The weekly Butte record., 1862-06-07
Platform Adopted by the Union Demo
cratic State Convention Of 1861.

WHEREAS. the Democratic party has ever
been the party of fealty TO free government
ard fraternal devotion 10 the rights Of states Of
the Union, and Of unwavering fdelity to the
laws. the Constitution. the Union and the
conntry-ready 10 maintain them By all proper
means aud at every sacrifice
And whereas, The country is now defending
itself against q war without Justification, or
decent excuse waged upon it by reasonable
combinations claiming to represent the people
Of certain States claiming to have seeded from
the Union-wtieh is manifestly war for the
invasion OF our National Capital; for the
overthrow Of our National Government the
oppression Of heloyal States: the subjugation
of the Union q war to humble in the dust our
National flag 10 wrench from the American
people their constitutional right Of deiermin-
ing for themselves their own policy, foreign
aud domestic. and TO blot them out from the
class OF the great powers OF the world
And whereas such war, so aggressive 10 lis
character and 50 deadly in its purposes, forces
upon the country an issue which can be met
but in one way By any people having the com
mon instincts of selfpreservati0n, or worthy Of
an existence as a nation;
Therefore. be it unanimously resolved by
this Committee,
l. That al this time, when the country is re-
sisting with all its might war OF invasion and
destruction, Indifference IS impossible to the
patriot and neutrality is cowardice, if not pre-
meditated disloyally.
.. That the people of California in the past
have been most anxious for peace throughout
the land and will hail with JOY an honora bic
adjustment in the future at the same time
they are ADORE all MmgS, for the Onion, the
Country and the Flag. AGAINST all assalants-
no matter who they are. whence they come or
nth lrbat potrer armed.
3. That in this great crisis of the American
nation and name, our State will always, as
heretofore, faithfully discharge her constitu-
tional obligations to the Union and the Federal
Government, and as in duty bound, will earn
estlv sustain the constituted authorities at
Washington IN all measures necessary to defend
and protect either against this most unjustifa-
BILE and unnatural war.
4 4. That in the name Of the loyal people of
1 California, we demand of the General Govern
ment, by all its power, TO protect the lives and
/ property on the high seas, between this coast
and the Atlantic, from the piratical flag which
already threatens injury, aud would infilct de-
struction on both.
/ 5. That all former partisan differences are
lost in the present overwhelming crisis and
he who would seek, by reviving them. TO dis
tract the people, or to wrest from their honest
and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
/ advantage, is not true to the country, nor
worthy OF the name of American citizen.
6. That We hold that our paramount allegi-
ance is due the Federal Government that the
right of State secession is a dangerous heresy.
inevitably destructive to our form OF Govern
ment.
/ :. That obedience to the constitutional will
of maiorities is the only safeguard of RepublI-
can Governments that we will uphold the
constituted authorities, under all circumstances
and at all hazards. in maintaining Federal
jurisdiction 10 any sphere, regardless of what
party may be in power.
s. That Governments are political organza-
tionS. armed with coercIve power, without
which they cannot exist that it is not only
no assumption of authority on the part of Gov
ernments, but their positive duty to exercise
such coercive power, in order to maintain
themselves against either foreign invasion or
domestic rebellion
9. That we can trace causes through which
the present rebellion has been accomplished, to
the existence of sectional political parties in
the country, one founded upon antislavery, the
other pro-sayery both auti-Democra1ic and
destructive OF the peace, harmony and prosperity
of the country that it is the duty Of the
Union Democratic party to take strong con
seryatiye position in this, the hour of our conn
trys trial. and ralying around our National
+ flag present an uubfoken front to all sectional
agitation.
10. That as CaIfornians, 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 California is the overpowerlng ma
iority of her citizens.