The Shasta courier., 1861-08-17
Platform Adopted BY the Union Democratic
State Convention Of 1851,

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever bee,
the party of fealty free Government and fraterna
devotion to the rights Of the States Of the Union
and of unwavering fidelity to the laws, the Corsti
tuuon' tne mon and the country, ready TO main
tain them by all proper means and at cyerv saer;
! fee; and whereas, The country is now defendina
itself against war without justification or deeer
excuse, waged upon it by certain States CLAIMING
to have seeded from the Union, which Is mani.
testify war for the invasion of our National Cant
tai, for the overthrow of our National Government
the oppression Of the loyal States the subjugatiou
of the Unions war to humble in the dust our Ma
| tond hag-to wrench from the American people
their constitutional rights of determining for them
selves their own policy, foreign and domestic and
to blot them ont from the class of the Great Powers
of the world and Whereas such war, aggressive
IN Its character, and so deadly in its purposes
forces upon the country issue which can be met
but in one way by any people having the common
instinct OF selfpreservaton or worthy of an exist
ence as nation; therefore, be it unanimously re-
solved by this Convention,
l. That, at this time, when the country is resist
ing war of invasion and destruction Indifference
is impossible to the patriot and neutrality is cow
ardice, If not premeditated dsloyalfy.
2. 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 above all
things for the Union, the country and the flag.
whence they come, or with what power armed.
D. That, in this great crisis of the American Ma
ton and name our State will always as heretofore
faithfully discharge her constitutional obligations
to the Union and the Federal Government and, as
in duty bound will learnestly sustain the constituted
authorities at Washington in all measures necessary
TO dc1d ndprotect either against this unjus-
tifidbe and unnatural war.
4. That in the name of the loyal people of the
State of California we demand of the General Gov
ernmen by all its power, to protect their lives and
property on the high seas, between this coast and
the Atlantic, from the piratcal flag which already
threatens injury and would infliet destruction on
both.
D. That in the present overwhelming crisis he
who would seek, by reving past partizan issues to
distract the people, or to wrest from their honest
and patriotic devotion sordid partisan advan-
tage is not true to the country nor worthy of the
name of an American citizen
6. That we hold our paramount allegiance is due
to the Federal Government; that the right of State
secession is dangerous hercsy, inevitably dcstruc
tive of our form of Government.
Z. That obedience to the constitutional will Of
maJorities is the only safeguard of republican Gov
ernments; that we will uphold the constituted au-
thorities, under all circumstances and at all baz-
ards, in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere, regardless of what party may be in power.
.. That Governments are political organizations
armed with coercive power, without which they
cannot exist That it is not only no assumption of
authority upon the part of Governments, but their
positive duty. to exercise such coercive power in
order to maintain themselves against either foreign
invasion domestic rebellion
y, That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished to the ex
stence ofsectonal political parties in the country
one, founded upon antislavery, the other pro- sa-
very-both equally anti Democratic and destructive
of the peace, harmony, and prosperity of the coun
try; that it is the duty of the Union Democratic
party to take strong conservative position in this
the hour of our countrys trial. and rallying around
our national flag, present an unbroken front to all
sectional agitation.
TO- That as Calfornians we appeal 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 may know that the
overpowering majority of her citizens.