The mountain Democrat., 1864-05-21

ton which embodied and established the
wisest and best Government the world
ever saw, and which has been the parent
Of unnumbered blessings to the people
over whom it extended its bene6cent
sway, hangs trembling in the balance, ard
feeling so they resolved, by constitutional
means, to wrest the Government from the
hands Of those who are seeking its sub.
version.
At 19 o'clock, NJ, Hon. James W. Cof-
froth, ChairmHu Of the State Central
Committee, called the Convention to or
der, and in brief and felicitous manner,
addressed it. Immediately after Hon.
John B. Weller was elected temporary
Chairman, and Harry Linden temporary
Secretary. A Committee on Credentials,
composed Of one delegate from each coun.
ty, was appointed, and the same commit.
tee was instructed to report the names Of
suitable persons for permanent officers Of
the Convention. The Committee reported
delegates present from all the counties, ,ex-
cept Mono and San Mateo; and reported
as permanent off1cers-President, Hon.
John B. Weller; Vice Presidents, Col. j.
b. Crockett, G. NJ. Creanor, NJ. Whalon,
P. W. S. Rayle, w. X. Lindsey and G.
D. Semple; Secretaries, Harry Linden
and Col. Thos. Hays. The report was
adopted by acclumation, and Col. Weller,
thanking the Convention for electing him
to preside over its deliberations. took the
Chair.
After the permanent organization OF
the Convention, Committce-composcd
of one delcg gate from each county-was
appointed on resolutions and order Of bu-
siness, with instructions to report to the
Convention at o'clock Wednesday morn.
ing. The Convention then adjourned till
z o'clock P. NJ, to attend mass meeting
Of the Democracy of San Francisco.
Long before the hour of meeting the
streets leading to Union Hall were throng.
ed with the sterling Democracy Of San
Francisco, and when the meeting was
called 10 order, at o'clock P. NJ, every
part Of the vast hall was occupied. Such
a meeting, so enthusiastic, resolute and
defiant, was encouraging to the Democra.
cy and depressing to the tools Of power.
1t manifested, in manner not to be mis-.
taken, that the people were at last aroused
and resolved to rebuke party which is
endeavoring to deprive them Of their lib
critics and place the negro upon an equal
ity with them. Forcible and eloquent
speeches, which elected the widest en-
thusiasm, were made by Messrs. Barber,
Coffroth and Sawyer, and at II o'clock,
with three deafening cheers for the sue
cess of the Democratic party, the meeting
adjourned.
The Convention reassembled at 10 O..
clock Wednesday morning. Col. Crock
ett, from the Committee on order of bu.
sincss and platform, submitted report
on order Of business, which was adopted
and then read the platform, as follows;
Resolved. That the Democracy OF the State OIL
| California in favor OF unalterable adherence
to the Constitution Of the United States, with ali
its guarantees of civil liberty unimpaired.
Resolved, That we in favor of the restora.
tion of the whole American Union that we recog.
nize to its fullest extent the right and duty Of the
government to resist by constitutional mode rebel
lion or inSurrection against its law full supremacy
but recognize that right solely for the purpose,
of restoring its constitutional authority and for
| other purpose whatsoever.
Resolved, That it iS the dnty Of the State o.
| California, as q member OF the Union, to yield
obedience 10 all constitutional acts Of Congress and
the Federal Executive, and that any individual, o
any party, who shaM endeavor 10 incitc insurrec
tiOH rebellion within her borders, diSaectioE
and discOrd among her people, is a traitor to hei
| be ct interests.
Resolved, That the aim and object Of the Dem.
cratic party is to preserve the Federal Union and
the rights ofthe several States unimpAired; and
they hereby declare that they do not consider the
administrative usurpation Of extraordinary anc
dangerous powers not granted by the Constitution
the subversIon Of the civil by the military law ir
States not in insurrection or rebeon-the arbi
!
sentence Of American citiIens in such Statei
where civil law exists in full force and reign
| the suppression of freedom Of speech and Of the
press-the open and aVOwed disregard Of State
| rights-the fanatical attempt to place the Negro
on social and political equality with the white
race-and the employment Of unusual test oathi
| as calculated to preserve or restore union o.
the several States or perpetuate government
- deriving its just powers from the consent Of thG
governed"
Resolved, That we are opposed to all secret po
litioa organizations and societies, as dangerous
to the liberties of the people and destructive tC
our republican form Of government.
| Resolved, That we claim and demand as inalien
able rights, freedom Ofthought, freedom Of speech
and freedom Of the press and further declare that
government agents should at all times be held to
strict accountability to the people, and that al
errors Of such agents should be liable to the full
and free discussion for the purpose Of correction by
the ballot-bOx.
| Resolved, That we deAounce and unoualifedly
condemn the EDancipaI Iion Proclamation of the
President Of the United States as tending to pro-
tract indefinitely civil war, incite serve insurrec
tion, and inevitably close The door forever to
toTstion Of the Union Of these States.
Resolved, That we dissppreve Of all Congress
sional laws tending to substitute paper currency
in CalifO' mia in place Of our own metallic eircula
ting medium.
Resolved, That the spirit and meaning Of the
Democratic Platform Of this State are comprised
in the words, " The Constitution as it is and the
Union as 1t was"
Resolved, That, In the opinion OF this Conven
tion, the war as at present conducted by the Abo-
lition party, is not prosecuted in a manner to
store the Union, nor with any expectation that il
will have that result the contrary the object OF
those in power is simply to abolish slavery, and in
the event that they succeed in this 10 revolutions
iIe the Government, and establish a centralized
power utterly subversiYe Of the rights of the
States under the Constitution.
Mr.. Street offered the following amend
ment to the above resolution, which was
accepted by the Committee:
That we hope and believe the National Conven-
tiOn will pledge the Democratic party to a restora-
ton Of peace upon just aud honorable terms.
Resolved, That tine Democratic party Of this
State are opposed to the taxation Of the mines by
the Federal Government, believing that 1t will tend
materially 10 repFesS the energy and enterprise
With which the mining population are now devel-
opinE the resouroes Of the eountry-be detrimental