Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-14
PROSP EC TU S
.wAsHINGTON SENTINEL

| MEL.
1 In doing So il is proper ! should make known
the principles it viii maintain and the policy I,
twill advocate. atH
1t will support cordially and earnestly the prin
cples Of the Democratic party Of The United States
il does not propose to 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 its opinions and express lis
| views.
| II will not be ambitious to commend itself to the
\ people by blind aaitery of their rulers. II 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-
| lion Of all such 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.
The SENTINEL will maintain, fundamental
truth of that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification of the Con
slituton compact; by which. alss they created
| the Federal Government, and delegated 70 H.,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in il, with explicit reservation OF MI
others TO the States 10 their separate yovrra.
ments The exercise of any powers beyond r-s~
thus delegated is, therefore, an isnrpatloH OF ths
reserved authority of the States by the aser' -
| their creation
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis of the rights of the Statcs--under
the latter, il will the efectualy strengthen
| and perpetuate the former
With regard 10 the exercise of the powers of the
Fec eral Government, the SYNTINIL will take a.
the rnciples of its action, that Congress shall ex-
| ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the c. Institution, according strict and fair in
terpre, 1on of its language and spirit and that II
shall ne seek TO attain indirectly objectthrough
the exe Use of constitutional posocr for the 1Irec
attainme of which il has delsgGtion Of poacer.
n. .Ln Ill ArpiaaH Of h..
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for no ,urpose except such is clearly in
tended by tn Constitution.
In respect 10 the internal administration of the
Government the SENTINEL viii sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party II viii labor 10
incucate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic In
ternal polcy:--rhat 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 to the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic concerns--whlle 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 II.
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy as will suit itself the exigencies,
and correspond with the expanding interests of the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cided but should temper frmness with hberallty,
and make its highest ends consist with the srietesi
principles Of Justice. The real interests OF the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention
will be its guide in the course the SENrHsEL will
pursue.
The national policy of the world in this age is
essentially aggressive. In the growing sense oil
weakness of some of the nations OF the Old World,
and the ambitious restlessness OF others, com
mon motive to colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt US 10 avoid il in the affairs of other coun
tries mniess 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
dangerous and unfricndly rival, such policy musi
be resisted by remsnstrancs, and, If need be, sy
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive,
but 10 be properly defensipe, IL musr sometimes be
apparenslv a 2 gresstUe. Our administration should
be vgilant watchfu and energetic. The world
is full of important movements, commercial and
political, deeply concerning American trade and
American power. 1t is time we had an American
foreign policy. We must have IT. 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 neighbors but a colony and
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 vas-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 exhsustless IN its yet hidden wealth
is al our feet European trade seeks the great East
,h Qxuho oh aren
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 religions are des-
tined to triumph over the barbarism and supersti-
tion Of the millions Of the world. And shall such
a people refuse TO lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission 10 which IT is called
A mission so full of hope, though laden with
responsibility which, If properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger of peace 10
the world, as well the peaceful arbiter 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. It's foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotess honor
and unimpeachable good faith of the country. To
be respectable al home and abroad, and 10 be great
in the eyes of the world, il must ask for nothing
bnt Wnal is TlRnly anu w hOhhihk Ahai y
wrong. II must be liberal and magnsnmous 10
the rights Of others and firm and Immoveabe in
insisting on its own. 1t must, in fine, be true 10
its own interests, rights, and honort 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
| 10 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 def
| nounce.
| To our future brethren Of the press we extend
\ tho 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 success in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which il came into power
| and in its honest labors TO attain such an end y
/ will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadJutor.
r ATER YEARS, ny the Author of !" the
| Ia Old House by the RIVER
| Mr. Rutherford's Children second volume.