Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-11-06
PR OSP ECT u S
..wAsH.NcToN SENTINEL, p

r PROPOSE 10 publish in the city of Washing
i 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 it will maintain, and the policy II
will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciples Of the Democratic party Of The United StatSa
il does not propose to be the organ of any Depart
ment of the Government, except in so far as an In
dependent maintenan Of the doctrines Of that
party may represent its opinions and express lis
views
II will not be ambitious TO commend itsefto the
people by blind fattery of their rulers. II will
seek public sipport 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. II will seek TO
be land il will endeavor TO deserve the ttle) the
organ of the Democratic party Of the United
States.
The SENTINEL will maintain, fundamental
truth of that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification Of the Con-
stitution as compact by which also, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated 10 II,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in il, 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 usurpation 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 more efectualy strengthen
and perpetuate the former
With regard to the.exercise of the powers of the
Fec sral Government, the SENTINEL will take as
The rinciples of its action that Congress shall ex
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the c, ostituton, according 10 strict and fair IN
terpre, ton of its language and spirit; and thai II
shall nt seek attain indirectly an Through
the exe Use of constitutional potoer for the direct
attanme of which il has no delegatro71 Of porceT.
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 th Constitution.
In respect TO 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 10 exercise
power and more anxious TO preserve liberty; and
by leaving to the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic ooncerns-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 H.
Inc SENTlNEL VIII advocate suCH progressive
foreign policy as will suit itself to the exigencies,
and correspond with the expanding interests OF the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cided; but should temper irmness with llberallty,
and make its highest ends consist with the strictes
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, CON
mon motive 10 colonial extension has developed
self.
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, vii
prompt us TO avoid il in the affairs of other coun
tries, unless 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 unfriendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, If need be, hy
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive,
but 10 be properly defenSipe, Il must sometimes be
a,,pare1tlv RYessive. Our administration should
be vigiant, watchful, and energetic. The world
is full of important movements, commercial and
political, deeply concerning American trade and
American power Il 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 contine nj, with neighbors but colony, and
q 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 tc
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. A continent, TO a great extent, un-
explored and exhsustless IN its yet hidden wealth
is at our 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
ings OF liberty, civilization, and religion, are des-
tined 10 triumph over the barbarism and supersti-
ton Of the millions of the world. And shall such
a people refuse to lay hod1upon their destiny, and
act upon the high missiong TO which il is called
A mission so full Of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, if 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 bold
and earnest foreign policy such as the condition OF
the country 0emhnus, Out " VIII doNoSatc ~ hhoti
the flag ofthe country-nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and nnimpenchable good faith of the country. To
be respectable home and abroad, and TO be great
in the eyes Of the world, II must ask for nothing
but what is right and submit to nothing that is
wrong. Il must be liberal and magnanimous TO
the rights of others, and firm and immoveable in
insisting on its own. II must, in fine, be true 10
lis own interests rights and honor--it cannot then
be false to 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 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 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 It's own party-the personal
enemy Of none the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
hest wishes for its success in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which il came into power;
and in its honest labors to attain such an end II
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor