Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-02-21
P R OSP ECT Il s
OF The
wv WASHINGTON SENTINEL.


WASHINGTON SENTINEL"
/ 4 PROPOSE 10 publish in the city OF Washing
| l. ton, in September, political newspaper un-
der the OF The WASHINGTON SENT.
MEL
| In doing so, Il is proper 1 should make known
| the principles il viii maintain, and the policy il
| will advocate.
| II will support cordially and earnestly the prin
cipes of the Democratic party Of the Uattea Stss
II 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 its opinions and express its
| views.
/ II will not be ambitious commend itselgto the
people by blind fattery of their rulers II will
seek public Ippori by the bold avowal Of the
sentiments which common TO the genuine
| Democracy of the Union, and by the condemna-
uon of all such may confiri with them, from
| whatever quarter they may come. II will seek 70
he (aud il will endeavor TO deserve the ulie) he
organ Of the Democratic party Of the United
States
| The SKNTRIL will maintain, as a fundamental
truth of that great party, that the States termed The
Union between them by the ratification OF The Con
sttption ~ compact; by which alse they created
the Federal GOVERNMENT and delegated 70 T.,
| N their common agent the powers expressly
specified in il, with explicit reservation OF all
| others 10 the States, their separate govern
| ments. The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is therefore, usnrpation 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 tho States-under
| the Consttution-and thus by sednlousy guarding
| the latter, il will the more efsectually strengthen
| and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise OF the powers OF the
| Fec eral Government, the SENTINEL will take "a
the rnciples of lis action, that Congress shall ex
| ercs power which has not been delegated by
the G, institution, according strict and fair in
lerprei ton OF its language and spirit; and that II
shal! seek to attain indirectly an object through
the Use of constitutional poioer, for the Greo
atiainme of which il has no desgat'on Of po,cey.
/ In other words all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted and all granted powers must be
used for no purpose, except such A. IS clearly M
tended by th Constitution.
/ In respect to the internal administration Of the
! Government The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
| policy of the Democratic party. IL will labor 10
/ nculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
| erna policy that this Government will best
promote the freedom and prosperity OF the people
of the States, by being less ambitious TO 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 frmness with bberay,
and make its highest ends consist with the srictcst
| principles of Justice. The real interests of the
| country, upon each occasion demanding attention
will be It's guide in the course the SENTINEL vii
pursue.
The national policy of the world in this age is
4 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 tc repel interference
l from abroad with domestic concerns, vii
prompt us TO avoid il in the affairs of other coun
tries, unless by their foreign colonial policy
/ 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.
| ard places in the pathway Of our commerce
dangerous and unfriendy rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, If need be, sy
/ war
| Our foreign policy should. indeed, be defensive,
but 10 be properly deJelsIUe, Il must sometimes he
| apparently aggressipe Our administration should
| be vigiant, watchful, and energetic. The world
| is full Of important movements, commercial and
| political, deeply concerning American trade and
| America power. Ii 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 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 10 civilized life, and 10
human progrcss--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
government continent, 10 great extent, un.
explored and exhausuess IN its yet hidden wealth
/ il AT our feet European trade seeks the great East
i through avenues which are at our doors, or must
i 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
i agency of whose example, and ever widening and
/ extending though peaceful influences, the bless
| ngs of liberty, civilization, and religion, are des-
| tined TO triumph over the barbarism and supersti-
| tion 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 so full Of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, il properly directed, must
/ make our confederacy the harbinger OF peace TO
the world, well as the peaceful arbiter Of It's
| destiny
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocates q bold
and earnest foreign policy, such the condition OF
| the country demands but il will advocate II under
the flag ofthe country-nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeachable 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 is
wrong. Ii must be liberal and magnsnmous TO
the rights Of Others and firm and Immoveabe in
/ insisting on its own. II must, in fine, be true 10
its own interests, rights, and honor-t 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 we shall cordially suppou
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 press OF lis own party-the personal
enemy of none OF the other.
/ The present Democratic Administration has our
lest wishes for its success in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which il came into power;
and in its honest abors TO attain such end II
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadlutor.