The Placer herald., 1864-06-04
DEMOCRATIC STATE PLATFORM.
Adopted at San Francisco. May. 1854.

Resolred, That the Democracy of the State of
California are in favor OF an unalterable adhc-
renee to the Constitution of the United States,
with all the guarantees of civil liberty, unim-
paired
Resoiued, That are in favor of the restor-
alton and preservation of the whole American
Union and that we recognize to its fullest exten
the right and duty of the Government to resist
by every constitutional mode rebellion or nsur
rection against is lawful supremacy; but we re-
cognize the right solely for the purpose of restor
ing its constitutional authority, and for no other
purpose whatever.
ReSoiped That it is the duty of the State of
California. as member of the Union, to yield
obedience to all constitutional Acts of Congress
and the Federal Executive, and that any party,
who shall endeavor to incite insurrectOn or re-
bellion within her borders, dis.ffecton and
discord among her people, is traitor to the
best interests.
Resolped, That the aim and object of the Dem
ocratic party is to preserve the Federal Union,
and the rights of the several States unmpaired,
and they hereby declare that they do not con-
slider the Administration usurpation of extruor
binary and dangerous powers granted by the
constitution the subverSion of the civil by
military law in States not in insurrectionary re-
belion--t the arbitrary military arrest, imprison-
ment. trial and sentence Of American citizens in
such States where civil law exists in full force
and vigor-the suppression OF freedom of speech
aud Of the press the open and avowed disre-
gard of State rights the fanaical attempt 10
place the negro on social and political equality
with the white race and the employment of un-
usual test oaths-as calculated to preserve or
restore IA union of the several States or perpet-
uate Government deriving its just powers from
the consent of the governed.
RtS0Iped. That we are opposed to all secret
political Organization S and societies us dangerous
to the liberties Of the people and destructive of
a republican form Of government.
ReSOIyDR That u claim and demand inn
licnable rights. freedom of thought. freedom OF
speech and freedom Of the press. and further de-
clare that government agents should be at all
times be held at strict accountability to the
people, and that all errors OF such agents should
be liable TO the full and free exercise of untram-
meled popular discussion for the purpose Of cor
rection by the ballot box.
Res0lred. That we denounce and unqualiedly
condemn the Emancipation Proclamation of the
President of the United States. as tending to
proract Indefinitely civil war, excite scrvlc in
surrection, and inevitably close the door forever
to a restoration of 4 union OF these States
Resolved, That we disapprove of all Congress
sonal laws ten ling to substitute paper cur
rency in California in place Of our own metallic
circulating medium.
Resolved, That the spirit and meaning of the
Democratic Platform of this State are comprised
in the words, THE Constitution rs it is and the
Union us it was"
ResoIved, That in the opinion of this conven-
ton, the war as ut present conducted by the .Abo-
lition party. is not prosecuted in manner to re-
store the Union, (nor with any expectation that it
will have that resulD on the contrary. the object
of those in power is simply TO abolish slavery,
and in the event that they succeed in this to rev.
| outioniZc the Government. and establish a cen
tralzed power utterly subversive Of the rights Of
| the States under the constitution and that we
| therefore hope and bel eve that the National con-
venton will pledge the Democratic party to a
restoration OF peace upon Just and honorable
| terms.
Resolved. That the Democratic party of this
State opposed to the taxation of the mines 10y
| the Federal Government. believing that it will
tend materially to repress the energy and enter
| prise with which the mining population are now
developing the resources OF the country-be det-
rimental to the best interests of the State. and in
many instances will be simply an oppressive bur
den upon unproductive labor.
ResOiUed. That the increase OF the State tax by
the last Republican Legislature. aud their eXtrlv-
agant appropriation OF public money, when tn!
people were already overburthened with National
taxation. is conclusive evidence of tn" unftness
OF that party to control our State legislation.