Washington sentinel., 1855-02-20
PROSP ECTU s
OF THE
.wAsHINGTON SENTINEL. %

| will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin
cples ofthe Democratic party Of the 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 its opinions and express its
| views,
will not be ambitious to commend itselfto the
| people by blind fattery of their rulers II VIII
| 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. VIII seek 70
be (and it will endeavor to deserve the ntle) 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-
stitution compact; by which, also, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated TO IT,
| 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, is, therefore, an usurpaton OF the
reserved authority of the States by the agent OF
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 sedulously guarding
the latter, it will the efectually strengthen
| and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise of the powers oft
Federal Government, the SENTINEL will take as
the principles of its action, that Congress shall ex-
ercise no power which has not been delegated by
the Constitution, according TO strict and fair In
terpretaton ofits language and spirit; and that
shall not seek to attain indirectly an object through
the exercise of 0tcer for the direct
attainment Of which il has delegation Of poaoer-
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly granted, and all granted powers must be
used for no purpose except such as is clearly I'M
tended by the 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 What 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 il con-
tents itself with guarding the confederacy from
external violence, and directing the foreign policy
of the country 10 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 10 the exigencles,
and correspond with the expanding interests OF the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cided; but should temper irmness with liberalty
and make its highest ends consist with the strietes
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 to colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
| from abroad with our domestic concerns, wal
prompt us 10 avoid il in the affairs of other coun
tries u,,less by their foreign or colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, our security endan
gered our interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests of other nations prompt foreign
or colonial policy which infrnges 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 10 be properly defensive, il must sometimes be
apparently aggressfpe Our administration should
be yigant, watchful, and energetic. The world
is full of important movements, commercial and
politb al, deeply concerning American trade ana
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
eyery other people. We occupy the best portion
OF continent with no neighbors but a 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
l0.
varied and more essential TO civilized life, and 10
human proeress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vastour facilities and capacity Tor
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those Of any other people hving under one
government. A continent, TO great extent, un-
explored and exhaustess IN its yet hidden wealth
il at our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or mus'
be made through our own limits Europe, ASA,
Africa and the isles Of the sea, lying all around
| -. tha risi
agency Of whose example, and ever widening and
extending though peaceful influences, the bless
ings Of liberty, civilization, and relgon, are oes-
tined 10 triumph over the barbarism and superstl-
tion Of the millions of the world. And shall such
a peopc refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny and
act upon the high mission TO which II IS calledf
A mission so full Of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, il properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harblnger oil peace 10
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter OF its
destiny.
The SENTINEL WILL therefore, advocate bold
and eaynsst foreign policy such the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate Il under
| the flag ofthe country--nowhcre else It's foreign
| policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
| and uuimpeachabe good faith OF the country. 10
he respectable al home and abroad, and TO be great
| in the eyes Of the world, il must ask for nothing
but what is right, and submit 10 nothing that is
wrong Il must be liberal and magnanimous TO
the rights Of others, and firm and immoveabe ln
/
lis own interests, rights and honorit cannot then
/ be false 10 those Of other nations.
Such, then is the chart by which we shall be
! cuded Independent and free, we shall endeavor
| 10 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 des
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 pary--the personal
enemy of none ofthe other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
Lest wishes for it's success in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which ncame into power
and in its honest labors TO attain such an end II
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadJutor.
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