Daily national Democrat., 1861-07-11
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever bee
the party offealty 10 free government and fratei
nal devotion to the rights of the States of th
Union, and Of unwavering fidelity to the laws th
Constitution, the Union, and the country-read
TO maintain them by all proper means and a
every sacrifice
And whereas, The country is now defending il
self against war without justification, or decen
excuse; waged upon it by reasonable combna.
tons claiming to represent the people of certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which is manfestly war for the invasion of
our National Capital: for the overthrow of our
National Government the oppression of the loyal
States the subjugatlon of the Union n war to
humble in the dust our National flag; to wrench
from the American people their constitutional
rights of determining for themselves their own
policy, foreign and domestic, and TO blot them out
from the class OF the great powers of the world;
And whereas such war, so aggressive in its
character, and so 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
stnct OF selfpreservation, or worthy of an exist
ence as nation;
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
|. That at this time, when the country is resist
ing war of oppression and destruction, indifler-
ence is impossible to the patriot, and neutrality is
cowaTdice, if not preneditatcd disloyalty.
2. That the people of California in the past have
and will hail with joy an honorable adjustment in
the future; at the same time they are, ab0ye al
Mtngs, for tie UNION, the Country and the Flag
against al assallants-no matter who they are
whence they come or w0h s0hat 1,oacer ayned.
3. That IN this great crisis of the American ma
ton and name our State will always. as hereto
fore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obi.
cations 10 the Union and the Federal Govern.
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 unjustliable and un-
natural war
4. That IN the name of the loyal people of Cali
fornla, we demand of the General Government
by all ITS power, to protect their lives and propcr
ty on the high seas, between this coast and the
Atlantic, from the piratical flag which already
threatens injury, and would ntot destruction on
both
y ihat in the present whoin1ins u iois, 'io
VINO would Seek by revlving past partisan Issues,
to distract the people, or to wrest from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage, is not true to the country, nor worthy
the name ofan American citizen.
8. That 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 Government
7. That obedience to the constitutional viii OF
majortles is the only safeguard of Republican
Governments that we will uphold the constitu-
ted authorities, under all 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 organza-
tlons, armed with coerclve power, without which
they cannot exist that it is not only no assump-
tion of authority upon the part of Governments,
but their positive duty to exercise such coerclve
power, in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign invasion or domestic rebellion.
8. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished, to the ex
istence of sectional political parties in the coun
try, one founded upon anti.slavery, the othel
pro-slavery, both equally anti-Democratc and de
structive of the peace, harmony and prosperity o.
the country that it Is the duty of the Union Dem
ocratic party 10 take strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour of our countrys trial, and
rallying around our National Flag, present ar
unbrOken front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as Cafornians, we appeal to the whole
people of California, without distinction of party
or reference to partisan issues, to stand with ut
by our country and our flag, that all may know
that the great Union Democratic party of Califor
nia is the overpowering majority other citizens.