Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-10-06
Pr OSP ECT u s
~ AsHNGToN SENTINEL. y

wv WASHINGTON SENTINEL"
| II PROPOSE 10 publish in the city OF Washing
| I ton, in September political newspaper, un.
der the name of the WASHINGTON SENTI
MEL
In doing so, il is proper | should make known
| the principles il will maintain, and the policy II
will advocate
1t will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciples 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 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 fatery 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 TO
be land il will endeavor TO deserve the title) the
organ of the Democratic party of the United
States.
The SENTINEL will maintain, as Fundamental
truth that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification OF the Con-
stution a compact; by which, also, they created
the Federal Government, ana delegated 10 II,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in it, 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
their own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis OF the rights OF the States-under
the Constitution-an thus by sedulousy guarding
the latter, it will the more eectnaily strengthen
ard perpetuate the former.
With regard 10 the exercise of the powers of the
F.. erai Government, the SENTINEL will take as
the rincpes OF its action, that Congress shall ex-
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the G., institution, according 10 strict and fair in
terprel tion of its language and spirit; and that 1t
shall n. seek to attain indirectly object through
the exel Use of constitutional porve7, for the direct
attanme of which il has no dsiegatson of poaoey.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly era ted, and all granted powers must be
used for no ,urpose, except such AZ - clearly m
tended by tn Constitution.
Ia respect 10 the internal administration of the
Government, The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy Of the Democratic party. Ii will labor to
incucaie 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 to the individual States the manage
meni of all their domestic ooncernS7-whlle II 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.
l.
foreign policy as will suit itself 10 the exigences,
and correspond with the expanding interests of the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cided; but should temper frmness with liberality,
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 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, com
mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, vii
prompt us 10 avoid il in the affairs of other coun
tries unless 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 a
dangerous and unfriendy rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, II need be, by
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive,
but 10 be properly detsnSive, il must sometimes be
apparentig aggreSSiUe 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 II. We cannot
avoid il ii 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 a colony and
worn-out, anarchical despotism. We the
ony 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 tc
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-our facilities and capacity for
inte and extended
than those Of any other people living under one
government. A continent, 10 a great extent, un-
explored and exhaustess in its yet hidden wealth
is AT feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or must
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
ings Of liberty civilization, and religion, des-
tined TO triumph 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 1t is called
mission so full of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, if properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbnger OF peace 10
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiier of its
destiny.
The SENTINEL. WILL therefore, advocate a bold
and earnest foyelgR policy, such as the condition of
the country demands; but il will advocate il under
the flag OF the country-nowhere else. It's foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeachabe good faith of the country To
be respectable at home and abroad, and TO be great
in the eyes Of the world, IL must ask for nothing
but what is right, and submit to nothing that is
wrong. II must be liberal and magnanimous TO
the rights Of others, and firm 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 shall be
guided Independent and free, we shall endeavor
10 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 des
| nounce.
To our future brethren of the press we extend
the hand Of friendly greeting The Sentinel is the
/ rival Of no press OF It's own party-the personal
4 enemy Of none Of the other
| The present Democratic Administration has our
hest wishes for its success in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which u came INTO power
and in its honest labors 10 attain such an end il
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadJutor.