Year: 1859

The Democratic party of the State of California in Con-


yenton assembled make and publish their Platform


and Resolutions


l. Resolved That all just powers Of government are
derived from the peope that this principle is recognized
as fundamental BY all American Constitutions and by the
Democratic party


regulate their political institutions in their way sub
ect only TO the Constitution of the United States guar
anteed to Kansas and Nebraska by their organic law be-
longs alike to the people Of all other Territories oil the Uni
ted States.


g. Resolved That while we adhere to the fundamental
Democratic principles embraced in the Cincinnati Platform
Of 1856 especially and eafrm that principle
contained u the resolution known 1.-THE Popular Soye
reignty Resolution" declaring the true intent and mean
ing of that resolution to be- that the people Of State
Territory are invested with the right of ratying
ecng at the ballot box any Constitution that may be
framed for their government; and all attempts by the
Administration and Congress to and brbe the
pie into the adoption of particular Constitution not
thus ratified by them are subyersiye OF the principles
pure Democracy and destructive of the equality of the
States under the Constitution


a. Resolved That the recent attempts of the Executive
and Congress to upon the people OF Kansas Cons
tuition which they rejected at legal election is in
violation of the principles of the party which placed them
in power derogatory to the positions they occupy and
destructive of our form of government.


s. Resolped That regard with detestation the pas
sage bv Congress at its last session of the bill known
the English Bill" and look upon IT attempt to
brbo free people into the Endorsement of an odous Con-
stitution calculated to create sectional feelings and
cause sectional eaousies a violation of the Federal
compact: breach of the Compromises of the Constitution
and blow at the equality of the States, in that it propo
ses to make large donations of land and admit Kansas
into the Union as State without reference to her popula
ton she adopts the Lecompton Constitution, which
establishes slavery while refuses her people admission
until they obtain population Of ninety hundred
twenty thousand If they prefer any other than the
Lecompton Constitution.


g. Rssolued, That we heartily ndorse the action of
those members Of Congress who sustained 1.-THE Crtten
den Montgomery Bill and who opposed the English Bill
at the last session of that body.


Resolved That it Is the right OF the people OF the
States regulate in their way their political AFFAIRS
that Federal office holders servants of the people and
the constant interference by those servants with the pr
mary affairs of party, whether by OF dismissal
office by forced eves by the distribution of prom
ise and moneys the polls and elsewhere is incompat
BILE with the spirit of Constitutions State and Federal
subyerive of popular liberty and calculated to destroy
the sovereignty OF the states and cenaze power al 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 to
safety in and prosperity in peace. and we call
upon the Administration to redeem its pledges, and de
vote energies to the contamination Of this great work


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


TO- Resolved That relying implicitly upon the sound
and integrity of the principles above set FORTH and
upon the justice and intelligence of the present
this platform to the people of the State and earnestly IN
woke the active support Of all in its vindcaton and sue
cess cordially inviting to full and equal communion all
those of whatever creed who recognize the justice of
in the doctrines profess and who desire to par
| cpae in their triumph