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

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party oftealty to free government and frater-
nal devotion to the rights of the States of the
Union, and Of unwayering fidelity to the laws, the
| Constitution, the Union, and the cUuntry-ready
to maintain them by all proper means and at
every sacrifice
And whereas, The country is now defending it.
self against war without justification, or decent
excuse; waged upon it by reasonable combna-
tions claiming to represent the people Of certain
States claiming TO have seeded from the Union
which is manlieStly war for the invasion of
our National Capital: for the overthrow of our
National Government; the oppression of the loyal
States (; the subiugation of the Union Il war to
humble in the dust our National flag; to wrench
from the American people their constitutional
ri ghts 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 sef-prcservatiUn, or worthy of an exist
ence as Il 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 indiiler-
cnce is impossible TO the patriot, and neutrality is
cowardicc, if not premeditated disloyalty.
| g That the people Of California in the past have
been most anxious forpeace throughout the land
and will hail with joy an honorable adjustment in
the future; at the same time they are, dbOCe dU
MjHgS, for tie UNION, the Country and the Flag,
against all assailants-no matter who they are,
whence they come or IgM aoRat poloer ayHled
3. That in this great crisis Of the American ma
tion and name our State will always, as hercto-
fore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obli-
cations to the Union and the Federal Govcrn-
ment and as in duty bound will earnestly sus-
tain the constituted authorities at Washington in
all measures necessary to defend and protect
nc p,n.t ,l
natural war.
4. That in the name of the loyal people of Cali
fornia, 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 iutl!ct destruction ON
both.
| 5. 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 fan American citizen.
G. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government; that the right
of State secession is dangerous heresy, inevita-
blv destructive of our form OF Government
7. That obedience to the constitutional will Of
mai critics is the only safeguard of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the cunstitu
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 organizl-
tions, 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 coercive
power in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign invasion or domestic rebellion
9. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished, to the eA
istence of sectional political parties in the coun
try, one founded upon anti-savery, the Other
proslavery, both equally ant-Democratc and de
structive of the peace, harmony and prosperity Of
the country; that it Is the duty of the Union DEM
ecratic party to take a strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour of our countrys trial. and
rallying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as Cailfornians 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 CalilOr-
MIA is the overpowcring majority finer citizens.