Washington sentinel., 1856-03-20
PROSP E C TU s
..wAsHINGTnN SENTINEL.

u
IL ton, ia September, political newspaper, un-
der the name Of the WASHINGTON SENTi-
MEL
In doing so, II is proper | should make known
the principles il will maintain, and the policy II
will advocate
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin
cipes of the Democratic purity Of tho United States
il does not propose 10 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 It's opinions and express its
views.
II will not be ambitious TO commend itselfto the
people by blind fattery Of their rulers. II will
seek public 4 ipport by the bold uvowal of the
sentiments which are common to the genuine
democracy Of the Union, and by the condemna-
tion of all such as may conflict with them, from
'whaisves quarter they may come. Il will seek 10
be (and il will endeavor TO deserve the tite) the
organ Of the Democratic party Of the United
States
The SENTINEL will maintain as Il fundamental
trnh of that great party that the States formed the
inon between them by the ratification - thu ra'i
-lIniion aconp4rl; by which, also, nev crt.l'ls-d
The Federal Government and delegated ~ J.,
their common agent the powers expressly
specified in II. with an explicit reservation OF at
Others 10 the States or 10 their separate govern.
ments. The exercise oi any powers beyond thes"
thus delegated, is, therefore an usurpaton oi the
reserved authority of the States Nv The sgent ~
their own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis of the rights of the States-under
the Constitution--and thus by seduonsly guarding
the latter, il will the more efec'uslly strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise of the powers oftnr
Fec sral Government, the SENTINEL. will take
the rincipes of It's action, that Congress shall ex-
ercs power which has not been delegated by
the c. institution, according TO strict and fair in
terprel tion of its language and spirit; and thai II
.L,11 ,Nt.,
the exeI Use Of constitutional posoer for the direct
attainme Of which it has no delegation of poacey
In Other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must br
used for no 'urpose, except snch as u cleariv IN
tended by tn Constitution.
In respect TO the internal administration Of the
Government, The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic. party. 1t will labor 10
nculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
terna 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 eoncerns-while 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 il.
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy as 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 hberality,
and make its highest ends consist with the srictest
principles of justice. The real interests of the
country, upon each 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 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 TO avoid il in the affairs Of other coun
tries nnless 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 a
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 to be properly defsnsipe, must sometimes be
apparently aggyesstpe. 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. 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
greater stake in the world and its destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
of a continent, with neighbors but colony, and
a 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 lfe and 10
human progrcss-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-ourfacilties and capacity Tor
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those Of any other people living under one
government. continent, 10 a great extent, un-
explored and exhausuess IN its yet hidden wealth
is at feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or must
be made through our own limits. Europe, Asia,
Africa, and the isles Of the sea- lying all around
US, look to 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
people refuse TO lay hold upon their destiny and
act upon the high mission TO which II is calledf
A mission so full Of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, If properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbnger Of peace TO
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter Of its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foyslgn policy, such the condition OF
the country demands but II will advocate II under
the flag ofthe country-nowhers else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent win the spoticss honor
and unimpeachable 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 Il must be liberal and magnanmous 10
tie rights OF Others and firm and Inmoveable in
insisting on its 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 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 press OF its own party-the personal
enemy of none Of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
est 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 an end il
will find tho SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor
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