Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-04-17
P ROSPE EC TU S
OF THE
.WASHINGTON SENTINEL

IT PROPOSE to publish in the city Of Washing
IL ton, in September, political newspaper, un-
der the name of the WASHINGTON SENTI.
MEL
In doing so, il 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
il does not propose to 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 its opinions and express its
views.
II will not be ambitious TO commend itself TO the
people by a blind aattery of their rulers. II will
sentiments which are common TO the genuine
democracy of the Union, and by the condemna-
ton of all such may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II will seek to
he (and il will endeavor to deserve the title) the
organ of the Democratic party Of the United
States.
The SENTINEL will maintaia, as Fundamental
truth of that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification of the Con-
sttution az compact; by which, also, they created
the Federal Government and delegated 10 IL,
their common agent the powers expressly
specified in it, with an explicit reservation of all
others TO the States, or to their separate govern
ments. The exercise Of any powers beyond these
thus delegated is, therefore, an dsurpation of the
reserved authority of the States by the agent OF
their own creation. LII.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis Of the rights of the States-under
the Constitution-and thus by sedulousy guarding
the latter, it will the effectually strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise of the powers Of the
Fec era Government, the SENTINEL will take
the rincpes of its action, that Congress shall ex-
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the G, Institution, according to strict and fair in
erpre, tion of its language and spirit; and that il
shall seek to attain indirectly objectthrough
the Use of constitutional potoer, for the direct
attainme Of which il has delegation Of posoer.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for no ,urpose, except such as is clearly in
tended by III Constitution.
In respect TO the internal administration of the
Government, The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party. II will labor to
inculcate this cardinal doctrine OF Democratic in
ternal policy:-,hat 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 it 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 it,
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
and correspond with the expanding interests of the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cided; but should temper frmness with liberality,
and make its highest ends consist with the strlctest
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 tc repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, vii
prompt 10 avoid il in the affairs of other coun
tries unless by their foreign colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, our security cndan
gered, or our interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests Of other nations prompt foreign
or colonial policy which infringes upon our rights,
and places in the pathway OF our commerce
dangerous and unfriendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrancc, and, if need be, sy
war.
Our foreign policy should indeed, be defensive,
but to be properly defensive, il must sometimes be
apparently aggresstUe. Our administration should
be vigiant, 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
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
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 life, and 10
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vastour facilities and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
government. A continent, 10 great extent, un-
explored and cxhaustless IN its yet hidden wealth
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 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 supcrst-
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 caledf
A mission so full of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, if properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger of peace TO
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter OF it's
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy, such as the condition OF
the country demands; but II will advocate IL under
the flag ofthe country-nowhere else. Its foreign
and unimpeachable good faith Of the country. To
be respectable at 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 TO
the rights Of others, and firm and Immoveable in
insisting on IFS own. Ii must in fine, be true TO
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 shah 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 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
the great principles upon which itcame into power
and in its honest labors to attain such an end Il
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
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