Daily national Democrat., 1861-10-02
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention Of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party OF eaIty to free government and iratar-
nal devotion to the rights of the States Of the
Union, and Of unwavering fidelity TO the laws, rhp
Constitution the Union, and the comtrv-readr
to maintain them by all proper means and
every sacrifice;
AND whereas Tie country is nowd .fandiaril
sell aga.ust war without Justification or dcc,a.
excuse; wa2ed upon il by tregsoreLie combine
tuas claiming to TepTcseut the ueubic of certain
States claiming 10 have seconded from the Union
which is maniieStly war for the invasion Of
our National Capital: for the overthrow Of our
National Government; the oppression Of the loyal
States the subugaton Of the Union q war to
! humble IN the dust our National iiag 10 wrench
from the American people their Constitutional
rights Of determining for themselves their own
policy, iOrclgn and domestic, and 10 blot them out
from the class Of the great powers Of the world;
And whereas such war, 50 aggressive in It's
character, and deadly in its purposes, forces
upon the country an issue which can be met but
IN one way by any people having the common in
stinct OF seipreServatlon, or worthy Of al exist
encc as a nation;
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
!. That at this time, when the country is resist.
ing a war OF oppression ana eztGucGon, inullier-
eucc is impossible to the patriot aud neutrality is
coTaTlice if not premcditated dlsloyalty.
2. That the people Of California in the past have
been most anxious torpeace throughout the land,
anu VIII nan WIN Joy an nnHtfDe Ii~IfuGut IN
the future; at the same time they are. 0b0sc MI
HiHgs for tie UNION, the Country and the Flag,
against all assallauts--nO matter who they are,
whence they come. 0r WN Wl1t polefy arDleR
g. That in this Frea, crisis uf the American ma
ton and name our State will always as hereto
loic, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obli-
cations TO the Union and the Fedar4l Govern
m,ut and as il ddty bound, VIII earnestly sus-
tain the constituted authorities at WASHINGTON IN
all measures necessary to defend aud protect
either against this most uujustiiiabe ana un-
natural war.
L. That in tie name Of the lovrl -co,le Of Cali.
flrula, 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 piratical flag which already
threatens injury, and would inlet destruction On
bold,
3. That in the presaut overwhelming crisis, lie
who would seek, by reviyng past partisan issues,
10 distract the people or 10 wrest rom their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage is not true 10 the country, nor worthy
the name tan American citizen.
g. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government; that the right
Of State secession is dangerous heresy, uevita-
blv destructive Of our Orm Of Government.
r. That obedience to the constitutional viii of
majoriues is the only safeguard Of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the c0nstitu-
ted authorities ulderal circumstances, and at all
hazards, in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere, regardless Of what party may be in power.
8. That Governments are political organiza-
tions, armed with coerclve power without which
they cannot exist that it Is not only no asSump'
ton If authority upon the part OF Governments,
but their positive duty to exercise such coerCiFe
power in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign invasion or domestic rebellion.
O. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished, To the ex
istence Of sectional political parties in the eouu-
try, one founded upon anti-slayery, the other
pro slavery both equally anti Democratic and de-
structive OF the peace, harmony aud prosperity Of
the country; that il Is the duty Of the Union Dem
ocratic party 20 take strong conservative posi-
ton IN this the hour Of our eouutry's trial and
r,dlyiug around our National Flag, present an
uubrokeu front TO all sectional agitation.
0. That AS Calliurniaus, we appeal 70 the whole
people ut Cali. Tnla without distinction ni party
or reference to partisan isSues, TO stand with US
By our country aud our flag, that All may know
that the great Union Democratic party Of Caiit'r-
MA Is the overpoweriug majority Of hel cluzess.