Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-26
PROSP &c Y US
or THE
wv AsHINGTON SENTINEL .

der the name OF the WASHINGTON SENTl.
| MEL
| In doing 80, II IS proper ! should make known
/ the principles Il will maintain. and the policy il
l will advocate.
| II will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciples of the Democratic party Of he Uated States
| II does not propose to bethe organ OF any Depart
ment of the Government, except in so far as an in
1 dependent maintenance Of the doctrines of that
| party may represent It's opinions and express its
| views,
| IL will not be ambitious TO commend itselfto the
/ people by blind fattery of their rulers. 1t will
| seek public lpport by the bold avowal of the
| sentiments which are common 10 the genuine
| democracy OF the Union, and by the condemna
| ton Of all such may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. IL will seek 10
| he (and il will cndeavor TO deserve the tiel the
/ organ OF the Democratic party OF the United
States. -a
| The SENTINEL will maintain as n fundamental
ruth of that great party that The States formed the
Union between them by the ratification OF the Con
stitittion compact by which also, they created
| the Federal Government and delegated L
| ~ their common agent, the powers expressly
| specified in il, with explicit reserYaiion OF Al
others 10 the States, or to their separate govern
| ments The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated is, therefore, usnrparou Of the
| reserved authority Of the States nv the agcnl ~
| their creation.
| The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis Of the rights Of the S,ates--under
| the Constitution--and thus by sedulously guarding
the latter, il will the efectUnv strengthen
and perpetuate the former
With regard to the exercise of the powers ofthe
Fel sral Government the SENTINEL will take ~
the rincpes of its action, that Congress shall ex-
ercis no power which has not been delegated hy
the @, institution, according TO strict and fair in-
terprei tion of lis language and spirit; and that
shat seek 10 attain la1treciiy oblect through
the exei Use of constitutional poscer for the direct
nf "A n.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used Tor no purpose, except such ~ - "irayv in-
tended by IN Constitution.
In respect To the internal administration OF the
Government The SENTINEL will su ustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party. Ii Will labor 10
incucate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
ternal pocy:-lhat this Government will besi
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 concerms-whe il 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 II.
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy will suit itself 10 the exgences,
and correspond with the expanding interests of the
country That policy should be energetic and de-
cded but should temper irmpess 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 It's guide in the course the SENTINEL viii
pursue.
The national policy of the world in this age is
essentially aggressive. In the growing 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 &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 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
colonial policy which inlringes upon our rights
and places in the pathway of our commerce a
dangerous and unfriendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, AMI, II need be by
war.
Our foreign policy should indeed, be defensive,
but TO be properly dete11siUe, L must sometimes be
apparently aggresSiUe. Our administration should
be vgilant, 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 il. We cannot
avoid il il we would We have larger interests, and
a greater stake in the world and lis destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
Of contnen Mt, with no neighbors but colony, and
o worn-out, anarchcal 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 to civilized life, and to
human proaress--our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast--our facilities and capacity for
internal aud foreign commerce more extended
than those Of any other people living under one
| government. A continent, 10 a great extent, un-
explored and exhaustless / its yet hidden wealth
il 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 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 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
aci upon the high mission TO which II is calledt
| A mission so full Of hope though so laden with
responsibility, which, if 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 Joragn policy such as the condition OF
the country demands; but will advocate II under
/ the flag ofthe country-nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unmpeachable good faith of the country. To
be respectable at home and abroad and to be great
| in the eyes of the world, it must ask for nothing
| but what is right and submit TO nothing that Is
| wrong. Ii must be liberal and magnanimous TO
| the rights Of others, and firm and rmmoveable in
insisting on It's own. II must, in fine, be true 10
its own 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 Independent and free, we shall endeavor
to be honest and truthful The true friends OF
democratic principles shall cordially support
| and defend. It's 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-tbe personal
enemy OF none of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
hest wishes for its in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which il came into power:
and in It's honest labors TO attain such end il
will find the SENTINEL. lis friend and coadJutor.
r ATER YEARS, ny the Author OF :, the
Ia Old House by the River
Mr.. Rutherfords Oh ldren, second volume
| D.ll,l.s rron, tho 4 al Shnra nr