Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-09
PR OSP E C'TUS
wv AsH.NCrON sENTTNEL.n

| ton, in Sept. mber, a political newspaper, nm.
der the name OF the WASHINGTON SENTl
MEL
In doing SO, il is proper should make Known
The principles il will maintain, AID the policy il
will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin-
ciples of the Democratie parry Of the Uited Siates
il does not propose 10 be the organ OF any Depart
ment of the Government, except in SO far as an in
dependent maintenance Of tho doctrines OF that
p7rty may represent lis opinions and express its
views set WIS 1'e
twill not be ambitious TO commend itsefto the
people by blind Aattery of their rulers, II will
seek public support by the bold avowai OF the
Democracy of the Union, and by the condemna-
ron OF Ill such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II will seek 70
be (and il will endcavor TO deserve the .itle) the
organ of the Democratic party Of the United
States. a e f,@ ~ ~ sttseil4r ol
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.
stitution a. compsct by which, also they created
the Federal Government, and delegated 10 IL,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in il, 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, an usurpation Of the
reserved authority of the States by the agent OF
their own creation. 3,.Ef
The SESTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis of the rights OF the States--und-r
The Consttuiion-and thus by sedulonsly guarding
The latter. II will the more efectually strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard TO the exercise OF the powers of the
Federal Government. the SENTINEL will take :
he principles of its action. that Congress shall
.rcise no power which has mol been delegated by
The Constitution according TO strict and fair IN
erpreiation OF it, language and spirit and thar il,
-hal seek to attain indireetly an obectthrough
the exercise of constitutional poSr for the direct
attainment Of which il has no dskgation Of poscer.
10 other words. all powers exercised must be
clearly granted. and all granted powers must be
used for purpose, except such az 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
iernal policy that this Government will bes
promote the freedom and prosperity of the people
Of the States, by being less ambitious 10 exercise
power. and more anxious to preserve liberty; and
by leaving TO the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic cconcerns--while il con.
cents 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 composingit.
The SENTINEL will advocate such a progressive
ioreigh 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 6rmness with hberality
and make its highest ends consist with the strctest
principles of justice. The real interests of the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention,
viii be its guide in the course the SENTINEL will
pursue. sFat III e--e ya sstl
The national policy OF the world in this age is
essentially aggressive. In the growing sense oi
weakness of some Of the nations of the Old World,
aud the ambitious rcstlrssness Of others, com
mon motive to colonial extension has developed
iself
Our settled determination 10 repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt avoid il in the affairs Of other coun-
tries unless by their foreign COLONIAL policy
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 a
dangerous and unfriendy rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, if need be, by
wcr. 4,
Our foreign policy shouh, indeed, be defensive
but TO be properly defs1isivt, 4 must sometimes be
apparently aggressive Our administration should
te vigilant, watchful, and energetic. The world
is full of important movements, commercial and
political, deeply concerning American trade anu
American power. IL is tme we had an American
foreign policy. We must have. Il. We calno,
greater stake in the ord and Us destiny, than
every otEer people. We occupy the best portion
Of continent, with no neighbors but colony aad
a worn-out, anarchicai despoism. 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 to civilized life. and 10
lrumrp protTess--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 Creat extent, un-
explored pnd exhaustless IN its yet hidden wealth
al our feet European trade seeks the great Eest
through avenues which AZ our doors, OF must
be mdde through our own limits. Europe, Asia.
Africa, and the isles OF the sea, lying al 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
inss of liberty, civilization and religion, des-
tined 10 triumph over the barbarism and supeFstI-
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 Il Ia called
mission 80 full Of hope, though so ladon with
responsibility, which, if properly directed must
make our confederacy the harbnger Of peace TO
the world as well as the peaceful arbiter Of its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will therefore, advocate bold
and earnss Foreign policy, such the condition OF
the country demands but Il will advocate il under
'''N " Wy SSui'Nlt N'ep' " foftibu
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 grea
in the eyes OF the world, it must ask for nothing
bu, wha, is right, and submit 10 nothing that u
wrong Il must be liberal and magnsnimous TO |
The rights Of others, and firm and imrnoyesbe In |
insisting on its own. Il must in 6ne. be true TO
lis own interests, rights. and honor--t cannot then
be false 10 those Of other nations.
Such. then. 10 the chart by which we shall be- |
guided. independent and free, we shall endeavor
10 be honest and truthful The true friends OF
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
he 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 It's success in the establishment OF
he great principles upon which il came into power;
and in lis honest labors attain such an end il |
will ind the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
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