Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-02
PR OSP E G TU S
OF THE
WASHINGTON gENTINEI. ,,

MEL.
In doing SO, il is proper | should make known
the principles il will maintain. and the policy
will advocate.
Ii will support cordially and earnestly the prin
cipes of the Democratic party Of the United State
il does not propose to be the organ of any Depar
ment ofthe Government, except in SO far as an IL
dependent maintenance of the doctrines of tha
party may represent its opinions and express i,
views.
II will not be ambitious 10 commend itsefto III,
people by blind fattery of their rulers. II vii
seek public support by the bold avowa of th,
sentiments which are common 10 the genuine
Democracy Of the Union, and by the condemDa
ton of all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they NAV come II will seek Il
be (and it will endeavor TO deserve the tule) thu
organ of the Democratic party Of the Unites
States.
The SENTINEL will maintain, as a flndaments
truth of that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification Of the Con
sttution a compact; by which, alsc they create,
the Federal Government and delegated tn Il
as their common agent the powers "xpre-sil
specified in 1t, with an explicit reservation OF al
others 10 the States, or to their separate govern
ments. The exercise of any powers beyond thesr
thus delegated Is, therefore, an usurpaton Of the
reserved authority OF the States by the aaeu o
their own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold aud defend the Union
upon tnc naS!s Oh TikHts Vi tptdiSs--uliuci
the Constitution thus by sedulously guarding
the latter il will the more efectnaliv strengthen
and perpetuate the former
With regard to the exercise of the powers oil the
Feceral Government, the SENTINEL will take a
the rnciples of its action, that Congress shall ex-
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the c. nstitution according 10 strict aud fair in
terpre 1on of lis language and spirit; and that it
shall ne seek to attain Indirectly object through
the exei Use of constitutional 2oacer, for the @irect
ailainme I Of which it has no aeLgation Of po'cer.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and al! granted powers must he
used for no purpose. except such as is clearly IN
tended by th Constitution.
In respect to the internal administration OF the
Government, The SENTIHEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party. Ii VIII labor 10
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 concerns-while 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 IT,
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy as will suit itself TO the exigences,
and correspond with the expanding interests OF the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cded; but should temper frmness with liberahty,
and make lis 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 viii
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
moi ~ colonial ayfansiOn has dpVelODad
self.
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, vii
prompt to avoid il in the affairs OF other coun
tries ualeSS 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 infringes upon our rights
and places in the pathway Of our commerce a
dangerous 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 he properly defenstUe, IL must sometimes be
appareatly 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 il. 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
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 10 civilized life, and ia
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
A - 0f fnnN m
explored and exhaustless In its yet hidden wealth
is at 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
us, look 10 us as the rising power, through the
agency of whose example, and ever widening and
extending, though peaceful influences, the bless
ngs 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
people refuse TO lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission to which il is called
A mission full Of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, il properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbnger OF peace 10
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter Of It's
destiny
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate boid
and earnest orsign policy, such as the condition o.
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
and unimpeachable good faith Of the country. TIC
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 il
wrong IL must be liberal and rnagnanimous tC
the rights Of others, and firm and lmmoveable N
insisting on its own. II must, in fine, be true e
its own interests, rights and honor-it cannot ther
be false 10 those of other nations.
Such, then, is the chart by which we shall bt
guided. Independent and free, we shall endeavol
TO be honest and truthful. The true friends o
democratic principles shall cordially suppor
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 extent
the hand OF friendly greeting The Sentinel IS the
rival OF no press Of its own party-the persona
enemy Of none of the other
The present Democratic Administration has ou
hest wishes for its success in the establishment o
the great principles upon which tcame into power
and in its honest labors TO attain such an end i
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
III AFTER WEARS Aufhar NJ =. fhf