Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11
ROSPE C T u s
OF THR
..w ASHINGTON SENTINEL"

II u
der the name of the WASHINGTON SENT
MEL
In doing SO, il is proper | should make known
tho principles il will maintain, and the policy Il
will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciples of the Democratic party Of the United States
il does not propose TO be the organ ofany 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 It's
views.
Ii will not be ambitious TO commend itsefto the
people by blind fattery of their rulers. II will
seek public ipport by the bold avowa of the
sentiments which are common TO the genuine
Democracy of the Union, and by the condemna-
tion of all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come II will seek 10
be (and il will endeavor TO deserve the ttle) 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 a compact; by which, alsa 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 10 the States, or to their separate govern
ments. The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is, therefore an usnrpaton Of the
reserved authority of the States by the agent oi
their own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend The Unlon
upon the basis of the rights of the Staies-under
the Constitution--and thus by sedulously guarding
the latter, il will the more eHectually strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard TO the exercise of the powers OF the
Fec eTal Government, the SENTINEL viii take a
the rnciples 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
terprei tion of its language and spirit; and that il
shall seek to attain indirectly an object through
the exei ise of constitutional p0tcey, for the 3rec
attainme of which il has no dslsgation of poaoer
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for no ,urpose, except such az - ctearV M
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 VIII labor 10
inculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
ternal policy that this Government will besi
the freedom and prosperity of The people
of the States, by being less ambitious 10 exercise
power, and more anxious 10 preserve liberty; and
by leaving TO the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic c0ncerns-while II con-
tents itself with guarding the confederaey 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.
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy as will suit itself TO the exgencies,
and correspond with the expanding interests OF the
That policy should be energetic and de-
cided; but should temper firmpess with hberality,
and make its highest ends consist with the strictesi
principles of Justice. The real interests of the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention
will be its guide in the course the SENTINEL wll
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 restlrssness OF others, com
mon motive to colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt US 10 avoid il in the affairs OF other coun
tries, unLSs 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
dangerous and unfrendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remoustrance, aud, II need be, by
wars.
Our foreign policy should, indeed be defensive,
but 10 be properly defensive. must sometimes be
apparently aggressive. Our administration should
be vigilant, 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 it, We cannot
III III
a greater stake in the world and its destiny, than
every other people We occupy the best portion
of continent, with no neighbors but 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
the world. Our agricultural productions are more
varied and more essential TO civilized life, and to
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, 10 a great extent, un-
explored and exhaustess IN its yet hidden wealth
II 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 TO us 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 10 triumph over the barbarism and superst-
tion Of the millions Of the world. And shall such
people refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission TO which y is called I
mission so full of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, il properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger OF peace 10
the world as well the peaceful arblter OF its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy, such as the condition OF
the country demands but il will advocate u under
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeachable good faith of 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. Il must be liberal and magnanimous 10
the rights OF others, and firm and lmmoveable in
insisting on its own. II must, in fine, be true TO
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 OF
democratic principles we shall cordially support
and defend It's enemies ln-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 tho
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 oi
the great principles upon which Il came into power
and in its honest labors to attain such an end u
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadJutor
II ATER YEARS nv the Author oT .. the