Washington sentinel., 1856-03-22
P R OSP EC 7 u s
or The
Nv WASHINGTON SENTINEL

der the name OF the WASHINGTON SENTl-
| MEL
| In doing so, is proper | should make known
| the 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
it 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 its
views
II will not be ambitious 10 commend ilsefto the
people by blind aattery of their rulers. II will
seek public support by the bold avowa Of the
sentiments which are common to the genuine
democracy OF the Union, and by the condemna-
,ion of all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II will seek 10
lie (and il will endeavor to deserve the ttle) the
organ of the Democratic party Of the United
States.
The SmNrlNKL will maintain as fundamental
truth Of that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by The ratification OF the Con
sitntion comoac; byWhich also, thew created
Iha Federal Government, and delegated % =,
as their common agent, The powers expressly
specified in il, with explicit reservation Of all
Others TO the States. 10 their separate govern
ments. The exercise OF any powers beyond the-.
thus d mgated, is, therefore, an usurpston OF the
reserved authority of the States by the agent u
their own creation
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis of the rights of the States-under
the Consiitution--and thus by sedulously guarding
the latter, il will the more ehectualy strengthen
and perpetnate the former
With regard to the exercise of the powers OF the
Fec sral Government the SENTINEL will take a.
the rincpes OF its action, that Congress shall cx-
ercis power which has not been delegated by
the C, nstution according to strict and fair in
terprei tion of its language and spirit; and thai II
shall nl seek TO attain indirectly objectthrough
the exel Use of constitutional po,cor for the direct
tfan fpf xprbi hasp inf
In othor words, all powers exercised must he
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for no 'urpose except such a. Is clearly IN
tended by tn Constitution.
In respect 10 the internal administration OF the
Government The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy Of the Democratic party II will labor 10
incucate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
ternal polcy:-lhat this Government will besi
promote the freedom and prosperity of the people
of the States by being less ambitious 10 exercise
power, and more anxious to preserve liberty; and
by leaving to the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic concerns-while il con
tents itself with guarding the confederacy 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 progressive
foreign policy will suit itself TO the exigencies
and correspond with the expanding interests of the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cided; but should temper hrmness with lberalityy
and make its highest ends consist with the srictest
principles of justice. The real interests of the
country upon each occasion demanding attention
will be it's 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 restlessness of others, com
mon motive to colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination &c repe interference
from abroad with domestic concerns, vii
prompt us to avoid il in the affairs of other coun
tries unless by their foreign colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, our security endan
gered, our interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests of other nations prompt foreign
colonial policy which inlringes upon our rights.
and places in the pathway Of our commerce
dangerous and unfrendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstranee, and, if need be, by
Our foreign policy should indeed, be defensive,
but TO be properly dGfs1isfpe II must sometimes be
apparently aggresstve Our administration should
be vigilant, watchful, and energetic. The world
s 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 II 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
o worn-out, anarchcal despotism We are the
ony people whose own land, without colonial de-
tendencies, il washed by the two great oceans OF
the world. Our agricultural productions are more
varied and more essential to civilized life, and tc
human progress--our mineral and manufacturing
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, TO a great extent, un-
explored and exhsustless In its yet hidden wealth
is 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
ings 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 10 lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission TO which Il is called?
mission so full OF hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, If properly directed, must
make our confederacy the Aarbinger of peace to
the world, as well the peaceful arber Of its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy such the condition oil
the country demands; but il will advocate II under
the flag ofthe country--nowhers else Its foreign
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 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 10
its own interests, rights, and honorit 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
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 It's own party-the personal
enemy Of none of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
lest wishes for its in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which il came into power;
and in its honest labors to attain such an end II
| will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjuior.
r ATER YEARS, py the Author OF the
/ x.tt n -. D..