Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-03-23
PROSP TU s.
.wAsHTNcToN SENTINEL

/ DER tho name OF the WASHINGTON SENTl
! MEL.
/ In doing so, il is proper should make known
the principles it will maintain, and the policy il
i will advocate.
Il will support cordially and earnestly the prin
cipcs Of the Democratic party Of the United States
II does not propose to be the organ of any Depart
mept 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. a
! 1t win not be ambitious TO commend itsefto the
people by blind Aattery of their rulers. Il will
| seek public, support by the bold avowa Of the
sentiments which are common to the genuine
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 (and Il will endeavor to deserve the ttle) the
| organ Of the Democratic party Of the United
| States. al1 H9f3
The SRNrrML will maintain, as Fundamental
truth of that grest party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification of the Con-
stitution a. compact; by which, also, they created
| the Federal Government, and delegated to il,
| as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in il, with an explicit reservation Of ali
others to the States 10 their separate govern
ments. The exercise ofany powers beyond these
thus delegated 10, therefore, an usurpatioa 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 Constituton-and thus by sedulously guarding
the latter, it will the more ehectually strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise of the powers of the
Feeeral Government, the SENrINEL will take as
the rnciples of its action, that Congress shall ex
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the O. Institution, according to strict and fair in
terprei ton Of its language and spirit; and that II
shall nt seek to attain sndiyecfiy an obJectthrough
the Use of constitutional po0er for the direc
attainme of which il has no delegation Of posOsr,
In ether words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for no ,urPose, except such as 10 clearly in,
tended by th Constitution.
In respect 10 the internal administration Of the
Government, tho SENTINKL will sustain the settled
policy of the L mocratic party. 1t will labor to
inculcate this c, dina doctrine of Democratic in
ternal policy:-t at this Government will best
promote the freed I'M 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
mont Of all their donsestie concerns-while il con-
tents itself with guarding the confederacy from
external violence, and directing the foreign policy
Of the country to 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 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 frmness with lberality
and make its highest ends consist with the strietes
principles of Justice. The real interests Of the
| country, upon each occssion demanding attention
| will be its guide in the course the SENTINEL viii
| 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 restlcssness of others, a com
mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
| self
| Our settled determination &c repel interference
| from abroad with domestic concerns, WI
prompt US to avoid il in the affairs of other coun
tries unlsss 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 infrnges upon our rights,
and places in the pathway Of our commerce
| dangerous and unfriendy rival, such policy must
be resisted by rcmonstrancc, and, If need be, by
| war.
| Our foreign policy should indeed, be defensive |;
but TO be properly defens,pe, IT must sometimes be
nppdyenfiy aggressivs. 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 il 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 neghbors 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 civilized life, And 10
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-our facilities md capacity Tor
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those Of any other people living Under one
| government. A continent, TO great extent, nm
explored and exhaustIess IN its yet hidden wealth
ia at 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 the rising power, through the
! agency OF whose example, and ever widening and
| extending, though peaceful influences, the bless
inss Of liberty, civilization and religion are des
| tined TO triumph over the barbarism and supcrst-
| tion of the millions efthc world And shall such
a people refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission to which i Is called!
4 A mission so full OF hope, though 80 laden with
responsibility, which, VI properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger Of peace 10
4 the world as well the peaceful arblter OF ITS
| destiny.
i The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate 6ois
and earnest Jorrgn policy such as the condition OF
the country demands but IL will advocate Il under
| the flag ofthe country-nowhere else. lis foreign
| policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
| and upimpeachable good faith of the country To
be respectable at home and abroad and 10 be great
n the ewes OF tbs world, II must ask for nothing
but what IA right and submit 10 nothing that is
wrong II must be liberal and magnanimous TO
the rights OF others, and firm aud immsyeable in
insisting on its own. II must, in fine, be true TO
its own interests rights, and honor--it cannot then
be false 10 those OF other nations.
Such, then, is the chart by which we shall be
guided Independent and free, we shall endcavor
90 be honest and truthful. The true friends OF
democrats principles we shall cordially support
and defend. It's enemies ~ the held or IN ambush |,
we shall oppose, and on all proper occasions del
nounce. s&
To our future brethren of the press we extend
ths hand Of friendly greeting. The Sentinel - the
rival OF no press OF iis own party-the persona
enemy Of none Of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
hest wishes for its success in the establishment o
the great principles upon which It came INTO power
and In ia honest labors to attain such an end y
will find the SrNrIrxL its friend and cosdJutor
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