Daily national Democrat., 1861-09-07
Platform adopted by The Union Demo-
cratic Stale Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS The Democratic party has ever been
tie party rt ieaI'y To- free government and frater-
nal devotion 20 the rights Of the States If the
Union and Of unwaverIug fidelity 20 the laws, the
Constitution, the Union, and The country-ready
To maintain them 10y all proper means and at
every sucrIHce
And whereas Tie country is now defending it.
sell against q war without justification, decent
excuse; waged upon 1t by reasonable combine
tons claiming tu represent the people of certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which is mAnicstly war for the invasion If
our National Copital: for The overthrow Of our
Natioual Government the oppression Of the loyal
states the Subiugltlun Of the Union u war to
humble IN the dust our National hag; to wrench
from tie American poup.e their constitutional
nights Il determining for themselves their own
policy, 'orcign aud domestic, and 10 blot them out
from the class It the great powers of the world;
And whereas such war, 50 aggressive its
character, and SO deadly in its purposes, frces
upon the country an issue which can be met but
100 one way bv any people having the common in
s'mct OF seitPrcservaton, or worthy Of sn exist
tuCr as "A uUuuu;
Therefore, u It unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
That al this ,jme when the country is resist
ing war Of ulprpsaIon and destruction, ind lffel
euce is impossible to the patriot, and neutrality is
coward &c, It not prymt ditated dI7oyaltv.
9. That the people oi California in the past have
been most anxious for Tcac- tlrDulhUut the land
and viii bail with JOY an honorable adjustment u
the titurei at the same time they are, aGoge all
things, Per Me Union, the Country and the Flag
against all HSsal.uuts--Do matter who they are,
whence they come. or uiH uaat g,qoer drmcd.
3. That iu THIS great crsls of the American ia
ton aud name our State viii always, as hereto
lone, faithfully discharge hcr Constitutional obli-
CATIONS O. the Union aud the Federal Govern
ment md ns IN duty bound, will earnestly EHs-
tam the constituted authorities at Washington n
all measures necessary to defend and protect
either against this most uIjusudoble aud uu-
natural war
A. That iu the name Of he loyal people Of Cali
0rnm, we demand Ut the General Government,
ly all ts power, to protect their lives and proper
ty n0 the high seas, between this coast and the
Atantc, from the praticai flag which already
threatens injury and No1ij !u@.ct destruction on
both.
g. That 10 therrosaut overwhelming crisis, he
who would *, by reviying past partisan issues,
to distract thr pgol le, o. wrest from their hou-
est and patriotic devotion some sordiG partisan
advantage, Is not .rue GO The country, nor worthy
the uame "'Hn AwDH1.u cUzc1.
d That we hHid ihHt urr paramount allegiance
Is due to the FeIelHi Governments that the right
ot>iH'e cpssiau Is a dangerous h.resy, inevita-
bly, destructive Of our iorm - Government
+. That obedience 90 the constitutional will f
maiorues Is the only safe.gulFd Of Republican
Goyernmeutsj that Ve VII uphold the cunstitu-
ted authorities, under all circumstances and at all
hazards, IN miut0iuiuG Fedora, jurisdiction in its
sphere. regardless OF What PARTY way be in power.
3. That Governments ere paticai organiza.
uoas, armed with coercive power without which
they cannot exist; that 1t IS not only no assump-
ton HfautEori;Y upon the part Of Governments,
but Their positive duty tp exercise such cuerclve
power, in order to maintain themselves against
either lolelgn Invasion or domestic rebellion.
9. That We trace the causes through which tie
present rebelliuuh,s EN- accomplished, to the eT
lsteuce Of sectional political parties in the cour-
try, one founded upon ant-Sl0yery, the other
pro slavery, both equally ant Democratic and de-
Ntructve OF the peace, harmony and prosperity Of
The country; that it Is the dutY Of the Uui1n Dem
cratic larty 10 take strong conservative posi-
ton IN this the hour ofour country's trial, and
raiFng around our National Flag, present an
uubrokcu front 10 all sectional agitation.
10. That as Calornians, we apI eal to the whole
people Of California, without distinction of party
or reference to partisan issues to stand with US
by our country and our flag. that all NAV know
hat the great Union Democr tic party Of Calitor-
nm is the avefpowoelng minority OF her citizens.