Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-03-02
PROSPE TU s
..wAsHINGTON sENTINEL.o

| i ton, in September, a political newspaper, un
| der the name of the WASHINGTON SENTl
| MEL.
| In doing so, il is proper I should make known
| the principles il win maintain, and the policy II
| will advocate.
| II viii support cordially and earnestly the prin
cpes Of the Democratic party Of the Unitsd States
il does not propose TO be the organ OF any Depart
inent Of the Cove rnment, except in so far as an IN
| dependent maintenance Of the doctrines OF that
| party may represent its opinions and express It's
i views.
| Il will not be ambitious to commend itselfto the
people by blind faitery Of their rulers II VIII
| 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 may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come II VIII seek 10
| be land il will endeavor TO deserve the ttle) the
organ of the Democratic party of the United
States.
I 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 II,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in it, with explicit reservation OF all
others to the States or to their separate govern
ments. The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated is, therefore, an nsurpation 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 sednlousy guarding
the latter il will the more edectually 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 c. institution, according TO strict and ialr IN
terpre ton Of its language and spirit; and that II
shall NJ seek TO attain indirectly an object through
for
attainme Of which il has no deegatfon Of poicer.
In other words all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for no purpose, except such as is clearly I'M
tended by th Constitution.
In respect , the internal administration Of the
Government 'e SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the mocraiic party. II VIII labor 10
inculcate this c, dinal doctrine OF Democratic IN
ternal policy:--t al this Government Will besi
| promote the freed m and prosperity oil me people
of the States, by b. ing 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 concer1s--whlle II 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, ana
| honor OF the States composing II.
| The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy as 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 irmness with liberaiity
and make IFS highest ends consist with the strotesi
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 rastlessness of others, com
| mon motive 10 colonial extension has developed
| self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
| from abroad with our domestic concerns, wh
prompt us 10 avoid il In the affairs OF other coun
tries a1less by their foreign or colonial policy our
| peace should be threatened, our security endan
gered, or interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests of other nations prompt foreign
or colonial policy which nfringes upon our rights,
and places in the pathway Of our commerce a
dangerous and unfriendly rival such policy must
he resisted by remonstrance, aud, If need be, ny
war
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive
but 10 be properly dcfenstre i must sometimes be
apparently aggressive. Our administration should
be vigilant watchful, and energetic. The world
is full OF important movements, commerclal ana
polite al deeply concerning American trade and
American power. IL is time we had an American
foreign policy We must have H. We cannot
avoid il il we would. We have larger interests and
n greater stake in the world and its destiny, than
| every other people. We occupy the best portion
OF a continent with no neghbors but colony, and
| q worn-out anarchical despotsm. 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 10
| human progress--our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vastour facilities and capaciiy Tor
| internal and foreign commerce more extended
| than those of any other people hvlng under one
| government. A continent, 10 great extent, un-
L f,la rad haxh hauS
is al our feet. European trade seeks the great East
| through avenues which are nj our doors, or musi
| be made through our own limits. Europe, Asa,
| Africa and the isles Of the sea- lying all around
| us, look 10 us IA the rising power, through the
| agency Of whose example, and ever widening and
extending, though peaceful influences, the bless
| ngs OF liberty, civilization, and religion, are des
| tined 10 triumph over the barbarisin and supersi
ton of the millions of the world. And shall such
n people refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny, and
| net upon the high mission 10 which Il - called
| A mission so full OF hope, though so laden with
/ responsibility, which, il properly directed, must
/ make our confederacy the harblnger OF pence 10
| the world, as well as the peaceful arbiier oil its
\ destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate n bold
and aa,aesf foyeign policy, such the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate II under
| the flag OF the couniry-nowhere else. lis iorelgn
| policy must be consistent with the spoiless honor
and nnmpeachable good faith OF the country. To
L
| in the eyes Of the world, IL must ask for nothing
but what is right and submit 10 nothing that Is
wrong II must be liberal and magnnnimous 10
| the rights Of others, and firm and immoveable IN
4 insisting on its own. Il must, in fine, be true TO
its own interests rights, and honor--t 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 cndeavor
10 be honest and truthful The true friends OF
democratic principles we shall cordially support
| ami defend la 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 pariy-thc personal
enemy Of none of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
les wishes for ia success in the establishment oi
the great principles upon which itcamc into power
and in its honest labors TO attain such an END y
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coaduor.
IN-sI., n