Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-03-03
PROSPECT u s
OF THE
"W WAsHINGTON SENTINEL -

Il
| j 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
cples Of the Democratic party Of the United States
| II 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 its
views.
/ 1t will not be ambitious TO commend itselfto the
people by blind fattery Of their rulers. Il will
| seek public support by the bold avowal OF the
| sentiments which common 10 the genuine
| Democracy Of the Union, and by the condemna-
tion Of all such may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II will seek 10
be (and it will endeavor to deserve the title) the
organ of the Democratic party Of the United
States.
The SENTINEL will maintain 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 It,
| 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, an usurpaton 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 Of the
Fec eral Government, the SRNTINEL will take as
the rincipes of its action, that Congress shall ex-
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the c. institution, according to strict and fair in
terprei ton of its language and spirit; and that
shall nc seek to attain indirectly an object through
the of constitutional oicer for the dtrecf
attainme of which il has no delegation Of poacer.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for no ,urpose except such as is clearly IN,
tended by tn Constitution.
In respect 10 the internal administration Of the
Government, ihe SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the mocratic party. II will labor to
inculcate this c, dina doctrine of Democratic in
ternal policy, at this Government will best
promote the freed 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.
ment of all their domestic concerns-whiie 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 II.
| The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy as 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 hberallty
and make its highest ends consist with the strotes
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
| ,pfiy N deyeIOped
\ self
| 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 unless by their foreign 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 unfriendy rival, such policy must
| be resisted by remonstrancc, and, if need be, by
| war
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive |;
but TO be properly dsfsnsiUs, IL must sometimes be
apparently aggressive. Our administration should
| be vigilant watchful, and energetic The world
| is full of important movements, commercial and
nolitb 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 its destiny, than
OF Continent with neighbors but colony, and
= worn-out, anarchical despotism. We are the
olny 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 Ia
human procress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-our facilities and capaciiyf for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
government A continent, 10 great extent, un-
hnp flQSQ IN 1 q
is al our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or must
be made through our own limits. Europe ASA,
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
inos of liberty civilization and religion are des
| tined 10 triumph over the barbarism and supersti
| ton Of the millions of the world. And shall such
a people refuse TO lay hold upon their destiny, and
4 ac, ,pon the high mission TO which il 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 10
the world, as well a. the peaceful arbter OF It's
destiny.
The SENTINEL. will therefore, advocate a bold
and earrss fcrstgn policy, such as the condition OF
m. country demands; but il will advocate II under
the flag ofthe country--Bowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
| and unimpeachabe good faith OF the country. 10
be respectable Al nome anu " ut b'uht
in the eyes OF the world, il must ask for nothing
but what is right, and submit TO nothing that is
,,rono II must be liberal and magnanimous 10
the rights of others, and firm and immoveable IN
insisting on its own. II must, in fine, be true to
~. o,vu interests rights and honorit 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
| 10 be honest and truthful The true friends OF
democratic principles we shall cordially support
snd defend. Its enemies IN the field or in ambush
we shall oppose, and on all proper OCCASIONS dess
nounce.
To our future brethren Of the press we extend
the hand Of friendly greeting. The Sentnei y lne
rival OF no press Of It's own party--the personal
enemy OF none Of the other
The present Democratic Administration has our
test wishes for lis success in the establishment oil
the great principles upon which itcame into power
and in its honest labors TO attain such an eno "
4 vvs Ana The SrvTrrrI its friend and coadJutor.
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