Daily national Democrat., 1861-10-19
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention Of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party OF teaIty to free government and irater-
nal devotion to the rights of the States Of the
Union, and OF nwavering fidelity To the laws, the
Constitution, the Union, and the country-readv
to maintain them by all proper means and t
every sacrifice
And Whereas The country is now dcftndingit
sell against war without justification, or deccn,
excuse; waged upon it by reasonable comb!na,
tlons CLAIMING to represent the people Of certain
| States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which Is manlfesty a war for the invasion ot
our National Capital: for the overthrow of our
National Government; the oppression Of the loyal
States the sublugatiOn of the Union a 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 10 blot them out
from the class ofthe great powers of the world;
And whereas such war, so aggressive in its
character, and SO deadly in its purposes, frees
upon the country an issue which can be met but
in one way by any people having the common in
sunct OF seli-preseryaton, or worthy Of an exist
ence as a nation;
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved hv tbis
Convention,
l. That at this time. when the country is resist.
ing war OF oppression and destruction indnor-
ence is impossible to the patriot, and neutrality is
cowardice, If not preReditated disoyaltv
g That the people Of California in the past have
bSNh hbSt lui DNdCt throughout me illft.
and will hail with joy an honorable adustmcnt.in
the future; at the same time they are, aBocc aIl
things, for tile UNION, the Country and the Flag.
against all aSsaantS-nO matter who thev are
whence they come, ar 1ciH achat polcer alncL.
j. That IN this great crisis of the American ma
ton and name our state will always, q, hereto
fore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obl
cations to 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 ' defend aud protect
either against this M. ujustfable aud un
natural war.
A. That in the nam &. IT,. loyal people of Cali
tina, 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 piratcal flag which already
threatens injury and would iuGict destruction on
both.
3. That in the present overwhelming crisis. he
who would seek, by reviving 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.
=. Ihat we hold that our paramount allegiance
Is due to the Federal Government; that the right
OF State secession is dangerous heresy ineyita-
bly, destructive OF our form Of Governments
Z. That obedience to the constitutional will of
majoriues is the only safe guard of Republican
ted authorities, under all circumstances and at all
hazards in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere regardless Of what party may be in power
s. That Governments are political orgauza.
tons, armed with coercive 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 eoorcive
power, in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign INVASION or domestic rebellion
.. 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 auti-Slavery, the other
pro'slavery, both equally ant. Democratic and de.
structlve OF the peace, harmony and prosperity OF
the country that it Is the duty OF the Union Dem.
ocratlc party to take a strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour of our countrv's trial and
raIiying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as Calitornans, 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 great Union Democratic party of Califor.
MIA 10 the overpowerlng majority her citizens.