Year: 1859

The Democratic party of the State Of California in Con-


vention assembled make and publish as their Platform
and Resolutions


l. Resolved That all just powers Of government are


derived from the people, that this principle is recognized
as fundamental by all American Constitutions and by the
Democratic party
reonIate their political institutions in their way, sub
ect only to the Constitution Of the United States
anteed to Kansas and Nebraska by their organic law oe
longs alike to the people Of all other Territories Oh tine Uni


5. RESOLVED That while we adhere to the fundamental
Democratic principles embraced In the Cincinnati Patorm
of 1856 we especially and re-afrm that principle
contained the resolution known "the Popular Sove
regnty Resolution" declaring the true intent and mean
ing of that resolution be- that the people of State
Territory are invested with the right Of ratying
jecting at the ballot box any Constitution that may be
framed for their government; and all attempts py the
and Congress to coerce and brbe the peo
pe into the adoption OF particular Constitution, not
thus ratified by hem are subversive OF the principles oil
pure Democracy and destructive Of the equality Of the


Resolce That the recent attempts of the Executive
and Congress to force upon the people of Kausas Const


tuition which they have rejected at legal election in
violation of the principles Of the party which placed them
in power derogaory to the positions they occupy, and
destructive of our form of government:


s. ResOlped, That regard with detestaton the pas
SAGE y Congress- at its last session. of the bill known
the English Bill" and look upon it attempt to
brbe free people into the Endorsement of odious Con-
stuton: as calculated to create sectional feelings and
cause sectional ealouses violation of the Federal
compact breach of the Compromises of the Constitution





ses 10 make large donations of land and admit Kansas
into the Union as State without reference to her popua
ton If she adopts the Lecompton Constitution, which
establishes slavery while 1t refuses her people admission
until they obtain population of ninety hundred
and twenty thousand they prefer any other than the
| Iecompton Constitution.


| g. Rssolued That we heartily ndorse the action Of
those members of Congress who sustained ths Critten-
den Montgomery Bill and who opposed the English Bill
| at the last session of that body.


T. Resolved That it is the right Of the people Of the
States to regulate in their way their political affairs
that Federal ocehoders servants of the people, and
the constant interference by those servants with the pr
mary affairs of party, whether by menaces Of dismissal
from Office by forced evies by the distribution Of prom
ses and moneys at the polls and elsewhere is incompa
BILE with the spirit of Constitutions State and Federal
subyerve of popular liberty and calculated to destroy
the sovereignty Of the States and cenraze power at the
Federal Capital.


s. Resolved That the immediate action Of Congress in
securing the construction of Railroad to the Pacific is
recognized feature in party policy, indispensable ia
safety in and prosperity in peace, and we cal
upon the Administration to redeem its pledges and de
its energies to the consummaton Of this great work


o. Resolved That regard with favor the bill before
Congress at its past session, known the Homestead
Bill which proposes TO donate to each actual settler up
pom the public lands of the United States hundred
and sixty acres and earnestly recommend the passage
| the same.


and integrity of the principles above set forth
upon the Justice and intelligence Of the masses present
this platform to the people of the State and earnestly
woke the active support of all in its yindcaon and sue
cess cordially inviting to full and equal communion al
those whatever creed who recognize the justice OF
in the doctrines profess and who desire to par
| cipate in their triumph.