Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-05-12
PROSP ECTU S
NH OF THE
"WASHINGToN SENTINEL
OF THE

MEL.
In doing so, it is proper should make known
the principles it will maintain, and the policy it
/ will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin-
ciplcs of the Democratic party Of the United States.
/ il does propose TO be the organ of any Depart
ment of the Government, except in so far as an in
/ dependent maintenance of the doctrines OF that
| party may represent its opinions and express its
i views.
/ It will not be ambitious to commend itselfto the
| people by blind fattery Of their rulers. II will
/ seek public support by the bold avowal OF the
| sentiments which are common to the genuine
| Democracy of the Union, and by the condemna-
/ ton of all such as may conflict with them, from
/ whatever quarter they may come. II will seek to
be and il viii endeavor to deserve the title) the
organ of the Democratic party Of the United
i States.
The SENTINEL will maintain, as fundamental
truth Of that great party that the States formed the
i Union between them by the ratification of the Con-
4 sttuton compact; by which, also they created
4 the Federal Government, and delegated TO II,
] as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in il, with an explicit reservation OF all
others to the States, to their separate govern
ments The exercise of any powers beyond these
| thus delegated, is therefore, nsurpation of the
| reserved authority Of the States by the agent or
| their own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis of the rights of the States--under
| the Constution-and thus by sedulousy guarding
the latter, it will the efIectually strengthen
| ana perpetuate the Iormef .ss 8sss.ts fstf ~
With regard to the exercise of the powers of the
/ Federal Government, the SENTINEL will take as
the principles of its action, that Congress shall ex
| ercise no power which has not been delegated by
| the Constitution, according to strict and fair in
depreciation of its language and spirit and that il
shall seek attain tadtyeetly obectth through
the exercise Of constitutional poioer, for the direct
attainment of which il has no delegation Of popcer
| In other words, all powers exercised must be
| clearly granted, and all granted powers must be
| lusad for no n q is
tended by the Constitution.
i In respect to the internal administration of the
Government, the SENTINEL will sustain the settled
/ policy of the Democratic party. 1t will labor to
inculcate this cardinal doctrine Of Democratic in
/ ternal policy:--that this Government win best
| promote the freedom and prosperity of the people
| of the States, by being less ambitious to exercise
power, and more anxious TO preserve liberty; and
| by leaving TO the individual States the manage
4 ment of all their domestic concerns-while it
tents itself with guarding the confederacy from
external violence, and directing the foreign policy
of the country to the promotion of the common
interests, and defence of the common rights, and
honor of the States composing it.
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy will suit itself to the exigencies,
and correspond with the expanding interests of the
country That policy should be energetic and de-
! cided; !; but should temper frmness with lberality
and make its highest ends consist with the strictest
principles of justice. The real interests of the
country, npen each occasion demanding attention,
pursue
The national policy of the world in this age is
ri essentially aggressive. In the growing sense OF
. weakness of some Of the nations of the Old World,
, and the ambitious restlessness of others, COM
> mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
! iself
Our settled determination to repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt 70 avoid il in the affairs Of other
tries, unless by their foreign colonial policy
peace should be threatened, security endan-
gered, our interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests of other nations prompt foreign
or colonial policy which infringes upon our rights,
and places in the pathway of our commerce a
dangerous and unfriendly rival such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance and, if need be, by
/ war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive
but TO be property deteaiSire it must sometimes be
/ apparently aggressive. Our administration should
be vigilant, watchful, and energetic The world
/ is full OF important movements, commercial and
| political, deeply concerning American trade and
American power. Il is time we had an American
i foreign policy. We must have il. We cannot
avoid it if we would We have larger interests, and
greater stake in the world and its destiny, than
| every other people. We occupy the best portion
i of a continent, with no neghbors but colony, and
a worn-out, anarchical dcspotsm. We are the
! only people whose own land, without colonial de-
tendencies, is washed by the two great oceans Of
the world. Our agricultural productions more
varied and more essential TO civilized life and to
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
/ resources more vast-our facilities and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
government A continent, 10 great extent,
| explored and exhaustless in its yet hidden wealth
is at feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our DOORS must
| be made through own limits. Europe, Asia,
/ Africa, and the isles of the sea, lying all around
! us, look TO us as the rising power through the
agency of whose example, and ever widening and
/ extending, though peaceful influences, the bless
i Of M are das
/ tined TO triumph the barbarism and superst-
/ ton of the millions of the world. And shall such
people refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission 10 which it is called?
/ A mission so full of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, if properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger of peace to
the world, as well the peaceful arbiter of its
& destiny.
and earnest foreign policy, such the condition OF
the country demands; but will advocate il under
the flag ofthe country--nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeachable good faith of the country. To
be respectable at home and abroad and TO be great
in the eyes of the world it must ask for nothing
but what is right, and submit TO nothing that y
wrong 1t must be liberal and maSnanlnous 20
| the rights of Others and firm and immoVeaDie IN
insisting on its own. Ii must, IN hne, be irue 10
its own interests rights and honor-it cannot then
/. be false 10 those of other nations; -,
: SILL ,bep is the chart by which we shall be
| ,;5aJ Ipdependent and free, we shall endeavor
! 10 be honest and truthful Inc true friends OF
! J.n,ocratc principles we shall cordially support
a',J deC,nd It's enemies in the field in ambush
zoe shall oppose, and on all proper occasions de-
: nounce.
To our future brethren of the press we extend
the hand of friendly greeting The Sentinel is the
rival of no press Of its own party--thc personal
enemy of none of the other
The present Democratic Administration has our
best wishes for its in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which tcame into power;
i and in its honest labors attain such end il
/ will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadIutor.
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