Washington sentinel., 1856-03-18
? R OSP Il G L u s
w AsHINGToN SENTINEL,

4 ton, in September, a political newspaper, un-
der the name Of the WASHINGTON SENTI-
Mel.
in dong So ii is proper should make known
the principles il will maintain, and the policy il
will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciples of The Democratic party Of the United STATES
u does not propose 10 be the organ of any Depart
ment OF the Government except in far an in
dependent maintenance of the doctrines Of that
party may represent ts opinions aud express us
views.
II will not be ambitious TO commend itsestio the
people by blind fattery of their rulers. IL will
seek public support by the bold avowal of the
sentiments which are. common to the genuine
democracy of the Union, and by the condemna-
ion of all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. IL will Seek 10
be (and ii will endeayor tn deserve the tite) the
organ of the Democratic party of the United
States.
The SENTINEL will maintain, as fundamental
truth of that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification of the Con-
sninton as compact; Ivy which, also, they created
thf Federal Government and delegated 10 e,
~ their common agent, the powers expressly
specified IN it, with explicit reservation ot all
others 10 the States, 10 their separate govero-
meats. The exercise of any powers beyond these
ihus delegated, is therefore, an usurpaton OF the
reserved authority OF the States nv the agent ot
their own creation.
The SENTINEL viii uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis Of the rights of the Staes---under
the Consttution-and thus by sedulouslv guarding
The latter IL will the edectpay >r-ngthen
aud perpeluate the former.
With regard to the exercise OF the powers OF the
f-L eral Government, the SENTINEL will take
the rnciples of its action, that Congress shall ex-
ercis power which has not been delegated by
the q institution, according TO strict and fair in
irrpre, ton ofils language and spirit; and thai it
shall seek 10 attain indirectly object through
the Use OF constitutional p0,yer, for the direct
attainme of which il has delsg0t'on Of posDsr.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted and all granted powers must be
used for no ,urpose, except such ~ clearly in
tended by tn Constitution.
In respect TO the internal administration OF th.
Government, The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party. II will labor 10
inculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
ternal 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 comoerns-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 il.
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy will suit itself to the exgencies,
and correspond with the expanding interests OF the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cided; but should temper firmness with Hberality,
and make its highest ends consist with the strictest
principles of justice. The real interests of the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention
will be its guide in the course the SENTINEL will
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 us 10 avoid il in the affairs of other coun
tries, unless by their foreign colonial policy
peace should be threatened, our security endan
gered, or interests invaded For when the
selfish interests of other nations prompt foreign
or colonial policy which nfringes upon our rights,
and places in the pathway oI our commerce
dangerous and unfricndly rival such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, if need be, ny
Our foreign policy should. indeed be defensive,
but 10 be properiy defe',SiUe, must sometimes be
apparently aggressive. Our administration should
be vigiiant, watchiul, and energetic. The world
is full Of important movements, commercial and
political, deeply concerning American trade and
American power. 1t is time we had an American
foreign policy We must have H. We cannot
avoid il ii We would. We have larger interests, and
n greater stake III the WOrtu ana It's destiny, tnnn
every other people. We occupy the best portion
OF continent, with neighbors but a colony, and
u worn-out anarchical despotism. We 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 Ia
human progress--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 TO a great extent, un-
explored and exhaustless IN its yet hidden wealth
il al our 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
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
II people refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission TO which II is called (!
A mission so full of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, if properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger of peace 10
the world as well as the peaceful arbiter of its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy, such as the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate il 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
he respectable al 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 nagnanimous 10
the rights of others, and firm and imnoveable in
insisting on its own. II must in fine, be true TO
is own interests rights, and honorit cannot then
be false 10 those Of other nations,
Such, then, is the chart by which 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
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 its 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 il came into power;
| and in its honest abors to attain such an end il
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.