Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-01
PROSP ECTU S
OF THE
"yyASHiNGTON SENTINEL,

MEL.
In doing so, ills proper ! should make known
the principles il will maintain, and the policy il
will advocate.
1t will support cordially and earnestly the prin-
ciples of the Democratic party Of Ae United States.
II 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 thar
party may represent its opinions and express lis
views.
1t will not be ambitious TO commend itselfto the
people by blind hattery Of their rulers. Ii will
seek public support by the bold avowal of the
sentiments which are common 10 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 it will endeavor 10 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-
stituton as compact; by which, also, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated TO it.,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in it, with an 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, 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 latter, il will the effectualy strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard 10 the exercise Of the powers Of the
Federal Government, the SENTINEL will take
the principles of its action, that Congress shall
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 it
shall not seek to attain directiy obiectthrou
the exercise Of constitutional pocsr for the direct
attainment of which il has no delegation Of potcer.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly granted, and all granted powers must be
used for no purpose, except such as s clearly in
tended by the Constitution. vaf
In respectto the internal administration of the
Government, the SENEINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party II will labor to
nculcate 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 10 preserve liberty; and
by leaving 10 the individual States the maiiage
ment of all their domestic concsrnS--while j; 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 will suit itself to the exigences,
and correspond with the expanding interests of the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cided; but should temper frmness with liberality
and make its highest ends consist withthe stricest
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. III
The national policy of the world in this age is
essentially aggressive. In the growing sense OF
weakness of some of the nations ofthe Old World,
and the ambitious restlrssness of others, COM
mon motive 10 colonial extension has developed
iself. l'
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 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 iniringes upon our rights
and places in the pathway OF our commerce a
dangerous and unfriendly rival, such policy musl
be resisted by reinonstrance, and, II need be, Ky
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed be defensive /;
but to be properly dtenSire, il must sometimes be
apparently aggTesSiUe. 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. II is time we had an American
foreign policy We must have il. We cannot
avoid il If we would We have largerintcrests and
greater stake in the world and its destiny, than
every other people We occupy the best portion
of continent, with neighbors but colony, and
worn-out, anarchical despousm. 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 are more
varied and more essential 10 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 contioent, 10 great extent un-
explored and exhaustless in its yet hidden wealth
al our feet. European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are al our doors, or must
be made through our own limits Europe Asia,
Africa and the isles of the sea, lying all around
us, look 10 us as the rising power, through the
agency of whose example and ever widening and
extending, though peaceful influences, the bless
ings 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 TO lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission 10 which II 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 as the peaceful arbiter OF IT'S
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate Joli
and earnest foreign policy such the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate il under
the flag ofthe country-nowhere else It's foreign
policy must be consistent with the spoiless honor
and unmpeachable good faith OF the country. To
in the eyes Of the world, il must ask for nothing
but what is right, and submit TO nothing that IL
wrong II must be liberal and magnanimous 10
the rights of others and firm and iinmoveable in
insisting on its own. II must in fins, be true TO
its own interests rights, and honorit 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
10 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 Senlncl is the
rival Of no press OF its own party-the personal
enemy Of none of the other. @s
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 SENTINELits friend and coadJutor,
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