Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-19
PROSPECTUS
..wAsuIScYox sESrrxrr ),

der the name OF the WASHINGTON sENTI.
MEL.
In doing 50, il is proper | should make known
| the principles IL viii maintain, and the policy "a
will advocate.
/ II will support cordially aud earnestly the prin
cples of the Democratic party Of Tie Uatied 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 lis opinions and express iis
views.
Ii will not be ambitious 10 commend Itself 20 lisT
| people by blind hattery Of their rulers. II Will
seek public support by the bold ayowal oi the
sentiments which are common TO the genuine
| democracy of the Union, and by the condemna
uon of all such may conflict with them from
whatever quarter they may come. IL Will seek 10
| be land il will endeavor 10 deserve the utcl the
| organ of the Democratic party of the Wni'ri
4 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
stituton compact; by which al-o, they created
| the Federal Government, and driugJrd . 4,
\ as their common agent, the powers expressly
| specified in il. with explicit reservation ot all
others to the States, 10 their separate govern
| ments. The exercise of any powers beyond ih.-r
| thus delegated s, therefore, usnrpaton of the
| reserved authority Of the States by the ,gani %
/ their own creation.
I The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
| upon the basis of the rights of tho Staies-under
| the Constitution-and thus by sedulously guarding
| the latter il will the eaertualy strengthen
and perpetuate the former
With regard to the exercise OF the powers Of the
| Fec sral Government, the SENTINEL will take as
the rnciples Of its action, that Congress shall
| ercis power which has not been delegated by
the c. Institution, according 10 strict and fair IN
terpre, ton of lis language and spirit; aud that
shall seek to attain tndirsctiy an object through
the Use of constitutional pososr, for the direct
/ oh
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for no purpose, except snch As is clearly in
tended by tn Constitution.
| La respect 10 the internal administration Of the
Government, The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party II Will labor 10
inculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democrats in
ternal policy that this Government will best
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 conceras-whie 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 6rmness with hberality,
and make its highest ends consist with the stricest
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 restlcssness OF others, com
mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
| self.
Our settled determination &c repel interference
| from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt 10 avoid il in the affairs OF other coun
tries, unless by their foreign colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, our security endan
gered, or our interests invaded. For when tue
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 unfriendly rival such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, If need be, BY
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive,
but TO be properly defenSiUe, must sometimes be
a1,parentkv az greSstUs. Our administration should
| be vigant watchful and energetic. The 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 II. We cannot
avoid il III we would We have larger interests, and
a greater stake in the world and it's destiny than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
of contine MT with no neighbors but colony, and
u 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 aud more essential 10 civilized life, and 10
| human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-our facilities and capacity Tor
internal and foreign commerce more extended
| than those OF any other people living under one
| government. A continent, 10 a great extent IN
1 explored and exhaustless m its yet hidden wealth
is al feet. European trade seeks the great East
| through avenues which nj our doors, or must
| be made through our own limits. Europe, ASA,
1 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 10 triumph over the barbarism and supersti-
ton OF the millions OF the world. And shall such
a people refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny, and
| act upon the high mission 10 which u - calledf
A mission so full Of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, II properly directed, must
i make our conlederacy the harbinger OF peace 10
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter OF its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foyegH policy, such as the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate II under
the flag ofthe country-nowhere else. It's foreign
| policy must be consistent with the spotess honor
| and unimpeac liable good faith Of the country. To
be respectable al home and abroad, and 10 be great
in the eyes Of the world, IL must ask for nothing
but what is right, and submit 10 nothing that -
wrong. Ii must be liberal and magnanmous TO
the rights Of others, and firm and mmoveable in
insisting on its own. II must, in fne be true 10
its own interests, rights, and honor-t cannot then
be false TO thoso 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 truo 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
nounce.
To our future brethren Of the press we extend
the hand Of friendly greeting. The Sentinel is the
rival of no press OF is own party-the 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 u tcame into power
and in its honest labors TO aiiain such an end il
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadImor.