Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-09-25
PROSPE EC I u s



will advocate
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciples of the Democratic party Of tie Uatted 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 its
views.
Ii will not be ambitious TO commend Itself 10 the
people by blind fattery of their rulers. II will
seek public support by the bold nyowa OF the
sentiments which are common to the genuine
Democracy Of the Union, and by the condemna-
lion Of all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II viii seek 10
be (and il will endeavor TO deserve the ttle) 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.
stutjon a compact; by which, also, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated To IT.,
their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in it. with an explicit reservation of all
Others TO the States, TO their separate govern
ments. The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated is, therefore, usurpation of the
reserved authority of the States by tbe- agent OF
their own creation
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Uuion
upon the basis of the rights OF the States--under
the Constitution--and thus by sedulously guarding
the latter, il will the more efectnaly strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise of the powers Of the
Fec era Government the SENTINEL will take as
the rinciples Off action, that Congress shall ex-
ercs no power which has not been delegated by
the c, nsttuton according TO strict and fair in
erprei tion of its language and spirit; and that II
shall nc seek to attain Indirectly through
the Use of constitutional potcer tor the aarect
attainme of which il has no delegation of polcer
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for ,urpose, except such as ~ clearly IN
tended by tn 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 eoncerns-While It 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 1t.
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy as will suit itself TO the exgencies,
and correspond with the expanding interests of the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cided; but should temper firmness with lberality,
and make its highest ends consist with the srictest
principles of Justice The real interests OF the
",
will be its guide in the course the SENTINEL will
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, com
mon motive to colonial extension has developed
self.
Our settled determination tc repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, viii
prompt us to avoid il in the affairs OF other coun
tries uniss by their foreign or colonial policy our
peace should be thre0teued, 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 a
dangeroVs and unfrendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, If need be, by
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive,
but TO be properly detcnsfre, II must sometimes be
appare,tlv ag greSStUe. Our administration should
be vigihnt, watchfu, and energetic The world
is full of important movements, commercial and
political, deeply concerning American trade and
American power. Il 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 It's destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
of a continent, with neighbors but a colony, and
a worn out, anarchcal despotism. We are the
ony 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 10 civilized life, and tc
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-our 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 exhaustess IN its yet hidden wealth
il al our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are al our doors, or must
be made through our own limits. Europe, Asia,
Africa, and the isles of the sea, lying all around
us, 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 barbarism and supersti-
| ton 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 il is called
| A mission so full OF hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, if properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbnger of peace to
the world as well as the peaceful arbiter of its
| destiny
The SENTINEL WILL therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy, such as the condition oi
the country demands; but will advocate II under
the flag ofthe country-nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotess honor
/ and unimpeachabe good faith OF the country. To
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 rights of others, and firm and lmmoveabe in
! insisting on its own Ii 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 endeavoi
to be honest and uuthfuL The ,rue friends o.
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 extenc
the hand Of friendly greeting. The Sentinel is the
rival of no press OF its own party--thc persona
enemy of none of the other.
| The present Democratic Administration has ou
hest wishes for its success in the establishment
the great principles upon which il came into power
and in its honest labors TO attain such an end |
will find the SENrINEL its friend and coadJutor.
T ATER YEARS, ny the Author of :. th'