Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-11
PR OSPE CT us.
~ AsHINGToN sENTiNEL.

II fhOIN.9IS publish III Inc CITY III |"
il ton, in September, political newspaper, np-
der the pame of the WASHINGToN1S SENT !.
MEL pbs4Bjl tff,t. g3 4as-ests
In doing so,li i proper / should make known
the principles il viii maintain, and the policy y
will advocate. tVE
Il will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciples of the Democratic parry Of tie United Sfaiss
il does not propose TO be the organ OF any Depart
ment of the Cove rnment, exceplin so far as an IN
dependent maintenance of the doctrines OF that
party may represent its opinions and express us
views 2leEs tsr .,- asF ts-,. ntt.
II will not be ambitious 10 commend liseli ~ he
people by blind fattery of their rulers. y will
seek public ipport by the bold ayowa OF the
sentiments which are common 10 the genuine
Democracy Of the Union, and by the condemna-
tion of all such may conflict with them, rom
whatever quarter they may come. IL will seek 10
be land il will endeavor TO deserve the utle) the
organ of the Democratic party of the United
States i-ia
The SENTINEL will maintain fundamental
truth of that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification OF the Con-
stitnon as a compact; by which, s'so they created
The Federal Government. and delegated 10 Il,
as their common agents the powers expressly
specified in IT, with an explicit reservation OF all
others 70 the States. or their separate govern
nen,s. The exercise ofanv l.nSvers beyond these
Thus delegated. is. therefore ~ nsurpnnon of the
reserved authority of he States Ivy fhe agent o.
their own creation. atai lsGI a l2s3s isl9 I'll
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis of the rights OF The States--under r
The Constit,ition--and thus by sedplousy guarding
the latter IL will the more efrrtnrilv strengthen
and perperuate the former
With regard To the exercise o.! ihe powers Of the
Fe -ral Government, the SENTINEL will take n
ihe principles of its sctou, that Congress shall ex-
erss no power which has nofq been delegated by
the G, usitulion, according to strict and fair IN
ferpre, ton OF its language and spirit and that
shall seek TO attain fad'rectfy an through
The exei se Of constitutional pOtoey, for the Gi1sct
attanme of which il has no dslsgatio7, Of 1oacsr
In other xordss all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must he
used for no purpose, except sl'ch ~ ~ cearv M
tended by tn Constiiupon,aH ,a5lss .a5 ta
In respect 10 the internal administration ut the
Government The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy OF the Democratic party, 1t will labor TO
inculcate this cardinal doctrine OF Democratic In
ternal policy that tins Government will best
promote the freedom and prosperity OF the people
of the States, by being less ambitious TO exercise
power and more anxious topreserve liberty and
by leaving 10 the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic cro,,cerus-while il con-
tents itself with guarding the contederacy 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 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 liberalty
and make its highest ends consist with the srictcs
principles of justice The real interests OF the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention
will be lis guide in the course the SENTINEL w1l
pursue. gaua
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 restl~ssness OF others, a com
mon motive 10 colonial extension has degeloped
self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, wi
prompt us 10 avoid il in the affairs of other eonn
tries, unless by their foreign or colonial pohcy our
peace should be threatened our security endan
sered or our interests invaded, For when the
selfish interests of other nations prompt toreign
or colonial policy which infringes upon our rights
and places in the pathway Of our commerce a
dangerous and unfiendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, aud, II need he, ~
waI.
Our foreign policy shou ID indeed, be defensive,
hut 10 be properly dsjeasive i must sometimes be
I,,yarenfiV aggressive. Our administration should
be vglsnt, watchful, and energetic. The world
il full of important movements, commercial and
politi.al, deeply concerning American trade and
American power. Ii is time we had an American
foreign policy. We must have II. We cannot
avoid il II we would. We have larger interests and
a greater stake in the world and lis destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
OF a conine mt with no neighbors but colony, and
a worn-out anarchical despotism. We the
olny people whose own land, without colonial de-
Tendencies, is washed by the two great oceans OF
the world. Our agricultural productions more
varied and more essential 10 civilized life, and to
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources vastour facilities and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those OF any other people living under one
government. continent, 10 great extent, un-
explored and exhaustless IN It's yet hidden wealth
il al our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or must
be made through our own limits Europe Asia,
Africa, and the isles Of the sea, lying all around
ms, look 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 barbarsm and supersti-
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 il is called 2
A mission so full Of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, II properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger of peace TO
the world, az well as the peaceful arbter Of it,
destiny.
The SENTINEL viii, therefore, advocate a bold
and ear,,e foretgn policy such the condition of
the country demands; but il viii advocate il under
the flag Of the country-nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeschable good faith Of the country. To
be respectable at home and abroad, and TO be great
in the eyes Of the world, it must ask for nothing
hut what Is right and submit TO nothing that is
wrong. II must be liberal and magnanimous TO
the rights Of others, and firm and immovenble in
insisting on its own. II must, in fine, be true 10
It's 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
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 . ths
rival Of no press OF lis own par,y--ihe Pcr.easi
enemy Of none OF the other.
The present Democratic Administrators hss eaf
test wishes for its success in the establishments ~
the great principles upon which itcame into powef
and in its honest labors 10 attain such end y
will find the SENTINEL. its friend and cosdiu,or.
r ATER YEARS, py the Author Of 1.-the