Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-05
PROSP EC TU S
..y WASHINGTON SENTINEL, !,

| i ton, in September, political newspaper, un-
der the name Of the WASHINGTON SENTl-
| MEL
In doing SO, ii is proper should make known
| tho principles il will maintain, and the policy il
| will advocate
Ii will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciples of the Democratic party Of the United States
II does not propose 10 be the organ of any Depart
ment THE Government, except IN so far as an in
| dependent maintenance of the doctrines OF that
party may represent its opinions and express lis
| views.
II will not be ambitious to commend itsefto the
people by blind lattery 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-
| ton 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 tte) the
organ of the Democratic party of the United
States.
The SENTINEL will maintain, as 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 IL,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in it, with an explicit reservation OF all
others to the States, or 10 their separate govern
ments. The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is, therefore, usurpaton of the
reserved authority of the States by the agen, or
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, it will the more efectualy strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise Of the powers of the
Fec csral Government, the SENTINEL will take as
the rincipes of its action, that Congress shall ex-
ercis power which has not been delegated by
the G, Institution, according to strict and fair in
terpre, tion of its language and spirit and that il
shall seek TO attain indirectly an obJcctth through
the Use of constitutional pofcer, for the direct
attainme Of which il has no dekgatfon Of potoer.
In ether 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 TO the internal administration of the
Government, The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy Of the Democratic party. II will labor 10
nculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
terna 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 10 the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic eoncerns-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 il.
The SENTINEL will advocate such a progressive
foreign policy as will suit itself TO the exgencies,
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 lis highest ends consist with the strieest
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 tho growing sense OF
weakness Of some of the nations OF the Old World,
and the ambitious restessness of others, a com
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 ooun
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
colonial policy which nfringes upon our rights.
and places in the pathway Of our commerce
dangerous and unfriendly rival such policy must
be resisted by rcmonstrance, and, II need be, by
war
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive,
but 10 be properly defers,pe, Il must sometimes be
apparentlv aggressive. Our administration should
be vigiant, watchful, and energetic. The world
is full Of important movements, commercial and
political, deeply concerning American trade and
American power. IL is time we had an American
foreign policy. We must have il. We cannot
avoid il IL we would. We have larger interests and
every other people. We occupy the best portion
of a continent, with neighbors but colony, and
q worn-oui, 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 essential 10 civilized life, and -
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-ourf facilities and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
Ansan To rAnf awf Mt
explored and exhsustless IN its yet hidden wealth
is al our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or must
be made through own limits. Europe, Asia,
Africa, and the isles OF the sea, lying all around
us, look TO 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 to lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon tho high mission TO which il is callede
A mission so full of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, If properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger of peace TO
the world, as well as the peaceful arbter OF its
destiny.
and earnest Joretgr policy such the condition of
the country demands but il will advocate IL under
the flag the 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 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 lmmoveable 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 char 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, 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-thc personal
enemy of none of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
best wishes for its success in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which itcame into power;
and in its honest labors TO attain such an end u
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadIutor.
r ATER YEARS, ny the Author Of :. the
il Old House by the RIVER
Mr.. Rutberford's Children, second volume.