Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-10-23
PR ROSP E G 7 US
OF THK
;, w AsHINCTON SENTINEL -

Nv WASHINGTON SENTINEL
II PROPOSE 10 publish in the city of Washing
1 ton in September a political newspaper, un
der the name Of the WASHINGTON SENT
MEL
Ia doing so, II is proper | should make known
The principles il will maintain, and the policy u
will advocate.
Ii will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciples of the Democratic party Of THE United States
il does not propose 10 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 no, be ambitious to commend itselfto the
people by blind fattery of their rulers 1t Will
seek public ipport by the bold avowal OF the
sentiments which are common to the genuine
Democracy of the Union, and by the condemna-
tion of all such az may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. Il will seek 10
he tapd it will endeavor to deserve the title) the
organ Of the Democratic party OF the United
States,
The SENTINEL will maintain, as a fundamental
truth of that great party, that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification OF the Con
stitution compact; by which, alse, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated 10 =,
az their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in it, with explicit reservation Of all
others to the States, or their separate govern.
ments The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is, therefore, an usurpaton OF the
their own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis Of the rights Of the States--under
the Constituton--and thus by sednlously guarding
the latter, il will the more efectuaily strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard TO the exercise Of the powers OF the
Fec eral Government, the SENTINEL will take a.
the rncipes of its action, that Congress shall ex-
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the c. Institution. according to strict and fair m
terprel ton of its language and spirit; and that II
shall nt seek TO attain indirectly object through
the exe Use of constitutional p0toeT, for the Gtred
attainme of which it has no delegation Of aofcer.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for no purpose, except such az is clearv IN
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 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 concerns-whle 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.
foreign policy as will suit itself TO the exgencies,
and correspond with the expanding interests OF the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cded; but should temper firmness with hberality,
and make its highest ends consist with the strlctest
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
weaknes of some of the nations OF the Old World,
and the ambitious restlessness OF others, a 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 unLcss 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 remonstrance and, II need be- sy
Our foreign policy should indeed, be defensive,
but 10 be properly defsnsipe II must sometimes be
opparsntlg aggresyive. 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. IL is time we had an American
foreign policy. We must have ii. We cannot
avoid il If 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 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 10 civilized life, and Ia
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-our facilities and capacity for
IL av11 MOI q pd
than those OF any other people living under one
government. continent to n great extent, un-
explored and exhaustless In its yet hidden wealth
is at feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or must
be made through our own limits. Europe, Asla
Africa and the isles Of the sea, lying all around
us, look 10 the rising power, through the
agency Of whose example, and ever widening and
extending, though pcsceful influences, the bless
ings Of liberty, civilization, and religion, are des-
tined 10 triumph over the barbarism and superst
tion of the millions efthe world. And shall such
people refuse TO lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission 10 which IL is called! |!
mission full of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, if properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger of peace TO
the world, well the peaceful arbter OF lis
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate n bold
and earnest oreiQ Qn pocv such 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 unim feachable 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
hut what is right, and submit to nothing that is
wrong II 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 TO
lis own interests rights, and honor-it cannot then
be false to those Of other nations
Sucb then ia 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 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 its own pary-tbe personal
enemy of none of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
hest wishes for its success in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which itcame into poweri
and in its honest labors 10 attain such an end y
| will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadJutor
4