Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-03-01
PR OSPE &c TU S
OF THE
"W WASHINGTON SENTINEL


will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciples OF the Democratic party Of the Unaed States
il does not propose TO be the organ OF any 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 itselfto the
people by blind fattery of their rulers. II will
seek public support 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 and it will endeavor to deserve the title) 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.
stituon as compact; by which, also, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated TO 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, il will the more efectually strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard 10 the exercise of the powers of the
Fec eral Governm@t the SENTINEL will take as
the rincples Of lis action, that Congress shall ex-
ercs no power which has not been delegated by
the C, institution, according TO strict and far IN
terprei tion of its language and spirit; and that u
shall ne seek attain indirectly an obJectthrough
the exeI Use of constitutional po,cer, for the dsreet
attainme of which il has no delegation Of porsr
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 I'll Constitution.
In respect the internal administration of the
Government, / ,e SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the l. mocratic party. II will labor 10
nculcate this CT dnal doctrine OF Democratic IN
terna policy -, at this Government will best
promote the freed IN and prosperity OF the people
of the States by b, ing 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 eoncerRs-while II con-
tents itself with guarding the contederacy 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 progressive
foreign policy as will suit itself TO the exigencies,
and correspond with the expanding interests OF the
country. Tha, policy should be energetic and de-
cided but should temper firmness with liberalty
and make It's highest ends consist with the srlctest
principles Of Justice. The real interests of the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention
will be its guide in the course the SENTINEL. VIII
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 rsstlcssness of others, com
mon motive 10 colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, wil
prompt us 10 avoid il in the affairs OF other coun
b,,f heir f0rpi ipn colonial
peace should be threatened, our security endan
gered or our interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests of other nations prompt ioregn
or colonial policy which intringes upon our rights,
and places in the pathway of our commerce
dangerous and unfricndly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, If need be, ny
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive; ;
but 10 be properly detcnSive, Il must sometimes be
npparentIv aggressiUe Our administration should
be vgilant, watchful, and energetic. Inc 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 largerinterests, and
n 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, anarchcal despotism We are the
olny people whose own land, without colonial de-
tendencies is washed by the two great oceans oil
varied and more essential 10 civilized lie, ana 70
human progress--our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-our facilities and capachyio ior
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
government A continent, TO great extent, un.
exnlored and exhaustess IN its yet hidden wealth
IL nj our feet European trade seeks the great Easl
through avenues which are al our doors, or must
be made through our own limits. Europe, Asa,
Africa, and the isles Of the sea, lying all around
| tnnr rain
agency of whose example, and ever widening and
extending though peaceful influences, the bless
ings of liberty, civilization, aud religion, are des-
tined TO triumph over the barbarlsm and superstl-
zion of the millions Of the world And shall such
n peope refuse TO lay hold upon their destiny, and
| act upon the high mission 10 which II Is called
| A mission 80 full Of hope, though so laden with
| responsibility, which, IL properly directed, must
make our confcderacy the harbingcr OF peace TO
the world, as well the peaceful arbiter oil lts
destiny.
The SENTrNrr. will, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest fort1gn policy, such as the condition OF
the country demands but il will advocate II under
| the flag ofthe country-nowhere else Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
| and unimpeachable good faith OF the country. 10
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 and Immoveabe IN
| insisting itS own. III must, III nHe, DC IHt "
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 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-
1 nounce.
To our future brethren Of the press we extend
the hand OF friendly greeting. The Sentinel IS the
/ rival OF no press oil its own party--the personal
| enemy of none of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
est wishes for It's success in the establishment OF
The great principles upon which Il came into power
and in its honest labors 10 attain such an end U
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadJuior.
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