Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-06
PROSPEC s
..waSHINGToN sENTINEL.o
OF THE

In doing so, il is proper | should make known
the principles il will maintain, and the pohcy II
will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prn-
cples Of the Democratic party Of the United States
il does not propose TO be the organ Of any Depart
ment of the Government except in so tar as an IN
dependent maintenance Of the doctrines Of that
party may represent its opinions and express MS
views.
II 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-
lion Of all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II will seek 10
be (and il will endeavor TO deserve the title) the
organ of the Democratic party Of the United
States. HE
The SENTINEL will maintain, as fundamental
truth of thai great party, that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification OF the Con-
s,itution as compact by which, also. they created
the Federal Government, and delegated 10 IT,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in IT, 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, usurpatioD 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 Statss-under
the Consttution-and thus by sedulously guarding
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 It's language and spirit and that II
shall not seek TO attain indirectly obectthrough
the exercise of co1tstH iOnal poicer for the direct
attainment of which il has obligation of poloer.
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
inculcate 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 10 the individual States the manage
| ment Of all their domestic concsrns-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 il.
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 hrmness with liberaty
4
| 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
J essentially aggressive. In the growing sense OF
weakness of some of the nations Of the Old World,
\ and the ambitious restrssness Of others, COM
I mon motive 10 colonial extension has developed
/ self
| Our settled determination 10 repel interference
| from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt 10 avoid IL in the affairs of other coun-
tries, unless by their foreg ign colonial policy our
| peace should he threatcued, our security endan-
gered. or our interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests Of other nations prompt foreign
| Or colonial policy which infrnges upon rights
and places in the pathway of our commerce q
dangerous and unfriendy rival, such policy mus
be resisted by remonstrance, AMI, If need be, ~
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive
but TO be properly d.tsa,s,ue, il 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
foreign policy. We must have it, We cannot
avoid il il 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 continent, with no neighbors but colony, and
Il u.
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 essential to civilized life. and 10
human progress--our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-our facilities and capacity foi
internal and foreign commerce. more extended
than those of any other people living under one
government. A contioent, TO great extent, I'm.
explored and exhaustless IN its vet hidden wealth
at our feet. European trade seeks the great Eas
| q. l.
be made through own limits. Europe, Asia,
Africa and the isles Of the sea, lying all around
us, look TO us 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 TO which il is called :
mission so full OF hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, il properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger Of peace 10
the world, as well as the peaceful arbter Of its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy, such the condition
the country demands; but IL 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 al home and abroad, and 10 be gres
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 to
the rights of others, and firm and immoveable in
insisting on its own II must, in fine, be true to
its own interests, rights, and honor-it cannot then
be false 10 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
the great principles upon which tcame into power
and in its honest labors TO attain such an end il
win find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
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