Daily national Democrat., 1861-08-03
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention of 1881

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party orEalty to free government and Irater-
nal devotion to the rights Of the States Of the
Union, and OF uuwaveriug fidelity 60 the laws, the
Constitution, the Union, and the county-ready
to maintain them by all proper means and at
every sacrifice;
And whereas, The country is now defending t.
self against "a war without justification, or decent
excuse; waGed upon il by treasonable combine
tions claiming to represent the people Of certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Uulou
which is manltestlv war for the invasion of
our National Capital for the overthrow of our
! National Government the oppression of the loyal
States the subjugaton Of the Union Il war t.
! humble in the dust our National !ag to wrench
from the American people their constitutional
rights Of determining for themselves their own
| policy, foreign and domestic, and 10 blot them out
from the class the great powers of the world
And whereas s(ch war, so 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
stnct Of scltpreservation, or worthy o. an exist
ence nation;
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
l. That at this time, when the country is resist
ing war of oppression and destruction, ndfer-
enCe is impossible to the patriot and neutrality is
cowardcc, if not premeditated disloyalty
.. That the people of California in the past have
been most anxious for peace throughout the land
and will hail with joy an honorable adjustment in
the future; at the same time they are, a50Ce a1
EiiHgs for the UNON, the Country and the Flag,
against AL asslants-nO matter who they are,
whence they come, or tcita yohd' po1cer drme}
3. That in this great crisis Of tine American ma
ton and name our State will always, as hereto
Ile, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obl-
cations to the Union ard the Federal Govern-
ment, and, as IN duty bound, will earnestly sus-
tain the constituted authorities at Washington IN
ft, 81
either against this most unjustiable and uu-
natural war.
4. That in the name Of the loyal people of Cali
furnia, we demand Of the General Government,
by all its power TO protect their lives and proper
tv on the high seas, between this coast and the
Atlantic, from the pratical flag which already
threatens injury and would inGict destruction on
both.
5. Thrt in the present overwhelming crisis he
who would seek, by reviving past partisan issues,
to distract the people, o. 10 wrest from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage is not true to the country, nor worthy
the name Of an American citizen.
s. That VIC hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government; that the right
Of State secession is dangerous heresy, ireylta-
bly, destructive of our form Of Government
7. That obedience to the constitutional viii Of
maj0nhes is the only Safeguard Of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the cOnstitu-
hazards, in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere regardless Of what party may be in power.
&. That Governments are political orgauiza-
tiOns, armed with cOerClvc power, without which
they cannot exist that it is not only no assump-
ton Of authority upon the part Of Governments,
but their positive duty TO exercise such coercve
power, in order TO maintain themselves against
either foreign invasion or domestic lebelliOu.
Q. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebeIlionhas been accomplished, to the ex
istence Of sectional political parties in the coun-
try, one founded upon auti.slayery, the other
pro slavery, both equally anti-Democratc and de
structiye of the peace, harmony and prosperity Of
the country; that it Is the duty Of the Union Dem
ocrac arty 70 take a strong conservative posi-
tion in this the hour of our cOuntry's trial, aud
rallying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as Caltornans, we appeal 10 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 oil may know
that the great Union DemOcr tic party OF Caior-
MIA is the overpowering majority Of her citizens