Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-11-01
P PROSPEC I n s
WASHINGTON SENTINEL,

der tue name o. the WFoiiiNDloN oLN !
MEL
Ia doing so, il is proper should make known
the principles Il will maintain. and the policy II
will advocate.
II will support cordially aud earnestly the prin
ciples of the Democratic party Of the Unned States
il does not propose TO be the organ of any Depart
ment of the Government except III so far as an IN
dependent maintenance Of the doctrines of that
party may represent us opinions and express lis
views
Ii will not be ambitious TO commend itself 10 the
people by blind fattery of their rulers. II will
seek public support by the bold avowal OF the
sentiments which are common 10 the genuine
Democracy of the Unioa, and by the condemns
tion of all such may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come IL will seek to
be (and il will endeavor 10 deserve the ttle) the
organ of the Democratic party Of the United
States.
The SENTINEL will maintain, rs fundamental
truth of that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification of the Con-
stution as compact; by which, also, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated TO 1t,
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 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--aud thus by seduiously guarding
the latter, il will the more efectualy strengthen
and perpetuaie the former.
With regard to the exercise of the powers of the
Fec eral Government, the SENTINEL will take as
the rincipes Of its action that Congress shall ex
ercs no power which has moi been delegated by
the G, Institution, according TO strict and fair in
terprei ton of its language and spirit and that II
shall ne seek TO attain inauectiy an oblectthrough
y ENNt
atainne OF which it has no dsLegatton Of po'cer.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for no purpose, except SUCH as ls clearly m
tended by III Constitution
In respect 10 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 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 c0neerns-while II 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 II.
The SENTINEL will advocate such a 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-
cided; but should temper irmness with liberality,
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 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 aniesS 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, i need be, BY
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, he defensive,
but 10 be properly detensfUe 1t must sometimes be
appdyegtlV 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 it. 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 a continent with no neighbors but colony, and
a worn-out, anarchical despotism. We are the
ony 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-ouTfaciliues and capacity Tor
internal and foreign commerce more extended
- -
government A continent, 10 n great extent, IN
explored and exhsustless IN its yet hidden wealth
IL at our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or must
be made through 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, des-
tined 10 triumph over the barbarism and supersti-
tion OF the millions ef the world. And shall such
a people refuse TO lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission 10 which Il - called
A mission so full Of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, II properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger Of peace 70
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter Of its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate a bold
and earnest foragn policy, such rs the condition oi
the country demands; but il will advocate Il under
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeachable good faith Of the country. To
be respectable at home and abroad and 10 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 magnaninous to
ihe rights Of others, and firm and lmmovesble IN
insisting on its own. II must in tine, be true 70
lis own interests rights. and honor-it cannot then
be false 10 those Of other nations
Such, then, is the chart by which we shall De
guided independent and free we shall eudeavor
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 dc
nounce.
To our future brethren Of the press we extend
the hand OF friendly greeting. The Sentinel is the
rival Of no press OF is own party-thc persona
enemy of none Of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
test wishes for its success in the establishment o.
the great principles upon which ttcame into power
a -, tie lal., N att euCh end ii