Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-23
PROSP ECT u s
OF THE
"W ASHINGTON SENTINEL

der the name OF the WASHINGTON SENll-
MEL.
In doing so, il is proper | should nakt.known
the principles il will maintain, and the policy II
will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prn
ciples of the Democratic party Of e United States
il does not propose 10 be the organ OF any Depart
ment of the Cove 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 tselfto the
people by blind hattery of their rulers. II will
seek public support by the bold avowai OF the
sentiments which are common to the genuine
Democracy of the Union, and by the condemna
ton 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 title) 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, also, they created
the Federal Government and delegated 10 II,
as their common agent the powers expressly
specified in il, with explicit reservation OF all
others to the States, or 10 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 ol
their own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend The Union
upon the OASIS OF the rights OI the Ctdtcs-uhuCi
the Constitution-and thus by sedulously guarding
the latter il will the more efectually strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise OF the powers OF the
Fees eral Government, the SENTINEL will take a.
the rinciples of its action that Congress shall ex-
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the c, institution, according to strict and fair in
terpre, ton of its language and spirit; and that II
shall nl seek 10 attain indirectly object through
the Use Of constitutional posoer, for the dfrees
attanme Of which it has no allegation Of Yoacer.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for no purpose, except such as is 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. 1t will labor TO
nculcate this cardinal doctrine OF Democratic IN
terna 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 co,icefns-whe 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 il.
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy as will suit itself to the exgencies,
and correspond with the expanding interests of the
cided; but should temper firmness with berallty,
and make its highest ends consist with the stretest
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 restlessness OF others, com
mon motive 10 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 unlSs by their foreign or colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, our security endan
gered, or 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 unfriendy 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 defensive, il must sometimes be
ayparently aggressipe. Our administration should
be vigilant, watchful, and energetic The world
is full of important movements, commercial and
political, deeply concerning American trade and
American power II is time we had an American
foreign policy. We must have it. We cannot
avoid il if we would We have larger interests, and
greater stake in the world and its destiny, than
every other people We occupy the best portion
of continent, with neighbors but a colony, and
a worn-out anarchcal 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 arc more
varied and more essential 10 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 exhaustless IN its yet hidden wealth
s at our feet. European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or must
be made through own limits. Europe, Asia,
Africa and the isles of the sea, lying all around
us, look 10 us as 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 superstl-
ton 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 II Is called!
"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 as the peaceful arber of its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foragn policy such the condition OF
the country demands; but ii will advocate II under
the flag ofthe country-nowhere else. It's foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeachable good faith OF the country. TO
in the eyes Of the world, il must ask for nothing
but what is right, and submit TO nothing that IS
wrong II must he liberal and magnanimous 10
the rights of others, and firm and immoveable IN
insisting on its own. Ii must in fine, be true 10
its own interests rights, and honor-it 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. 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-thc 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 itcame into power;
and in its honest abors to attain such an end II
will find the SENTINEL. its friend and coadJutor.
r ATER YEARS, ny the Author Of :. the
II n H.