Washington sentinel., 1853-12-17
Our Position and Our Purposes.

Our prospectus has been for some time before
the American people. The press Of the country
has kindly aided us in giving i an extended cir.
culation. II fully develops our principles, and
shall at all times be the chart by which we will be
guided. We have no concealments, for we are
ashamed ofnone Of our opinions.
Having full confidence in the ability, integrity,
and frmness Of the present Chief Magistrate
based as well upon the declarations of his admira
BILE inaugural address as upon his decided and
consistent career as politician il Is intention.
10 give his administration hearty but independ-
ent support. More than that our selfrespect
wonld not pesmit 10 do; and we have studied
his character in vain if more than that would be
acceptable 10 him from us or from any one.
We claim 10 be free from those trammels and
obligations that too often, perhaps, influence the
political press; that sometimes subdue il into
servie silence when its Christening voice should
be most distinctly hard, and at other times evoke
its loudest tones when silence would be most be-
coming.
The slave Of no man, the tool Of no faction, the
hired champion of no clique or coterie, we pre-
sent ourselves before the American people the
friend of TRUTH order, the Constitution and true
democracy.
Our relations, both personal and political, are
free from enmities and asperites on the one hand,
and from favors and partialities on the other We
have no injuries 10 avenge--no benefits 10 repay.
We are in position 10 commend or 10 condemn.
as right and justice may require
is one Of great interest. BY its persevering abors,
by its wisdom and its virtue and by the attractive
beauty Of its principles, has drawn patriotic
cruits without number from the opposing ranks
Il has ina,agurated its President. IL controls
the Senate chamber and the Representative hall.
It's ambassadors are at almost every court A vast
majority of the State governments upholds its
banner; and its great measures Of public policy
are in successful operation, vindicatng its wisdom
and confounding its enemies BY an exhibition of
national prosperity which Is without parallel in
history.
Yet il wond be grievous error TO believe that
formidable forces will not wage unceasing war
against the democratic party. "A signal triumph
like that of November may at times disband and
dshearten its foes, but while the spirit, and feel
ngs, and interests, which have thus far opposed
the progress of liberal principles contrye 10 exist
il cannot lay aside its armor or relax its discipline
with safety.
Great, virtuous, and unyiedng in adversely, it
should be greater, more virtuous, more unyield-
ing. in It's unexamped prosperity. All minds can
not think precisely alike but TO obtain concert
and cooperation. little pecularities and little diff
ferences must be sacrificed. II was thus that the
present greatness of our patriotic party was
achieved. Founded by these means. by the same
means II may be perpetuated. Let us look TO il
that we do not lose by folly what we gained by
wisdom; that we do not lose by dissension what
we gained by concert
Our humble efforts shall be directed TO the pre-
which il was conceived, and on the basis upon
which il was founded. We shall faithfully adhere
10 those time-honored principles which we have
announced in our prospectus, and shall treat as
enemies to our faith all who seek to uproot its
cherished tenets, principles, or traditions In re-
guar warfare. with gallant antagonists, we shall
seek to emulate the honorable courtesies of an
cient knighthood, but in contests with reckless
and outawed foes we will show and will ask no
quarter.
Toquicken the growth Of this country, to pro-
mote its legitimate expansion, to aid IN the deve-
opment Of its resources and TO direct into proper
channels its industrial pursuits, our efforts shall
be dedicated. In doing this shall oppose mon-
opolies, class legislation, and special privileges
conferred by government through which labor has
been denied just rights, and capital has acquired
undue advantages,
Whilst claiming for the States all their rights
we shall concede to the general government all its
proper powers. Believing that the happiness Of
the people and the preservation OF the Union de-
pend on strict construction Of the. Constitution,
we shall oppose the exercise Of doubtful powers
by the federal government, and will encourge fra
ternal feelings between the different members OF
the confederacy so that the States may be bound
together by common hopes and common fears, and
a common destiny, and not by unwelcome bonds.
We desire TO see firm, just, and dignfed Amer
ican foreign polcy-agreat system suited to all ex
igencies and to the splendid destiny OF this colossal
republic. We should respect the rights OF other
nmions, and we would claim rigid observance Of
our own. The change in the position OF the United
States requires in its bearing the rejection OF an
iiquated ideas, Of inapplicable maxims, and Of
hoary prejudices.
Whilst the SENTINEL" will be chiefly devoted
10 politics, u will yet strive 20 commend itseif 10
the general reader To science, art, literature, ag.
rcultnre and all the pursuits of industry, i viii
pay due attention. fs5s
Sensitively alive 10 the responsibilities OF our
position, we win cndeayor faithfully to dischaige
oar duties. Willingly, we will do wrong TO no
man, and we indulge the hope that no man will do
wrong 10 rs. To our brethren OF the press we
s::.!! he courteous and gentle. il in the heat OF
controversy we should Sometimes speak plainly,
we shall ever strive 10 avoid speaking rpdely.
We cpmmepce ppr career with kindly feelings to
nor shall il be opr fapll i lhose feelings abide
aii, - ~sa.
not with 10 ns 49,.
supreme Court Of the United States
THURSDAY, DecembeT 10, 1888.