Year: 1861

Resolutions OF the OntOn DeAhoCAhhc


State Convention.


The following resolutions were adopted by
the Union Democratic State Convention, on
Saturday last


WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever
been the party of fealty to free Government and
fraternal devotion to the rights of the States of
the Union, and of unwayering fidelity to the
Laws, the Constitution the Union, and the
Country, ready to maintain them by all proper
means and at every sacrihce;.


And Whereas, The country is now defending
itself against a war without justification, or de-
cent excuse, waged upon itby treasonable COM
binations, claiming to represent certain States
claiming to have seeded from the Union, which
is manifestly war for the invasion Of our Ma
tional Capital, for the overthrow of our Nation
al Government, the oppression of the loyal
States, the subjugation of the Union; a war to
humble in the dust our National Flag; to
wrench from the American people their Consti-
tutiOnal rights of determining for themselves
their own policy, foreign and domestic, and to
blot them out from the class of the great pow
ers of the world;


And whereas, Such war, so aggressive in its
character, and so deadly in its purposes, forces
upon the country an issue which can be met
but in one way, by any people having the com





an existence as a nation therefore be 1t unan-
imously resolved by this Convention,


lst, That at this time, when the country is
resisting war of aggression and destruction,
indifference is impossible to the patriot, and
neutrality is cowardice if not premeditated dis
loyalty.


3D. That the people Of California in the past
have been most anxious for peace Throughout the
land, and will hail with joy an honorable ad-
iustment in the future at the same time they
are above all things for the Union, the country
and the flag, against all assailants, no matter
who they are, whence they come, or with what
power armed.


Sd. That in this great crisis of the American
nation and name, our State will always, as
heretofore, faithfully discharge her constitution
al obligation to the Union and Federal Gov
ernment, and as in duty bound will earnestly
sustain the constituted authorities at Washing
ton in all measures necessary to defend and
protect either against this most unjustifable
and unnatural war.


4th. That in the name Of the loyal people of
the State of California we demand of the Gene
raj Government, by all its power, to protect
their lives and property on the high seas, be-
tween this coast and the Atlantic, from the pi-
ratical flag which already threatens injury, and
would infict destruction on both


5th. That in the present overwhelming crisis
he who would seek, by reviving past partisan
issues, to distract the people or to wrest from
their honest and patriotic devotion, some sor-
did partisan advantage, is not true to the coun-
try nor worthy the name of an American citi-
zen.


9th. That we hold our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government; that the
right of State secession is dangerous heresy,
inevitably destructive of our form of Govern
meEt.


7th. That obedience to the constitutional will
of majorities is the only safeguard of Republi-
can Governments that we will uphold the con-
stituted authorities, under all circumstances
and at all hazards, in maintaining Federal ju-
risdction in its sphere, regardless of what party
may be in power.


8th. That Governments are political organi-
cations armed with coercive power, without
which they cannot exist that 1t is not only no
assumption of power upon the part of Govern
ments, but their positive duty, to exercise such
coercive power in order to maintain themselves
against foreign invasion or domestic rebellion.


9th. That we trace the causes through which
the present rebellion has been accomplished TO
the existence of sectional political parties in
the country; one founded upon anti-slavery,
the other pro-slavery-both equally anti-demo-
cratic and destructive of the peace, harmony
and prosperity of the country; that it is the du-
ty of the Union Democratic Party to take a
strong conservative position in this hour of our
country's trial, and rallying around our Nation
al flag, present IN unbroken front to all sec
tional agitation.


10th. That as Californians we appeal ito the
whole people of California, without distinction
of party OF reference to partisan issues, to
stand by our country and our flag, that all may
know that the great Union Democratic party
Of California is the Overpowering majority Of
our citizens.