Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-04
PR ROSP Il q I u s
Nv WASHINGTON SEkTINEE,.

ii ihOIooE 10 puDlsu lnt CITY Oh w WdSnlNg-
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 II will maintain, and the policy il
will advocate.
ciples OF the Democratic party Of the United States
II does not propose TO be the organ Of any Depart
ment OF the Government, except in far 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 fattery of their rulers. II will
seek public tpport by the bold avowal of the
sentiments which common 10 the genuine
Democracy Of the Union, and by the condemna-
ton of all such may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II will seek 10
be (and twill endeavor TO deserve The tlile) the
organ of the Democratic party of the United
States.
The SENTINEL will maintain, a fundamental
truth Of that great party that the States formed the
Dnioa between them by he ratification OF the Con
>ttution a compact; by which, also, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated 10 Il,
their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in il, with explicit reservation Of all
others 10 the States TO their separate govern
ments The exercise Of any powers beyond thes.
thus delegated, is, therefore an usurpatiop of the
reserved authority OF the States by the agent o.
their own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis of the rights of the States--undeT
the Constitution-and thus by sedulously guarding
the latter, il will the more efectusllv strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise OF the powers OF the
Fec eral Government, the SENTINEL will take
the rinciples of its action, that Congress shall ex
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the G, institution, according TO strict and fair IN
terpre, ton of its language and spirit; and that IL
shall nt seek attain indirectly object through
the excl Use of constitutional p0toer, for the direct
attanme of which it has no delsgation Of roDer
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for no ,urpose, except such a. is clearly IN
tended by tn Constitution
In respect 10 the internal administration of the
Government The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party. II will labor 10
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 to exercise
power, and more anxious to preserve liberty; and
by leaving TO the individual States the manage.
meni of all their domestic ooncerns-whe 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 u.
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy as will suit itself 10 the exigencies,
and correspond with the expanding interests of the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cded but should temper firmness with hberalty,
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 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, 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 unfriendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, if need be, w
Our foreign policy should. indeed, be defensive,
but 10 be properly dsfensiUe, Il must sometimes be
apparently aggressive. Our administration should
be vigiant waichful, 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 II. We cannot
avoid il If we would. We have larger interests, and
greater stake in the world and IFS destiny, than
every other people We occupy the best portion
of continent, with no neighbors but colony and
o 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 TO 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
government. "A continent, TO a great extent, un-
explored and cxhaustless IN It's yet hidden wealth
is feet. European trade seeks the great Easi
through avenues which 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 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, des-
tined TO triumph over the barbarism and supersti-
ton OF the millions Of the world. And shall such
a people refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission to which II is called
mission so full Of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, If properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger OF peace 10
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter of it
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy, such as the condition ol
the country demands; but ii will advocate II under
the flag ofthe country-nowhero else. It's foreign
and unimpeachable good faith the country. To
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 10 nothing that is
wrong Ii must be liberal and magnanimous 10
the rights Of others, and firm aud lmmoveable in
insisting on its own. IL must in fine, be true 10
its own interests, rights, and honorit cannot then
be false 10 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 oi
democratic principles we shall cordially support
and defend It's 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 press OF i,s own party-ihc persona
enemy Of none Of the other
The present Democratic Administration has ouI
hest wishes for its in the establishment o.
the great principles upon which il came into power
and in it's honest labors 10 attain such an end Y
will find the SENTINEL it's friend and coadjuor.