Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-09-24
oUn POSITION AND OUR PURPOSES

Our prospectus has been for some time be-
fore the American people. The press of the
country has kindly aided US in giving it an
extended circulation. 1t 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 Of none Of
our opinions
Having full confidence in the ability, ine-,
rity, and 6rmness of the present Chief Ma rs
trate based as well upon the declarations of
his admirable inaugural address al upon his
decided and consistent career "a a politician
it is our intention to give his administration
hearty but Independent support More than
that our selfrespect would not permit us to
do; AID We have studied his character in vain
if more than that would be acceptable to him
from US or from any one.
we claim to be free from those trammels
and obligations that too often, perhaps, inau,
ence the political press that sometimes subdue
1t into servile silence when it. Christening voice
should be most distinctly heard. and at other
times evoke its loudest tones when silence
would De most becoming.
The slave of no man, the tool of no faction.
the hired champion of no clique or coterie, we
present ourselves before the American people
as the friend of truth, order, the Constitution
and true democracy
Our relations both personal and political
are tree from enmities and asperities on the
one hand, and from favors and partiaIties On
the other We have no injuries to avenge-no
benefits to repay. We are in a position To
commend or to condemn, az right and Justice
may require
The present condition of the democratic
party IS one OF great interest. By its perseyer
ing labors, by its wisdom and its virtue and
by the attractive beauty of its principles, it
has drawn patriotic recruits without number
from the opposing ranks.
1t has inaugurated its President. II controls
the Senate chamber and the Representative hall.
Its ambassadors are at almost every conrt
A vast majority Of the State governments mn.
holds its banner; and its great measures of
public policy are in successful operation, vim.
dicating its wisdom and contounding its enemies
by an exhibition of national prosperity which
IS without parallel in history
Yet it would be grievous error to b.l.va
that formidable forces will not wage unceasiny
war against the Democratic party. A SIGNAL
triumph like that of November NAV At times.
disband and dishearten its foes bnt while the
spirit and feelings, and interests. which have
thus far opposed the progress of liberal prin.
cipies eonrive to exist, ii can not lay aside lis
armor or relax its discipline with safety.
Great, trtuous, and nnyicldino in adver.
sity, il should be greater, more yirtnous
more nnyleldlng, in its unevamped prosper
ity. ali minds cannot think precisely alike.
but to cLtain concert and cooperation little ne.
culiarlties and little differences must he soc,,;
hced 1t was thus that the preset greatness
OF our patriotic party was achieved. Founded
by these means, by the same means il NAV be
perpetuatad. Let Us look to i that ye do ma,
lose by folly what we gained BY wisdom: thai
we do not lose by dissension what we gained
b. concert.
Our humble efforts shall be directed "a The
preservation of the democratic party in Tho
spirit in which it was conceived, and on tba
basis upon which it was founded We ,bo,)
faithfully adhere to those time-honored princi.
pies which we have announced in our pros.
pectus, and shall treat rs enemies TO our fifth
all who seek to uproot its cherished tenets.
principles, or traditions. In regular warfare.
with gallant antagonists, We shall seek to en-
uiate the honorable courte sies of ancient
knighthood but in contests with re ckless and
outlawed foes We will show and will ask no
quarter.
To quicken the growth of this country. to
promote its legitimate expansion, TO aid in the
development of its resources, and to direct into
proper channels its industrial pursuits, our
efforts shall be dedicated. In doing this we
shall oppose monopolics class legislation, and
special privileges conferred BY government
through which labor has been denied its inst
rights, and capital has acquired undue advan-
tages.
Whilst claiming for the States all their rights
we shall coneede to the general government all
ats proper powers. Believing that the happiness
OF the people and the preservation Of the I, MON
depend on street construction of the Const;
tution, We shall oppose the exercise Of doubt.
fnl powers by the federal government. and
will encourage fraternal feelings between the
different members Of the confederacv, 50 that
the States may be bound together by common
hopes and common fears, and common des
tiny, and not BY unweicome bonds.
We desire TO soc firm, Just, and digni
fed American foreign policy gfes, sys
tenn suited 10 all exigencies and to the splendid
destiny of this colossal republic We should
respect the rights Of Other nations, and we
would claim a rigid observance cf our own.
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