Washington sentinel., 1855-02-13
PROSPE us
wv AsHINcToN US sENrINEL.v

l
| II PROPOSE to publish in the city of Washing
/ Il ton, in September, political newspaper, un
der the name of the WASHINGTON SENT
MEL.
In doing So il is proper should make known
the principles il win maintain, and the policy il
/ will advocate.
| II will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciples Of the Democratic party Of tho Unisd States
il does not propose 70 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 It's
views.
| II will not be ambitious to commend itselfto the
people by blind fattery Of their rulers. Il 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-
| tion of all such as may conflict with them from
| whatever quarter they may come. II Will seek 10
be (and it will endeavor to deserve the title) 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 it,
| 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 usurpation 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 efectually strengthen
| and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise Of the powers of the
Federal Government, the SENTINEL will take as
the principles of its action, that Congress shall ex-
ercise no power which has not been delegated by
the Constitution, according to q strict and fair in
depreciation of its language and spirit and that II
shall not seek attain indirectly object through
the exercise Of constitutional pocey for the direes
attainment of which il has no delegation Of poosr
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly granted, and all granted powers must be
used for no purpose, except such as is clearly in-
tended by the Constitution.
In respect to 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
ternal 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 TO the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic coneerns-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 II.
The SENTINEL will advocate such q progressive
foreign policy 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 6rmness with liberaliiy
principles Of justice. The real interests of the
| country, upon each occosien demanding attention
will be it's 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 restlessness Of others, a com
mon motive 10 colonial extension has developed
| self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with domestic concerns vii
prompt us TO avoid il in the affairs Of other coun
tries, unless by their foreign or colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, our security endan
gered, our interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests Of other nations prompt foreign
or colonial policy which infrnges upon our rights
and places in the pathway of our commerce
dangerous and unfriendy rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstranee, and, If need be, BY
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive |;
but TO be properly defsnsivs, II must sometimes be
apparently a9grsssire Our administration should
be vigant, watchfnl, and energetic. The world
is full Of important movements, commercial and
political, deeply concerning American trade and
American power. II 10 time we had an American
foreign policy. We must have il. We cannot
avoid il if 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 a contne nt, with neighbors but colony, and
a 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 -
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vsstour facilities and capacityfo
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
A n n n
explored and exhaustless IN its yet hidden wealth
IL 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
u.s. look to us 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 barbarian and suaperstl-
tioR of the millions Of the world. And shall such
a people refuse lay hold upon their destiny and
act upon the high mission to which II is calledf
mission 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 arbiter OF its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will therefore, advocate a 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. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotess honor
be respectable at 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. IL must be liberal and magnanmous 10
the ights Of others, and firm and lmmeveable in
insisting on its own. II must, in fne be true 10
lis 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 endcavor
to be honss, 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
tho hand Of friendly greeting. The Sentinel - the
rival of no press OF its own party--ihe personal
enemy of none ofthe other.
| The present Democratic Administration has our
est wishes for It's success in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which itcsme into power
| and in its honest lsbors TO attain such an end "
will find III. SENTINEL it's friend and cosdJuior.
/ Trpxa For tbe Daily paper $40 wear, IN ad-