Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-10-09
PROSPE &c TU S
wv AsHINGTON SENTINEL"


II PROPOSE to publish in the city OF Washing
i ton in September, a political newspaper, un-
der the name of the WASHINGTON SENTI-
MEL
In doing So il is proper / should make known
the principles it viii maintain, and the policy il
will advocate.
Ii will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciples of the Democratic party Of te United States
il does not propose 10 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.
II will not be ambitious TO commend itself 10 the
people by blind aattery of their rulers. II will
seek public support by the bold ayoWal OF the
sentiments which common 10 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 1t will seek to
be land il will endeavor to deserve the trle) 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
stituiion compact by which, alse, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated TO il,
as their common agent. the powers expressly
specified in it, with 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, usurpation of the
their own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis of the rights of the States--nnder
the Constitution-and thus by sednlously guarding
the latter it will the more -iiectualv strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard TO the exercise OF The powers Of the
Fec eral Government the SENTINEL will lake as
the rnciples 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
terprel ton of its language and spirit; and that II
shall nt seek to attain indirectly obJectthrough
the exc, Use of constitutional po,oer for the direct
altainme of which it has no delegation of poa0er.
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 II will labor TO
inculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
ternal policy that this Government will bes,
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 ooncerns-whlle 1t 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.
Inc SENTlNEL VIII AuNOcdlt sueh progressive
foreign policy will suit itself TO the exigences,
and correspond with the expanding interests OF the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cided; but should temper 6rnness with hberality,
and make its highest ends consist with the strctest
principles of Justice. The real interests of the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention
will be It's 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 TO colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, vii
prompt us 10 avoid il in the affairs of 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 a foreign
or colonial policy which infringes upon our rights
and places in the pathway OF our commerce n
dangerous and unfrendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, aud, n need be, ~
Our foreign policy should. indeed, be defensive,
but TO be properly dcfenstUe. 4 must sometimes be
apparelatig aggreSsius. Our administration should
be vigilani watchful, and energetic. The world
is full of important movements, commercial and
politics AL deeply concerning American trade and
American power IL is time we had an American
avoid il ii 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 continen mt, with no neighbors but colony and
a worn-out anarchical despotism. We 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 to civilized life, and tc
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-ourfacilitesa and capacity tor
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those Of any other people living under one
government. A continent, TO a great extent, un.
explored and exhaustless IN its yet hidden wealth
is at feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are al our doors, or must
be made through our own limits. Europe, Asia,
Africa, and the isles Of the sea, lying all around
u, look 10 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 superstl.
tion OF the millions Of the world And shall such
a people refuse TO lay hold upon their destiny, aud
act upon the high mission 10 which il is called
mission full 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 arbiter OF its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate a bold
and earnest foreign policy such the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate il under
the flag ofthe country--nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeachable good faith Of the country To
be 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 TO nothing that is
wrong II must be liberal and magnanimous 10
the rights of others, and firm and rmmoveable in
insisting on its own. IL must, in fine, be true 10
its own interests rights, and honor-it cannot then
he false TO those Of other nations.
Such, then, is the chart by which shall be
guided. Independent and free, we shall endeavor
10 be honest and truthful. The true friends oI
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-the 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 il cameinto power
and in its honest labors to attain such an end il
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadJutor.
II ATER YEARS, ny the Author Of g the