Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-09-15
P ROSPE G T u S
4 ~ OF THE --"-1-
WASHINGTON SENTINEL

| In doing So il is proper | should make known
/ the principles il will maintain, and the policy II
| will advocate.
| II will support cordially and earnestly the pfln
ciples 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 its opinions and express lis
views.
/ Il will not be ambitious 10 commend itselfto the
! people by blind fatierY of their rulers. II will
| seek public lpport by the bold avowal of the
/ sentiments which are common 10 the genuine
| Democracy of the Union, and by the condemna-
| ton of all such as may conflict with them, rom
whatever quarter they may come II will seek 10
be (and il will endeavor to deserve the tiile) the
organ of the Democratic party Of the United
States.
The SENTINEL will maintain, as fundamental
ruth of that great party, that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification OF the Con
stitution as compact by which, alse, 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 10 the States, or TO their separate govern
ments. The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is, therefore, usurpatlon 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 Constitution-and thus by sedulously guarding
the latter, il will the more edectualy strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard TO the exercise of the powers of the
Fec eral Government the SENTINEL will take a
the rincpes of its action, that Congress shall ex-
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the G, ustution according to strict and fair IN
terprel ton of its language and spirit; and that II
shall NJ seek to attain indirectly object through
the exei Use of constitutional poacer, for the aire
atainme of which il has no delegation Of pofcer.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for purpose, except such as is clearly IN
tended by tn Constitution
In respect 10 the internal administration of the
Government, The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party. II will labor to
inculcate this cardinal doctrine OF Democratic IN
terna poicy:-th this Government VIII best
promote the freedom and prosperity OF the people
of the States, by being less ambitious 10 exercise
powAr, and more anxious 10 preserve liberty and
by leaving 10 the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic eoneeras-whlle II con-
tents itself with guarding the confederacy 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 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 hrmness with hberallty,
and make its highest ends consist with the strctest
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 the growing sense OF
weakness of some Of the nations OF the Old World,
and the ambitious restessness OF others, com
mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination tc repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, vii.
prompt us TO avoid il in the affairs OF other coun
tries aRleSS 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 unfriendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, u need be, by
war.
our foreign policy should, indeed be defensive,
but TO he properly defe,lSiUe, must sometimes be
aplarentlV aegreSsiUe. Our administration should
be vigilant, watchful, and energetic. The world
is full of important movements, commerclal 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
a greater stake in the world and its destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
of continent, with neghbors but colony, and
n 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 vastour 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, un-
explored and exhaustJess IN its yet hidden wealth
il nj our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which 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
ines of liberty, civilization, and religion, are des-
tined 10 triumph over the barbarism and supersti-
ton Of the millions of the world. And shall such
people refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny and
act upon the high mission TO 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 TO
the world, as well the peaceful arbiter OF It's
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate a bold
and earnest foreign policy such as the condition OF
the country demandsybut II will advocate II under
| the flag ofthe country-nowhere else. Its foreign
| policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
| and unimpeachable good faith Of the country. To
be respectable at home and abroad, and TO be great
| in the eyes OF the world, II must ask Tor nothing
/ but what is right, and submit 10 nothing that Is
| wrong II must be liberal and magnanimous 10
the rights OF others, and firm and Immoveable in
insisting on lis own. Il 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 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 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 success in the establishment oi
the great principles upon which il came into power;
and in its honest labors to attain such an end II
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
4 ATER YEARS, py the Author Of " the