Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-07-12
PROSP E G T U s
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wv AsHINGTON SENTINEL


MEL
In doing 80, j, j. proper should make known
the principles i, will maintain. and the policy u
will advocate.
Ii will support cordially and earnestly the prin
cpes of the Democratic party Of the United States
il does not propose 10 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 ts opinions and express its
views.
II will not be ambitious To commend itsefto the
people by blind Aatlery OF their rulers. II VIII
seek public .ppon by the bold avowal oil the
sentiments which are common to the genuine
Democracy Of the Union. and by the condemna-
ion OF all such may conflict with them, Rom
whatever quarter they may come II will seek 10
he land il viii endeavor 70 deserve the utel the
organ OF The Democratic marty of the United
States.
The SENTINEL will nan,ain as a tundanlent,l |
truth OF that great party that the States formed the
Union between them nv the ratification of thc Con
stitution as compact, 10y which alse, they create.
the Federal Government, and delegated 70 a.,
their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in il, with explicit reservation al al
others 10 -he States, or 10 their separate govern
inents. The exercise OF any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is therefore, an nsurpat"n ot The
reserved authority Of The States by the agent ~
their own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis of the rights oi the States--under
the Constituion--and thus by seduously guarding
the latter it will the more efectually strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard TO the exercise OF the powers Of the
Fec eral Government, the SENTINEL will take as
the rinciples of its action that Congress shall
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the G, institution, according TO strict and fair IN
terpre, ton of its language and spirit; and that II
shall ne seek to attain lnAirectiy bjec through
the se OF constitutional po,oe,, for The @t1eG
attainme Of which it has allegation Of poaoer.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must he
used for no purpose, except such as is clearly in
tended by ia Constitution.
In respect 10 the internal administration OF the
Government, The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party. II will labor 10
iucucate this cardinal doctrine OF Democratic III
ternal policy that this Government VIII bes'
promote the freedom and prosperity OF the people
Of the States, by being less ambitious 10 exercise
power and more anxious 10 preserve liberty; and
by leaving TO the individual States the manage
lnent OF all their domestic eoncerns-while IT con-
tents itself with guarding the coniederacy 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 il.
The SENTINEL will advocate such a progressive
foreign policy as will suit itself 10 the exigences,
apd 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 strotest
principles of Justice. The real interests of the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention
will be its guide ia the course the SENTINEL vii
pursue
The national policy OF the world in this age s
essentially aggressive. In the growing sense Of
weakness of some Of the nations Of the Old World,
and the ambitious restlcssness of others, CON
mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, viii
prompt us 10 avoid il in the affairs Of other coun
tries unless by their foreign or colonial policy
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 unfriendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance. and, if need he, Ly
war.
Our foreign policy should. indeed, be defensive,
but to be properly defensive, Il sometimes be
apparently nggreSSiUe. Our administration should
be vigilant, watchfu 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 IL. We cannot
avoid il il we would We have larger interests and
greater stake in the world aud its destiny, than
every other people We occupy the best portion
OF a 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 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 great extent IN
explored and exhsustless IN lis yet hidden wealth
IL at feet. European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are 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 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 are des-
tined TO triumph over the barbarism and superst-
tion of the millions Of the world. And shall such
people refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission 10 which II IS calledf
A mission so full OF hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, if properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger Of peace 10
the world, well the peaceful arbter OF its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate botd
and earnest foreign policy such the condition OF
the country demands; but IL will advocate u under
the flag ofthe country-nowhere else. It's foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
ana uHHptatnhDle koOu laith VI tue 'ouhhls -
he respectable at home and abroad, and 10 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 he liberal and magnanimous TO
the rights Of others, and firm and immoveable IN
insisting on its own. Il must in fine, be true 10
is own interests rights, and honorit cannot then
lie false 10 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 Its enemies in the field or in ambush
we shall oppose, aud 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
hest wishes for its in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which tcame INTO power;
and in its honest labors 10 attain such an end u
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadlutor.