Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-02-21
PROSP &c TU S
.wASHINCTON SENTINEL

/
/ will advocate.
| II will support cordially and earnestly the prin
cpes OF the Democratic party Of TIE United States
II does not propose to be the organ OF any Depart
ment the Government, except in so far as an IN
/ dependent maintenance of the doctrines OF that
party may represent its opinions and express its
views.
II will not be ambitious TO commend itself to the
people by blind fattery of their rulers II will
seek public support by the bold avowal OF the
| Democracy Of the Union, and by the condemna-
tion Of all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II will seek to
be land it 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 to II,
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; 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, it will the more eectually strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard TO- the exercise of the powers oft
Federal Government, the SENTINEL will take as
the principles of its action, that Congress shall ex-
ercise no power which has not been delegated by
the Constitution, according to strict and fair IN
terpretation of its language and spirit; and that
shall seek to attain indirectly an object through
the exercise Of constitutional potoer for the drect
attainment of which ii has no delegation Of potoer
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly granted, and all granted powers must be
used for purpose, except such as is clearly inr
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
incucate 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 10 exercise
power and more anxious TO preserve liberty; and
by leaving 10 the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic conceyns-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 IT,
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy as 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 irmness with hberaity
and make its highest ends consist with the stretes
principles of justice. The real interests of the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention
will be its guide in the course the SENTINEL vii
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 a com
mon motive to colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination tc repel interference
from abroad with domestic concerns, vii
prompt us TO avoid il in the affairs Of other conn
Al. nr roll
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 untriendy rival, such pohcy must
be resisted by remonstrancc, and, if need be, by
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive
bu, 10 be properiy defensiUe, il must sometimes be
apparentlv aggressire Our administration should
be viglant, watchful, and energetic The world
ia full of important movements, commercial and
poli,p al, 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 greater stake in the world and It's destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
of a Continent with no neighbors but colony, and
a worn-out, anarchical despotism. We are the
olny people whose own land, without colonial de-
tendencies is washed by the two great oceans oi
the world. Our agricultural productions are more
varied and more essential 10 civilized lie, and 10
human prorress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-our facilities and capacityior
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those Of any other people living under one
government. A continent, TO great extent IN
explored and exhaustless IN its yet hidden wealth
i. at our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which at our doors, or must
be made through 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 ana
| extending though peaceful influences, the bless
ngs Of liberty civilization, and religion, are des-
tined 10 triumph over the barbarism and superst-
ton Of the millions of the world. And shall sucn
people refuse 10 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, il properly directed, must
| make our confederacy the harbinger OF peace to
| the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter OF hs
| destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest fore,gn policy such as the condition oil
the country demands; but il will advocate il under
| the flag ofthe country--nowhere else. It's foreign
/ pocv must be consistent with the spotess honor
and unimpeachable good faith OF the country 10
be respectable at home and abroad, and TO be great
| in the ewes Of the world, il must ask for nothing
| bu, what il right and submit to nothing that is
wrong II must be liberal and magnanimous 70
| the rights Of Others and firm and immoveabe IN
| insisting on its own. II must, in fine, be true TO
It's own interests, rights, and honor-t cannot then
| be false TO those Of other nations
Such, then, is the chart by which we shall be
guided. Independent andiree, we shall endcayoI
10 be honest and truthful The true friends o
| damocrafic 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-thc persona
enemy Of none Of the other
The present Democratic Administration has ou
lest wishes for its success in the establishment o
the great principles upon which i came into power
and in its honest labors TO attain such an end
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadJutor.
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