Daily national Democrat., 1861-08-18
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party offcalty to tree government and frater-
nal devotion To the rights Of the States Of TIE
Union, and Of UnwaverlnG fidelity to the laws. the
Constitution, the Uuiou and the country-readv
to maintain them by all proper means aud at
every sacrifice
And Whereas The country is now defending it.
self against war without justification, or decent
excuse wdgeG upon il by treasuuable combIna-
tons claiming TO represent the people of cettnin
States claiming 10 have seeded from the Union
which is maniiastly a war for the invasion of
our National Capital: for the overthrow Of our
National Government the oppression Of the loyal
States the subiugation Of the Union Il war To
humble in the dust our National hpg; to wrench
| from the American people their constitutional
| rights Of determining for themselves their own
policy, foreign and domestic, and 70 blot them out
from the class Of the great powers of the world
And whereas such war, aggressive IN its
character, and SO deadly in its purposes, frces
! upon the country an issue which can be met but
in one way by any people having the common in.
stInct ol self preservation, OF worthy of exist
ence as nation
Therefore, Re i. unanimously resolved By this
Convention.
l. That at this time, when the country is resist.
ing war OF oppression and destruction, indtfer-
ence is impossible to tie patriot, and neutrality is
cowardice, u not premedtated dsloyaltv.
q That The people OF California in the past have
been most anxious for peace throughout the land
and WIN hail with JOY an honorable adjustment in
the future; at the same time they are a50re all
things, far tie UNION, the Country and the FLAG
against all assailants-no matter who they are,
whence they come or WiH Wtat pOl0eg arack
Q. That in this great crisis of the American ma
ton and name orr State viii always, es hereto
sore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obli-
cations to the Union and the Federal Govero
ment, and, as in duty bound, will earnestly sus-
tam the constituted authorities at Washington IN
all measures necessary to defend and protect
either against this most unjustifable and un-
natural war.
4. That in tie name Of the loyal people Of Cali
fornla, we demand Of the General Government
by all its power, to protect their lives and proper
ty on the high seas, between this coast and the
Atlantic, from the piratica flag which already
threatens injury, and would iuflict destruction on
both.
s. That in the present Overwhelming crisis he
who would seek. by revving past partisan issues,
to distract the peoI le, o. to wrest from their hon.
est and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage, is not true to the country, nor worihy
the name otan Amer can citizen.
3. 1hat we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government that the right
OF State secession is dangerous heresy, inevlta-
bly, destructive Of our form of Governments.
7. That obedience to the constitutional will of
majorihes is the only safeguard Of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the consttu-
ted authorities, under all ccum Stances end At all
hazards, IN maintaining Federal Jurisdiction in its
sphere. regardless a' what party may be in power
8. That Governments are political organizl-
tons, armed with coe.cve pGWe-, without which
they cannot exist thatit is not only no assump-
ton OF authority upon the part of Governments, |
but tEel" positive duty TO exercise such coerclve
power, IN order 10 maintain themselves against
either foIeign INVASION or domestic lebellion.
O. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been ACCOMPLISHED. to the ex-
istence OF sectional political parties in the couu-
try, one founded upon auti-sluyery, the other
proala7ery, both equally anti Democratic and de-
structive ot the peace, harmony and prosperity Of
the country; that 1t Is the duty of the Uni6n Dem
ocratlc arty to take = strong conservative posi-
ton IN this the hour Of our country's trial, and
F"IiNlng around oGr National Flag, present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation
10 That as CalIforuians, we appeal to the whole
people of Califruia, without distinction of party
or reference to partisan issues, to stand with US
by our country aud our dag, that all may know |
that the great Union Denocr tic party of CalitOr-
MIA is the overpowering majority Of her citizens.