Year: 1862

been Tor the I Dion aDO Lle OODSlll0tlOn- ne
inauguration of the rebellion could not turn
them from their principles, nor the triumph Of
Republicanism seduce them from their allegi-
ance. Firm in their adherence and devotion
to the Union and Constitution, they so declared
in the last campaign, and SO they will declare
now.


Were the Republican and Breckinridge or
ganizations sincere in their public declarations
of loyalty 10 the Union, in their expressed
desires for the supremacy of the Constitution,
and for the formation of a Union party in Cali
fornia, why not meet upon some common Union
ground, like that put forth by the Democracy
last year? II they all mean Union, why not
have all the committees meet together upon
common Union ground and call Union Con-
vention? Do the Republicans imagine that
they can seduce loyal Democrats into their
sectional organization, which has been the hot
bed Of treason and rebellion? Do the Breck-
lnridge sympathizers suppose they can seduce
tue loyal Democracy into an endorsement of
resolutions favoring a recognition of the rebel
Government? If these parties are for the
Union let them proclaim it as the Democracy
of California did last year. If they desire a
union with the Democracy let them adopt the
Union platform of last year.


We publish the declarations Of the California
Democracy of last year. below. They will
stand by it now. 1t is common Union
ground upon which all are invited. They will
not change its essential declarations to please
the sectional sympathizers or views of any
party. They will cooperate with no party
except upon the well defined Union grounds
occupied by such patriots as Holt, johnson,
and the declarations of the Democratic Con-
vention of Rhode Island. Parties without
patriotism sufficient to endorse these positions,
have no views in common with the National
Democracy:


WHEREAS, the Democratic party has ever
been the party of fealty to free government
and fraternal devotion to the rights of states of
the Union and of unwavering fidelity to the
laws, the Constitution, the Union and the
country-ready to maintain them by all proper
means and at every sacrifice:


And whereas, The country is now defending
itself against war without Justification, or
decent excuse; waged upon it by reasonable
combinations claiming to represent the people
of certain States claiming to have seeded from
the UnlOn-wtich is manifestly war for the
invasion OF our National Capital; for the
overthrow of our National Government the
oppression of heloyal States; the subjugation
of the Union war to humble in the dust our
National flag to wrench from the American
people their constitutional right of determn-
ing for themselves their own policy, foreign
and domestic, and to blot them out from the
class of the great powers 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.
mon instincts of selfpreservation, or worthy of
an existence as nation;


Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by
this Committee,


|. That at this time, when the country is re-
sisting with all its might war of invasion and
destruction, indifference is impossible to the
patriot, and neutrality is cowardice, if not pre-
meditated disloyalty.


?. That the people Of California in the past
have been most anxious for peace throughout
the land, and will hail with joy ar honorable
adjustment in the future at the same time
they are ADORE all things for the Union, the
Country and the Flag, against all assailants-
no matter who they are, whence they come, or
pth tchat p0lrer armed.


3. That in this great crisis of the American
nation and name, our State will always, as
heretofore, faithfully discharge her constitu-
tional obligations to the Union and the Federal
Government, and as in duty bound, will earn
estly sustain the constituted authorities at
Washington IN all measures necessary to defend |
and protect either against this most unjuStiia- |
bic and unnatural war.


T. That in the name of the loyal people of
California, we demand of the General Govern
ment, by all its power, to protect the lives and |
property on the high seas, between this coast /
and the Atlantic, from the piratica flag which
already threatens injury, and would inflict de- /
structon on both.


D. That 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.


8. That we hold that our paramount allegi- |
ance is due the Federal Government that the |
right OF State secession is dangerous heresy, !
Inevitably destructive TO our form of Govern
ment.


I. That obedience TO the constitutional will
OF majorities is the only safeguard of Republl-
can Governments that We will uphold the
constituted authorities. under all circumstances
and at all hazards in maintaining Federal
jurisdiction in any sphere regardless of what
party may be in power.


s. That Governments are political organiza
tions, armed with coercive power without
which they cannot exist that it is not only
no assumption OF authority on the part of Gov
ernments but their positive duty to exercise
such coercise power, in order to maintain
themselves against either foreign invasion or
domestic rebellion.


y. That We can trace causes through which
the present rebellion has been accomplished. to
the existence Of sectional political parties iu
the country, one founded upon autislaverv. the
other pro-slavery, both anti Democratic and