Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-29
PROSPE US
awAsHrNGToN SENTINEL.

/ ton, in September, a political newspaper, un-
der the name Of the WASHINGTON SENTI-
MEL.
In doing so, il is proper should make known
the principles it viii maintain, and the policy il
will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin-
ciples of the Democratic parry Of tho Uiaed States.
IL 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. 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-
lon 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.
The SENTINEL will maintain, as a fundamental
truth of that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification of the Con
stitution compact; by which. also they created
the Federal Government, and delegated 10 u,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in It, with an explicit reservation OF all
others to the States or 10 their separate govern
ments. The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, ~, 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 more efectually strengthen
and perpetuate the former
With regard to the exercise of the powers ofthe
Federal Government the SENTINEL will take as
the principles Of its action. that Congress shall
ercise no power which has not been delegated by
the Constitution, according 10 strict and fair in
depreciation Of its language and spirit and that it
shall not seek to attain direely an object through
the exercise of constitutional pocer for the direct
attainment of which II has no delegation Of poicer
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. IL will labor 10
incuicate 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 to the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic coneorns--while it con-
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 1t.
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy will suit itself TO the exigencfes
country That policy should be energetic and de-
cded but should temper frmness with iberality
and make its highest ends consist with the strctest
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, COM
mon motive to colonial extension has developed
iself
Our settled determination to repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt us 10 avoid il in the affairs of other coun
tries 1RLss 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 unfrendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, If need be- ny
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive;
but TO be property aefsnSiUs il must sometimes be
apparently dggyeSstve. Our administration should
BE virilant watchful, and energetic. The world
is full Of important moyements, commercial and
political, deeply concerning American trade and
American power. Ii 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
every other people. We occupy the best portion
of a contine rt with no neighbors but colony, and
worn-out anarchical despotism. We are the
only people whose own land, without colonial de-
tendencies, is washed by the two great oceans Of
tbe world. Our agricultural productions are more
varied and more essential 10 civilized life and 10
human progrcss--our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vsstour facilities and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people hylng under one
A ant IN aNf fAnr 1,n.
explored and exhaustless In its yet hidden wealth
At our feet European trade seeks the great Easi
through avenues which at our doors, or mus
be made through our own limits. Europe, Asia,
Africa, and the isles OF the sea- lying all around
us look 10 the RISING power, through the
agency of whose example, and ever widening and
extending though peaceful influences the bless
BGs OF liberty, civilization. and religion, are des-
tined 10 triumph over the barbarism and supersti-
non OF the millions OF the world. And shall such
people refuse TO lay hold upon their destiny, ano
act upon the high mission TO which il is called
A mission so full Of hope, though so laden with
esponsbility, which, If properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger OF peace 70
the world, well as the peaceful arbi,er of IL
destiny
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate bold
and sarnest fo.egn policy, such as the condition o'
the country demands; but will advocate il under
the flag ofthe couniry--nowhere else. lts foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotess honoi
and unimpeachable good ialth OF Tue country. 10
be respectable at home and abroad, and 10 be gres
in the eyes of the world, il must ask for nothing
but what Is right, and submit 10 nothing that is
wrong. Il must be liberal and magnsnImous 10
the rights of others, and drm and mmoveable in
insisting on its own. II must, in fine, be true to
its 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 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--thc 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 cosdJutor.
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