Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-30
PROSPE G TU s
OF THE
wv WAsHINGTON SENTINEL


In doing so, il is proper | should make known
tho principles il will maintain, and the policy u
will advocate.
II viii support cordially and earnestly the prin
cples of the Democratic party of the United States
it does not propose TO be the organ Of any Depart
ment Of the Cove 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 10 commend itselfto the
people by blind fattery Of their rulers. Il will
seek public ipport by the bold avowal OF the
sentiments which are common 10 the genuine
Democracy Of the Union, and by the condemna-
ton of all such may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II will seek TO
be land il will endeavor to deserve the ttle) 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
sttution as compact; by which, alse they created
the Federal Government, and delegated TO u,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in it, with an explicit reservation Of all
others 10 the States or TO their separate govern
ments. The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated is, therefore, an nsnrpation OF the
reserved authority of the States by the agent OF
their own creation
The SENTINEL viii 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 efectnally strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise of the powers OF the
Fec eral Government the SENTINEL will take as
the rnciples of its action, that Congress shall ex-
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the G, usitution according TO a strict and far IN
terpre, tion Of its language and SPIRIT and that II
shall ne seek to attain indirectiy object through
the exel Use of constitutional pocer for the Gsrecf
attainme Of which ii has no dekgaitOn Of poUer.
-. ,har oil a. prc
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for ,urpose, except such as is CLEARLY m
tended by tn Constitution.
In respect 10 the internal administration of the
Government, The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy Of the Democratic party. II will labor TO
inculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic IN
ternal policy 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 TO the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestie concerns-while II 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 il.
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy will sui 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 liberality,
and make its highest ends consist with the strictes
principles of Justice. The real interests OF the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention
will be its guide in the course the SENTINEL wil
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 restlrssness of others, a com
mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
self
n,-.a..Ial J.,.rro;r.,;on ~ raneI interfereuce
from abroad with our domestic concerns, vii
prompt us TO avoid il in the affairs OF other coun
tries u,less 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 q
dangerous and unfrendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, II need be, by
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive,
but to be properly defenslre II must sometimes be
appaysnflv agersssise. 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 it. We cannot
avoid i, If 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 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 OF
the world. Our agricultural productions are more
varied and more essential to civilized life, and To
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-our facilities and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
government. A continent, to-a great extent, un-
explored and exhaustless IN its yet hidden wealth
s at our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which al our doors, or must
be made through our own limits. Europe, ASIA,
Africa, and the isles Of the sea, lying all around
us look TO us 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 are des-
tined 10 triumph over the barbarism and superstl'
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 IT is called
mission full of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, il properly directed, musi
make our confederacy the harbinger OF peace to
the world as well the peaceful arbiier OF It's
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy, such as the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate II under
the flag ofthe country--nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeachable good faith OF the country 10
be respectable al home and abroad and 10 be great
H~ha''~
but what is right, and submit TO nothing that Is
wrong. Il mus, be liberal and magnanimous 10
the Ri ghis of others, and firm and nnmoveable in
insisting on its own. IL 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 we shall be
! guided Independent and free, we shall endeavor
to be honest and truthful. The true friends OF
democratic principles we shall cordially support
| and defend. It's 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
the hand of friendly greeting The Sentinel IS the
rival of no press OF its own party--the personal
enemy Of none Of the other
| The present Democratic Administration has our
test wishes for its success in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which il came into power;
and in iis honest labors TO attain such an end !,
will find the SENTINEL it's friend and coadJutor.
II ATER YEARS, py the Author of :. the
/ IL Old House by the RIVER"
Mr.. Rutherford's Ch ldren, second volume.
Pebbles from the Lake Shore, or Miscellaneous
Poems by Charles Leland Potter, A. M.