Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-09-04
PROSPE CT u s
..,y asHINCTON SENTINEL

I II PKUPD5E pUDITsH
| 1 ton in September, political newspaper, un-
der the name of the WASHINGTON SENTl-
MEL.
| In doing-so il is proper | should make known
| the principles il viii maintain, and the policy u
| will advocate.
! II will support cordially and earnestly the prin
cples of the Democratic party of the United States
il does not propose TO be the organ of any Depart
ment of the Cove rnment, except IN so lar as an In
| dependent maintenance of the doctrines OF that
| party may represent its opinions and express its
views.
II will not be ambitious 10 commend itself TO the
| people by blind iattefy of their rulers 1t 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 may conflict with them, from
| whatever quarter they may come. II VIII seek 10
be land it will endeavor to deserve the title) the
| organ of the Democratic party Of the United
States.
truth of that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification OF the Con-
stitution compact; hy which, also, they created
/ the Federal Government. and delegated 10 IL,
| 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 OF any powers beyond these
thus delegated il, therefore, an usurpaiion OF the
| reserved authority OF the States by the agent of
| their creation
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend III" Union
| upon the basis of the rights of the States-under
| the Constitution-and thus by seduonsy guarding
the latter, it will the more ehecna'iy strengthen
| and perpetuate the former
With regard 10 the exercise of the powers OF the
| Fec eral Government, the SENTINEL will take a.
the rincipes of its action, that Congress shall cx
| ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the G., institution according TO strict and tar IN
terpre, tion of its language and spirit; and that Il
shall n, seek TO attain indirectly object through
the exe Use of constitutional polcer, for the dtrecf
attaiume of which il has no aetegation Of po'oer
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for 'urpose, except such as is ciearH 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. Il will labor to
incucate 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 10 exercise
power and more anxious TO preserve liberty; and
by leaving to the individual States the manage
ment OF all their domestic coneernS-while IT con-
tents itself with guarding the coniederacy 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 It.
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy az will suit itself TO the exigencies
and correspond with the expanding interests OF the
country That policy should be energetic and de-
cded; but should temper frmness with hoeraty,
and make its highest ends consist with the strlctest
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 restlcssness OF others, com
mon motive 10 colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination tc repel interference
from abroad with domestic concerns, VIII
prompt us 10 avoid il in the affairs oil other coun
tries unLess by their foreign 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, II need be, Ly
Our foreign policy should, indeed be defensive,
but To be properly defensive il must sometimes be
a,payenflv 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 nave II. we canno,
avoid il ii 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
a worn-out, anarchical 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 TO cIvllizedlie, and te
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources vast-our facilities and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those Of any other people living under one
government. continent, TO a great extent, IN.
explored and exhaustless in its yet hidden wealth
is feet. European trade seeks the great East
| IL.
be made through our own limits. Europe, Asia,
Africa and the isles of the sea- lying all around
u.s. look 10 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 superst
ton of the millions OF the world. And shall such
people refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny, and
not upon the high mission to which II IS called!
A mission so fall Of hope, though so laden with
responsibility which, il properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger OF peace TO
the world, as well as the peaceful arblter OF It's
destiny.
The SENTINEL will therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy, such as the condition oI
the country demands; but il will advocate II under
| the nag ofthe country-nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
aud unimpeachable good faith OF the country 10
be respectable al home and abroad, and to be great
/ I'M the eyes Of the world, il must ask for nethng
| 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 Immoveable IN
/ insisting on its own. II must in fine, be trne TO
hs own interests, rights, and bonor-t cannot then
4 be false TO those of other nations,
1 such then ~ The chart by which we shall be
1 guided Independent and free, we shall endeavor
II iu be honest and truthful The true friends OF
/ democratic principles we shall cordially support
4 aea defend lis enemies in the field or in ambush
we shall oppose and on oil proper occasions de.
l nounce.
\ To our future brethren Of the press we extend
the hand Of friendly greeting. The Sentinel is the
/ rvsl Of no press OF i,s own party--the personal
enemy OF none OF the other.
The present Democratic Administration mas our
test wishes for its in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which itcame into power;
and IN iis honest labors TO attain such an end y
1 will Gnd the SENTINEL its friend and coadJuor.
II AFER YEARS, ny the Author OF the
1 Ia Old House by the RIVER
Nr. Ruthcrford's Ch ldren, second volume.
Pebbles from the Lake Shore, or Miscellaneous
! Poems. liy Charles Leland Potter, A. M.