Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-28
PR ECTU S
.wAsHINGToN SENTINEL

III ton, In September, pontlcai newspaper, un
der the name of the WASHINGTON SENTl-
MEL
In doing so, il is proper should make know
the principles il will maintain, and the policy IL
will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciples OF the Democratic party of the United States
il does not propose 10 be the organ Of any Depart
ment of the Government, exceptin so far as an in
dependent maintenance of the doctrines OF thai
party may represent its opinions and express it
views
II will not be ambitious to commend tselfto III,
people by blind fauery Of their rulers Il vii
seek public support by the bold avowal of the
sentiments which are common TO the genuine
Democracy Of the Union, and by the condemna
ton of all such as may conflict with them, from
be (and il will endeavor TO deserve the title) the
organ of the Democratic party of the Unite
States.
The SENTINEL will maintain, as fundamenta
truth of that great party that the States formed ths
Union between them by the ratification of the Con
sttution as compact; by which, also they create.
the Federal Government, and delegated 10 II
their common agent, the powers express,
specified in il, with an explicit reservation Of al
others TO the States, or TO their separate govern
ments. The exercise of any powers beyond thes.
thus delegated, is, therefore, an usurpation of tn
reserved authority of the States by the agent q
their own creation.
The SENTINEL. will uphold and defend the Unio
upon the basis of the rights of the Statss--unde,
the Constitution-and thus by sedulously guardins
the latter, il will the more eectually strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise of the powers Of the
Federal Government, the SENTINEL will take a.
the principles of its action, that Congress shall
ercise no power which has not been delegated by
the Constitution, according to a strict and fair in
depreciation of its language and spirit; and that il
shall not seek to attain tdiyecly object through
III aof~, tho
attainment Of which il has no delegation of po1cer
In other words, all powers exercised must BE-
clearly granted, and all granted powers must b.
used for no purpose, except such as is clearly in
tended by the Constitution.
In respect to the internal administration Of tn,
Government, the SENTINEL will sustain the settle,
policy of the Democratic party. II will labor I,
inculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
ternal policy that this Government will bes'
promote the freedom and prosperity Of the peopl
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 coQeerns-while il con
tents itself with guarding the confederacy from
external violence, and directing the foreign polio,
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 progressiv,
foreign policy will suit itself to the exigencies
and correspond with the expanding interests Of th'
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cided; but should temper frmness with hberalit,
and make its highest ends consist with the strictes
principles of justice. The real interests Of tl
country, upon each occasion demanding attention
will be its guide in the course the SENTINEL wI
pursue. r
The national policy Of the world in this age 1,
essentially aggressive In the growing sense
weakness of some of the nations Of the Old World.
and the ambitious restl'ssness Of others, com
mon motive TO colonial extension has develope,
isef
Our settled determination 10 repel interference,
from abroad with our domestic concerns, vii
prompt US TO avoid il in the affairs Of other coun
tries unlcss by their foreign colonial policy ou
peace should be threatened, our security endan
gered, or our interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests of other nations prompt a foreign
colonial policy which infringes upon rights
and places in the pathway of our commerce a
dangerous and unfrendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, If need be, by
war
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive
but 10 be properly defensiUe, II must sometimes be
apparently aggresstre. 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 II is time we had an American
foreign policy, We must have il. We cannot
avoid il il we would. We have larger interests and
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
a worn-out, anarchical despotism. 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 10
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources vast-our facilities and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
10
explored and exhaustess IN its yet hidden wealth
al our feet. European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or musl
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, des
tined TO triumph over the barbarism and supersti-
tion 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, if properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger Of peace TO
the world as well ms the peaceful arbiier of its
destiny.
md earnest foreign policy, such as the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate il under |
the flag of the country-nowheree else. Its foreign |
policy must be consistent with the spotess honor |
md unimpeachable good faith Of the country. To |
De respectable at home and abroad and TO be great
n the eyes of the world, il must ask for nothing I
,ut what is right, and submit TO nothing that il |
wrong. II must be liberal and msgnanmous TO !
he rights OF others, and firm and immoveable in I
insisting on its own. II must, in fine, be true 10 !
Is own interests, rights and honor-it cannot then
De false TO those OF other nations.
Such, then, is the chart by which we shall be /
guided. Independent and free, we shall endeavor |
o be honest and truthful. The true friends OF
democratic principles we shall cordially support |
md 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
-iva Of press OF its own party--the personal
enemy of none Of the other
The present Democratic Administration has our /
pest wishes for its success in the establishment OF
he great principles upon which tcame into power;
and in its honest labors TO attain such end il !
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
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