Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-16
ECTU S
.wAsHINCTCN SENTINEL.

!
| II PROPOSE 10 publish in the city Of Washing
| l ton, in September, political newspaper, un-
der the name Of the WASHINGTON SENTI-
| MEL.
In doing so, il is proper should make known
the principles il will maintain, and the policy i
| will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prn
cipes of the Democratic party Of tho United 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 it's opinions and express It's
views.
II will not be ambitious TO commend tselfto the
people by blind fattery of their rulers. 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-
ton Of all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come II will seek TO
be (and will endeavor TO deserve the title) the
organ Of the Democratic party Of the United
States.
The SENTINEL will maintain, as Fundamental
truth that great party, that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification OF the Con-
sttution as a compact by which, asa, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated to H.
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in IT, with an explicit reservation Of all
others to the States, or TO their separate govern
ments. The exercise ol any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is, therefore, usurpaten Of the
reserved authority of the States by the agent oi
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 seduously guarding
the latter, il will the more efectually strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise of the powers Of the
Fec eral Government the SENTINEL will take as
the rincpes 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, tion off language and spirit; and that IT
shall ne seek TO attain indirectly object through
the exel Use of Constitutional posccr for the Gyecf
a,tainme of which il has no delegation Of po1cer.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, aud all granted powers must be
used for no ,urpose, 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. II will labor TO
nculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
ternal policy:-ihat 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 10 the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic concsrns-whe 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 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 frmpess with iberality,
and make its highest ends consist with the strieest
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, viii
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, or our interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests of other nations prompt foreign
or colonial policy which nfringes upon our rights.
and places in the path way of our commerce
dangerous and unfriendly rival such pollcy must
be resisted by remonstrancs, and, II need be, ~
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive,
but to be properly defensivs II must sometimes be
apparenfiv aggressive. 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 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 no neighbors but colony, and
. 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 essential TO civilized life. and IL
human progress--ouT 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, 10 great extent, un-
explored and exhauslless IN its yet hidden wealth
il at 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 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 supcrst
ton Of the millions of the world And shall such
people refuse to lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission to which il is calledf
A mission so full OF hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, # properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger of peace TO
the world, as well the peaceful arbiter of its
destiny.
The SENTINEL viii, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy, such the condition of
the country demands; but IL will advocate il under
the flag ofthe country-nowhcre else It's foreign
and unimpeachable 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
but what is right, and submit TO nothing that is
wrong. Ii must be liberal and magnanimous TO
the rights OF Others and firm and immovcable 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 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
tho 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
REST wishes for its success in the establishment OF
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 coadjuior.
II ATER YEARS, Dy the Author of :. the
i Old House bv the Riverr @af stse
Mr. Rrt he rford's Ch dveu. second, ,voIumc