Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-24
PR OSP E G I u s
..wAsHNCTON SENTINEL

der the name of the WASHINGTON SENTl.
/ MEL.
In doing so, il is proper / should make known
the principles il win maintain, and the policy il
! will advocate.
| IL will support cordially and earnestly the prin
cipes Of the Democratic party Of tie United Statcs
| IL does not propose TO be the organ of any Depart
ment of the Government, except in so far an in
| dependent maintenance of the doctrines of that
party may represent lis opinions and express It's
/ views.
II will not be ambitious TO commend itselfto the
people by blind fattery Of their rulers. II will
seek public ipporl by the bold avowal of the
| sentiments winch are common TO the genuine
| democracy of the Union and by the condemna
| lon of all such as may conflict with theIn from
/ whatever quarter they may come. IL will seek 10
| he (and II will endeavor TO deserve the ttel the
| organ of the Democratic party OF the United
! States
| The SENTINEL will maintain, az Fundamental
truth of that great party, that the States formed The
/ Union between them by the ratification of the Con
| Sttution compact; by which, alse they created
/ the Federal Government and delegated 10 II,
| az their common agent, the powers expressly
| specified in il, with explicit reservation Of all
others 10 the States, or 10 their separate govern
i ments. The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is therefore, an usnrpaiion of The
| reserved authority OF the States by the agent OF
| their own creation.
| The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
| upon the basis of the rights of thu States-und-r
| the Consttuton--andi thus by sednlously guarding
the latter it will the more ehectually strengthen
| and perpetuate the former.
With regard TO the exercise of the powers of the
| Fec eral Government, the SENTINEL. will take
the rinciples of its action, that Congress shall
ercs no power which has not been delegated by
the c, Institution. according 10 strict and fair IN
terprei lion OF its language and SPIRIT and that IL
shall seek to attain lndirectiy object through
the exel Use of constitutional otcer for the Girsc,
attainme of which il has no delsgatton Of poWer.
| In other words all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for no ,urpose, except such is clearly in
/ tended by III Constitution.
In. respect 10 the internal administration of the
| Government the SENTINEL will sustain the settled
| policy of the Democratic party. IL will labor to
| nculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
| terna policy:--ihat this Government will besr
| 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 10 the individual States the manage
| ment OF all their domestic concsrnS-while it 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 H.
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 frmress with liberalitv,
and make its highest ends conss, with the strictest
1 principles Of justice. The real interests Of the
| country, upon ca, 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
| weakness of some of the nations Of the Old World
and the ambitious rest"ssness Of others, com
mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
i self
l Our Sa,tIed detarmina nation tc renel interferencs
/ from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt us 10 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 infrnges upon our rights
and places in the pathway Of our commerce
| dangerous and unfriendy rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, if need be, by
war
Our foreign policy should. indeed, be defensive,
but 10 be properly deIsnsiUe. 4 must sometimes be
1 apparently aggressipe. 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 IL. 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
q worn-out, anarchicsl despotism. We the
olny people whose own land, without colonial de-
| tendencies, is washed by the two great OF
the world. Our agricultural productions more
varied and essential TO civilized life. aud t.
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-our facilities and capacity fof
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
| government. A continent, 10 great extent, un
| explored and exhaustless IN its yet hidden wealth
IL at our feet European trade seeks the great Eas,
| through avenues which are al our doors, or must
be made through our own limits. Europe, Asia,
Africa, and the isles Of the lying all around
us, look 10 us 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 TO triumph over the barbarism and superst
| 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 ~ called :
A mission full Of hope, though 80 laden with
responsibility, which, il properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbnger Of peace 10
the world as well as the peaceful arbiter OF its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will. therefore, advocate a bold
and earnest foreign policy, such the condition
the country demands; but will advocate II under
the flag Oft the couniry-nowherv else. Its foreign
policy must he consistent with the sPotless honor
| and unmpeachable good faith OF the country. To
be respectable al 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 10
the rights Of others, and firm and lmmoveable in
insisting its own. IL must, in fine, be true 10
its interests, rights and honor-it cannot then
be false to those Of other nations.
Such, then, is the chart by which we shall be
| guided. Indepe ndent and free, shall endeavor
to be honest and truthful. The truo friends OF
democratic principles we shall cordially suppon
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 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
test wishes for its success in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which Il came into power
! and in its honest labors to attain such end IL
| will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.