Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-03-08
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der the name Of The WASHINGTON sen ~.
MEL.
In dong So IL is proper | should ulake kno0i
the principles il will maintain and he policy Il,
will advocate.
Ii will support cordially and earnestly the p,ln
cipies the Democratic paytg gf thf Uoasd Stct,
il does not propose 10 be the organ of any Depart
ment OF the Cove rnment, except in 80 far in
dependent maintenance of The doctrines OF that
party may represent its opinions and exp'er. ~
views
II wil not be ambitious 10 colinend Itself 10 the
people by blind fattery of their rulers IL viii
seek public ippori by the bold ayowal OF the
sentiments which are common 10 the genuine
democracy OF the Union, and by The conJemnn-
ton of all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. u will seek 10
be (and il will endeavor 10 deserve the ,itle) the
organ OF the Democratic party ~ The luited
States.
The SeErNsJ. will maintain, as a iunda,nentai
truth Of that great party, that the States formed tho
Union between them by the ratification ofthn Con
siihntiun .soinpr,.I. hy which also, ,pep ers,
ia, res-ra Government and delegated 4. :.
a. their common i,gtn, the powers express
specified n IL, with sR explicit reservation ~ Al
.othrrs 10 the States or 10 iher separate govern
ments The exercise OF any powers beyond thyss
thus delegated, is, therefore an usurpatioo ot me
reserved authority at the States Nv thu as"nf ot
their own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend in.- iInios
the Constituion--and thus Ivy sedulousy guarding
the latter, il will the more eHeciuallv strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard 10 the exercise OF the powers ~ the
Fet srai Government, the SENTINEL will take a.
the rinciples of its action thai Congress shall ex
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the G. institution, according strict and fair m
ierpret ton of its language and spirit; and that II
sial u. seek TO attain indirectly object through
the exr' Use Of constitutional po,oer, for the trecs
attaiuine Of which il has no hhgatioa 81 pon'er.
la other words all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers musi be
used for no purpose, except such as = cearr IN
tended by tn Constitution
In respect 10 the Internal administration 4 he
Government The SENTINEL will sustain The settled
policy OF The Democratic party. II Will labor 10
inculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic i'll
ternai policy that tins Government will beT
promote 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 10 the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic coRcsrRs--whr 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 i.
The SENTINEL will advocate Such progressive
foreign policy will suit itself TO the exigences,
and correspond with the expanding interests OF the
country, That policy should be energetic and de-
cided but should temper firmness with liberality,
and make its highest ends consist with the strctest
principles Of Justice The real interests of The
country, upon each occasion demanding attention
will be its guide in the course the SENTINEL. will
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 10 colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, vii
prompt us 10 avoid il in the affairs of other conn
tries, oRieSS by their foreign or colonial policy ouE
peace should he threaiened, our security endan
geFed, 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 pathwa Of our commerce a
dangerous and unfriendly rival, such policy musi
bt resisted ly remonslrancr. and, v need be. y
Dtf torelyn policy shouud. indeed, be defensive,
bur 10 be property dsfc1iSipe 4 must sometimes be
a1,p0rsnly aggTcSsiue. Our administration should
be vigant, watchiul, and energetic. The world
T. 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
avoid il il we would. We have larger interests, and
greater stake in the world and It's destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
of a continent with 40 neighbors but a colony, and
n worn-oui anarchical despotism. We are the
oluy 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 to
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those OF any other people living under one
government. continent, 10 great extent, un.
explored and exhauslless IN lis yet hidden wealth
is our feet. European trade seeks the great East
through avenues whnh are al our doors, or must
be made through our own limits Europe, Asia,
Africa, and the isles of the sea, lying oil around
us. look 10 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 barbarsm and supersti.
liou 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 II is called!
A mission full of hope, though so laden with
responsibility which, III properly directed, must
make our conlederacy the harbinger Of peace 10
the world well as the peaceful arbiter Of its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate hOtd
and earnos Joreiga policy, such as the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate II under
the dag ofthe countTy-nowhere else. It's foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unmpeachable good faith OF the country. To
be respectable al home and abroad, and 10 be great
ia the eyes of the world, il must ask for nothing
but what is right, and submit TO nothing that ~
wrong II must be liberal and magnanimous 10
the rights OF others, and firm and Immoveabe in
insisting on its own. Il must in fine, be.true TO
IL own interests rights, and bonorit 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 shall cordially support
and defend. Its enemies the field or in ambush
we shall oppose, and on all proper occasions de
nonnce.
To our future brethren OF the press We extend
the hand Of friendly greeting. The Sentinel is the
rival OF no press of lis own party-the personal
enemy Of none ofihe other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
les, wishes for ITS success in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which tcame into power
and in its honest abors 10 attain such an end y
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadJutor.
r ATER YEARS, py the Author o. : the