Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-26
PROSP Il G 7 Il s
OP THE
NV WASHfNCTON SENTINEL -


i ton, in September, political newspaper, nn'
der the name Of the WASHINGTON SENT
MEL
In doing so, il is proper ! should make known
the principles il viii 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 of any Depart
ment of the Cove rnment except IN so far as an IN
dependent maintenance Of the doctrines OF that
party may represent its opinions and express lts
views
Ii will not be ambitious 10 commend itself 10 the
people by blind hatlery of their rulers. II Will
seek public support by the bold avowal OF the
sentiments which are common 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 il will endeavor 10 deserve the utle) the
organ Of the Democratic party of the United
States.
The SgNTnRL viii maintain, as 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 alse, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated TO Il,
AZ their common agent, the powers expressly
specified liz il, with explicit reservation OF all
others 10 the States, 10 their separate govern
ments The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is therefore, usurpaton Of the
reserved authority Of the States by the agent OF
their creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis of the rights of the States-under
the Constituton-and thus by seduously guarding
the latter, il will the edectualy strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise of the powers of the
Fet eral Government the SENTINEL will take a.
the rinciples OF its action, that Congress shall
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 to attain t,adtrecty object through
the Use of constitutional po,cer, for the direct
attanne Of which il has no 6slegats0n Of posceT.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for 'urpose, except such as IS clearly In
tended by III Constitution.
In respect 10 the internal administration of The
Government, The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party. 1t 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 10 preserve liberty; and
bv leaving 10 the individual States the manage.
ment of all their domestic oonesrns-while II con-
tents itself with guarding the contederacy 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 ii.
The SENTINEL will advocate such a progressive
foreign policy will suit itself 10 the exgencies,
and correspond with the expanding interests OF the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cded; but should temper frmness with lberahty,
and make its highest ends consist with the striatest
principles Of Justice The real interests of the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention
will be lis guide ia the course the SENTINEL vii
pursue.
The national policy OF the world in this age is
essentially aggressive. In the growing sense oil
4 4 IL. So sl..n NnrlI
and the ambitious restessness OF others, com
mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination tc repe interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, vii
prompt us 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
dangerous and unfriendly rival such policy must
be resisted by remonstrancs, and II need be- ny
war.
Our foreign policy should indeed, be defensive,
but 10 be property defenSive Il must sometimes be
appaye,tlv 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 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 continent, with neighbors but colony and
= 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-ourfacties 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 exhaustIess 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
ngs of liberty, civilization, and religion, are des
tined TO triumph over the barbarism and supersti-
ton OF the millions Of the world And shall such
people refuse TO lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission 10 which il 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 the peaceful nrbiter OF its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate a bold
and earnest foreign policy, such the condition Of
the flag ofthe country-nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unmpeachable 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 TO nothing that is
wrong. II must be liberal and magnanimous 10
the rights of others, and firm and lmmoveable in
insisting on it's own. Ii must, in fine, be true 10
its 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
10 be honest and truthful The true friends OF
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 no press OF its own party-the personal
enemy ofnone Of the other
The present Democratic Administration has our
best 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 Il
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadIutor
II ATER YEARS, by the Author of 8. the
Old House by the RIVER