Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-24
PROSPE G TUS
.wAsHrNGToN SENTINEL"

VIII advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin-
cipes Of the Democratic party Of lie United 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.
1t will not be ambitious TO commend itsefto 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-
tion of all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II will seek to
be (and il will endeavor to deserve the ttle) 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-
stution as a compact; by which, also they created
the Federal Government, and delegated 10 II,
their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in it, with explicit reservation OF all
others to the States, to their separate govern
ments. The exercise Of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is, therefore, usurpation Of the
reserved authority OF the States by the agent OF
their own creation
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis of the rights of the States-under
the Constitution--and thus by sedulously guarding
the latter, il will the efectually strengthen
and perpetuate the former
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
terpretation of its language and spirit and that It
shall not see; attain indirectly object through
the exercise of constitutional po,cer for the direct
attainment of which il has dssgatton Of po1oer.
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 10 the internal administration of the
Government, the SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party. II will labor 10
inculcaie 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 coacerns-whle il con-
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 as will suit itself to the exigences,
and correspond with the expanding interests ofthe
country That policy should be energetic and de-
cided but should temper firmness with hberality
and make its highest ends consist with the srlctes
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 to colonial extension has developed
isef.
Our settled determination TO repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, VIII
IN m ~
tries upLeSS by their foreign or colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, our security endan-
gered or 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
dangerous and unfriendly 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 dteaSire. II must sometimes be
appdgsnflV dggresSiUe Our administration should
be yiglant 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
foreign policy. We must have II. We cannot
avoid il II we would We have larger interests, and
a greater stake in the world and its destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
of a continent, with no ncighbors but colony, and
a worn-out anarchical despotism. We are the
only people whose own land, without colonial de-
tendencies is washed 10y the two great oceans OF
the world. Our agricultural productions are more
varied and more essential TO civilized life, and 10
lmman procress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vest-ourfaciltiesa and capacity Tor
internal and foreign commerce more EXTENDED
than those of any other people living under one
government. A confident, 10 great extent, un-
explored and exhaustless IN its yet hidden wealth
8 a, our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are al our doors, or mus
be made through own limits. Europe, Asa
Africa and the isles of the sea, lying all around
u.s. look TO us as the rising power, through the
agency of whose example, and ever widening and
extending though peaceful influences, the bless
incs of liberty civilization, and religion, are des-
tined TO triumph over the barbarism and supersti-
ton of the millions Of the world. And shall such
people refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission TO which 1t IS called
A mission so full Of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, if properly directed must
make our confederacy the harbnger of peace TO
the world as well as the peaceful arbiter OF It's
destiny.
The SENTINEL will therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy, such as the condition OF
the country demands; but II wih advocate II under
the flag ofthe country--nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeachabe good faith Of the country 10
be respectable at home and abroad and TO be great
in the eyes of the world, II must ask Tor nothing
bu, what is right and submit to nothing that II
the rights Of others, and firm and immoveable IN
insisting on its own. Ii must, in hnc, be true TO
lis own interests rights and honor-it cannot then
be false TO those Of other nations.
Such, then, is the chart by which we shall be
guided independent and free, we shall endeavor
to be honest and truthful. The true friends OF
democratic principles we shall cordially support
and defend Its enemies IN the field or in ambush
we 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--the personal
enemy of none of the other
The present Democratic Administration has our
best wishes for its success in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which il came into power;
and in its honest labors TO attain such an end IL
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
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