Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-12
PROSPE G TU S
aWAsHINGTON SENTINEL"

NV ASHlNNrlONS SAIN
II PROPOSE to publish in the city of Washing
der the name of the WASHINGTON SENTl-
MEL.
In doing so, il is proper should make known
the principles il viii maintain, and the policy IL
will advocate.
1t will support cordially and earnestly the prin-
cipes fthe Democratic party Of Is p'ited States.
does not 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 It's
views.
II will not be ambitious to commend itselfto the
people by blind fattery of their rulers It 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
be (and will endeavor to deserve the title) the
organ of the Democratic party of the United
States.
The SENTINEL will maintain, as fundamental
truth of that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification of the Con-
sttution as compact; by which, also, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated 10 1t,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in it, with explicit reservation of all
others TO the States or TO their separate govern
ments. The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is, therefore, an usurpation Of the
their own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis of the rights of the States-under
the Consttution-and thus by sedulously guarding
the latter, il will the more efectqally strengthen
and perpetuate the former
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
ercse no power which has not been delegated by
the Constitution, according TO strict and fair in
depreciation of its language and spirit; and that
shall not seek attain indirectly objects through
the exercise of constitutional poice,, for the direct
attainment of which it has no desgatt0n Of poioer.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly granted, and all granted powers must be
used for no purpose except such as is clearly in
tended by the Constitution.
In respect TO the internal administration of the
Government, the SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party. II will labor to
nculcaie this cardinal doctrine Of Democratic in
ternal policy that this Government will, 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.
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 10 the promotion of the common
interests, and defence of the common rights, and
honor of the States composing il.
u
foreign policy will suit itself 10 the exigencies
and correspond with the expanding interests of the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cided; but should temper irmncss with liberalty
and make its highest ends consist with the srictes
principles of justice. The real interests of the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention,
will be its guide in the course the SENTINEL will
pursue.
The national policy Of the world in this age is
essentially aggressive. In the growing sense OF
weakness of some of the nations of the Old World,
and the ambitious restlessness of others, a COM
mon motive 10 colonial extension has developed
isclf.
Our settled determination to repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt us to avoid il in the affairs of other coun-
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 unfriendy rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonsirance, and, if need be- by
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive
but TO be property dsfenS,pe, il must sometimes be
apparently aggressive. Our administration should
be vgilant, watchful, and energetic. The world
is full of important movements, commercial and
political, deeply concerning American trade and
American power. 1t is time we had an American
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
of continent, with no neighbors but colony, and
a wornout, anarchical despotsm. We are the
only people whose own land, without colonial de-
is washed by the two great oceans of
The world. Our agricultural productions more
varied and essential TO civilized life, and 10
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources vast-our facilities and capacity for
.l..I
han those of any other people living under one |
government. A continent TO great extent, un
explored and exhaustless its yet hidden wealth
s at our feet. European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or must |
DC made through our own limits. Europe Asia |
Africa, and the isles OF the sea, lying all around
rs, look TO us as the rising power, through the
agency of whose example, and ever widening and
extending, though peaceful influences, the bless
ngs OF liberty, civilization, and religion, des
ined to triumph over the barbarsm and supersti- |
ion of the millions of the world. And shall such |
people refuse TO lay hold upon their destiny, and
lct upon the high mission 10 which il is called |
mission so full Of hope, though so laden with |
responsibility, which, if properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbnger Of peace 10 |
he world, as well as the peaceful arbiter Of its |
lestiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate told /
md earnest foreign policy, such the condition OF
he country demands; but il will advocate il under
he flag ofthe country--nowhere else. Its foreign /
olicy must be consistent with the spotless honor |
nd unimpeachable good faith of the country. To |
e respectable at home and abroad, and 10 be great
\ the eyes Of the world, il must ask for nothing
ut what is right and submit 10 nothing that is
grong. Ii must be liberal and magnanimous to
he rights Of others, and firm and immoveable in /
assisting on ills own. II must, in fine, be true TO
S own interests, rights, and honor-it cannot then
c false TO those of other nations.
Such then, is the chart by which we shall be
uided Independent and free, we shall endeavor
} be honest and truthful. The true friends OF
emocraic principles we shall cordially support
nd defend. Its enemies In the field or in ambush
re shall oppose, and on all proper occasions de-
ounce.
To our future brethren Of the press we extend
he hand Of friendly greeting. The Sentinel is the
wal of no press of its own party--the personal
nemy Of none Of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
est wishes for its in the establishment OF
he great principles upon which il came into power;
nd in its honest labors TO attain such end il |
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
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