Year: 1861

Resolutions adopted by the Democratic State


Central Committee Mdg s, 1861,


WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever
been the party of lealty 10 free government
and fralernal devotion to the rights Of the
States Of the Union, aud Of unwaverng fidelity
to the laws, The Constitution, the Union, and
the couniry-ready TO maintain them by all
proper means and at every sacrince


And whereas The country Is now defending
itself against war without Justification, or
decent excuse waged upon u by certain Sc
eeded States-which is manilestly a war for
the invasion Of our National Capital; for the
overthrow Of our National Government the
oppression Of the loyal States the subjugatlon
OF the Union q 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 aud
domestic, and to blot them out from the class
Of the great powers Of The world


And whereas sgeh war, 50 aggressive.in its
character and so deadly in It's purposes, forces
upon the country an issue which can be met
but in one way by any people having the
common instinct OF sell preservation, or worthy
of an existence as a nation;


Therefore be it unanimously resolved by
this Committee,


/. That at this time, when the country is
resisting with all its might war of invasion
and destruction, Indifference is impossible to
the patriot, aud neutrality is cowardice, if not
permediiated disoyaity


2. That the pc lpe Of California in the past
have been most anxlous for peace throughout
the land, and viii hail with Joy an honorable
adjuslmen. in the future at the same time
they are, oJore oH things, for the UNION, the
Country and the Flag, against all assailants-
no matter who they are, whence they come, or
qglh lrhat poUer armed.


4. nat ia this great crisis of the American
nation and uame our State will always, as
heretofore, faithfully discharge her Constitu-
tional obligations to the Union and the Fed
eral Government and, as in duty bound, will
earnestly sustain the constituted authorities at
Washington in all measures necessary to defend
and protect either against this most unjustiGa-
Bile and unnatural war.


A. That in the name Of the loyal people Of
California, we demand of the General Govern.
ment, by all lis power, to protect their lives
and property on the high cas-, between this
coast and the Atlantic from the piratical flag
which already lhreatens injury, and would in.
fiict destruction on both.


>. hat 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 as Calitoniaus, 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 cur flag, that all
may know that the great Union Democratic
Party Of California is the oyefpowering major
ity Of her citizens.


T. That with these views we cordially invite
all patriotic men, who hold these sentiments,
to meet in Convention at Sacramento, on the
Fourth day Of July next, at Y clock, to
nominate candidates to be supported at the
ensuing election; aud We recommend in the
election Of delegates. that the only test be
approval Of these resolutions and willingness TO
support the candidates nominated


g. That the people oil each county be re-
questcd to meet IN Convention in their respect
i've counties, upon the 18th day Of June next,
for the purpose OF eleeting delegates to the
Convention in such manner as they may deem
proper


O. That the basis Of representation in the
State Convention be one delegate for each
county, and one delegate for each 80 votes,
which gives The following representatives;