Washington sentinel., 1856-01-03
P R OSP Il G 7 u q
r0It or THE 1
w ASHIN(:TON SENTINEh,. !

der the name of the WASHINGTON SENTL
MEL. a4sa. &,H
In doing 80, IL is proper / should make known
the principles IL will maintain. and the policy y
will advocate. M sf ME..
Ii will support cordially and earnestly the prln
cpes Of the Democratic party If tho Uaited STATES
il does not propose TO be the organ of any Depart
Inent 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 lis
views.
II will not be ambitious 10 commend itselfto the
people by blind 1attery of their rulers. II will
seek public 4 ipport by the bold avowal Of the
sentiments which are common to the genuine
democracy Of the Union and by the condemna-
lion of all such may confcl with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. IL will seek TO
he land il will endeavcr TO deserve the htle) the
organ Of the Democratic party OF the United
States y3aq
The SENTINEL will inaintaln, AK n fundamental
truth Of that great party that the States formed tine
Union between them by the ratification OF the Con
slitution compact; by which, also they created
the Federal Government. and delegated 10 II,
az their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in it, with explicit reservation Of all
others 10 the States to their separate govern
ments. The exercise OF any powers beyonu these
thus delegated is, therefore, an nsurpation Of the
served authority OF the States by he "gri,i oi
their own creation
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis of the rights OF the Staies--,inder
The Constitution--and thus by sedulonsly guarding
the latter, il will the more efectuslly strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard To the exercise of the powers OF the
Fel eral Government, the SENTINEL will tase as
the rincpes OF its action, that Congress shall ex
ercs no power which has not been delegated by
the G, institution. according TO strc, and fair IN
terpre, tion of its language and spirit and that il
shall seek attain indirectly object through
III mi
attainme I of which il has no delegation of poaoer.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must he
used for MIrpose, except such as If clearly IN
tended by th Constitution.
In respect TO the internal administration Of the
Government, The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party. 1t will labor TO
nculcate 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 ambitions TO exercise
power, and more anxious TO preserve liberty; and
by leaving to the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic eoncsr'ts-while II con-
tents itself with guarding the coniederacy 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 IL
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy as 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 frmness with iiberallty,
and make its highest ends consist with the strlctes
principles of Justice. The real interests of the
country, upon each octa sion demanding attention
will be its guide in the course the SENTINEL vii
pursue
The national policy of the world 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
.nl hns daty al
self
Our settled determination tc repel Interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, vii
prompt US to 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 a
dangerous and unfrlendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstranee, and, If need be, by
Our foreign policy should. indeed, be defensive,
bu TO be properly defe,asipe, II must sometimes be
ap1,arenflu az gressive Our ADMINISTRATION should
be vigilant, watchful and energetic. The world
is full Of important movements, commerclal 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
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
q 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 to
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-our facilities and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
governments A continent, to q great extent, I'M
explored and exhaustless IN its yet hidden wealth
is at our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are al 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 as 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 10 triumph over the barbarism and superstl-
ton Of the millions efthe world. And shall such
people refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission 10 which II is called!
A mission so full OF hope, though so laden with
| responsibility, which, IL properly directed, must
| make our confederacy the harbinger of peace 10
| the world as well as the peaceful arbiter Of It's
| destiny.
| The SENrINEI. will, therefore, advocate boia
and earnest foreign policy, such the condition Of
the country demands; but IT will advocate IT under
the flag ofthe country-nowhcrs else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honoi
1 and unimpeachAbie Rooo thish VI aho co"hdy. ~
be respectable at home and abroad, and 10 be great
| in the eyes of the world il must ask for nothing
| but what is right and submit to nothing that is
wrong. Il must be liberal and magnanimous &c
the rights Of others, and firm and Immoveable in
insisting on its own. II must, in hne be true &c
| its own interests rights. and honor--f 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 endeavol
to be honest and truthful The true friends o.
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
/ nounce.
To our future brethren of the press we extend
the hand OF friendly greeting. The Sentinel is the
| rival Of no press OF rs own party--the persona
enemy of none ofthe other.
The present Democratic Administration has oul
hest wishes for its success in the establishment o.
the great principles upon which itcamc into power
| and in It's honest labors to aualn such an end il
will find the SENTINEL it's friend and coadjutor.
II ATER YEARS, ny the Author of :. the
1 ii ~. 4