Daily national Democrat., 1861-10-15
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS The Democratic party has ever been
the party OF iealty to free government and frater
nal devotion to the rights of the States Of the
Union, and of unwaverng fidelity 20 the laws, the
Constitution, the Union, and the country-read,
to maintain them by all proper means and
every sacrifice
And whereas. The country is now defending it
self against a war without justification, or decen.
excuse; waged upon 1t by reasonable combUu
uonS claiming to represent the people of certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which is manlestly a war for the invasion OF
our National Capital for the overthrow Of our
National Government the oppression of the loyal
States the subjugat0n 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 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 an issue which can be met but
in one way by any people having The common in
stnct OF Selt-preservation, or worthy of an exist
ence as a 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, mdiiler
euce is impossible to the patriot and neutrality is
cowardice, if not premeditated disovalty.
.. That the people Of California in the past have
been most anxious furpeace throughout the land
and will hail with joy an honorable adustment in
the future; at the same time they are, 050ye 0i
Things, tOr the UNION, the Country and the Flag
against all aSsailants-nO matter who they are
whence they come ar piH 1ch"t po,ee" a1Hed.
3. That in this great crisis of the American ma
ton and name our State will always, as hereto
fore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obli-
cations to the Union and the Federal Govern
ment and, as in duty bound, will earnestly Sus-
tam the constituted authorities at Washington N
I'll 4,, u
either against this most unjustihabe and un-
natural war.
4. That in the name of the loyal people of Cali
furnia, we demand of the General Government
10y all its power, to protect their lives aud proper
ty on the high seas, between this coast and the
Atlantic, from the pratical flag which already
threatens injury, and would intict destruction on
both.
B. That in the present Overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek. by revving past partisan issues,
to distract the peoI le, to 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.
g. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due (, the Federal Government; that the right
Of Safe secession is dangerous horesy, ineyita-
I oily destructive of our orm Of Government.
T. That obedience to the constitutional will OF
majorihes 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
s. That Governments are political organlzl.
! tious, armed with cocrcive 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 coerclvt
| power in order to maintain themselves against
| either foreign invasion or domestic rebellion.
| 8. That we trace the causes through which thC
present rebellion has been accomplished, to the ex
+ istence of sectional political parties in the couu
| try, one founded upon ant-Slayery, the othe
pro.slavery, both equally anti Democratic and dc
structiye Of the peace, harmony and prosperity O
the country; that it the duty Of the Union Dem
ocratic aarty to take a strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour Of our country's trial, ant
rallying around our National Flag, present al
unbroken front to all sectional agitation.
TO- That as Caliturnians, we appeal to the who'll
people of California without distinction Of part,
| or reference to partisan issues, to stand with u
by our country and our flag that all may know
that the great Union Democratic party Of Caliior
Mia is the overpowering. majority OF her clt2eus.