Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-03-11
P R &c T u s
..wAsHINGToN SENTINEL. !,

der the name oi the ASHlNfpTON SENTl
MEL
In doing 50, II is proper | should make known
the principles il will maintain and the policy il
will advocate
Il will support cordially and earnestly The prn
ciples of the Democratic party Of The United States
il does not propose 10 be the organ of any Depart
ment of the Cove ernmenl, 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 tselfto the
people by blind fattery Of their rulers. II will
seek public support by the bold avowal of the
sentiments which are common 10 the genuine
democracy of the Union, and by the condemna-
tion Of all such may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. IL will seek TO
be (and il will endeavor to deserve the title) the
organ of the Democratic party Of the United
States.
The SENTINEL will maintain, a fundamental
truth ofthat great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification Of the Con
,itntio. as acempaet; by which, ase. they create
the Federal Government, and delegate, ~ li
their common agent, the powers expressly
specified IN il. with explicit reservation Of all
others 10 the States, or 10 their separate govern
ments. The exercise Of any powers beyond thes.,
thus delegated is, therefore, an usurpation OF the
reserved authority ot the States by the agent of
heir own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis of the rights Of tho States--under
the Consiitution--and thus by sedulously guarding
the latter, il will the more eectually strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard 10 the exercise OF the powers OF the
Fec srala Government, the SENTINEL will take ar
he rincpes of its action. that Congress shall ex-
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the c. nstitufioE, according to strict and fair in
terpre, lion Of its language and spirit; and that
shall n. seek to attain indirectly object through
the ise OF poicer for the direct
Hitainme I Of which il has 10 dekgGtion Of po,cey
IL other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must br
used for mo- purpose, except sich A. ~ clearly IN
tended by III Constitution.
In respect 10 the internal administrations OF the
Government, he SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy Of the Democratic party. II will labor 10
incucate this cardinal doctrine OF Democratic in
iernal policy; THAT this Government will best
promote the freedom and prosperity OF the people
Of the States by being less ambitious 10 exercise
power, and more anxious TO preserve Liberty; and
by leaving to the individual States the manage
ment of all their donsestn coacsrns-whie 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 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 liberality,
and make its highest ends consist with the strctest
principles Of justice. The real interests OF the
country, upon each occssion 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 10 colonial extension has developed
self F sa
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt us TO avoid il in the affairs of other coun
tries, unless by their foreign colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, our security endan
gered or our interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests of other nations prompt a foreign
or colonial policy which infringes upon our rights.
and places in the pathway Of our commerce
dangerous and unfriendy rival, such policy must
he resisted by remonstrance, and, if need be, by
war @.is
Our foreign policy should. indeed, be defensive,
but TO be properly defensive, must sometimes be
apparently aggressive. Our administration should
be vigilani, waichful, and energetic. The world
is full Of important movements, commercial and
political, deeply concerning American trade and
American power. Il 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 coninen nj with no neghbors but q colony, and
a worn-out, anarchical despotsm. We are the
olny people whose own land without colonial de-
tendencies, 10 washed by the two great oceans OF
the world. Our agricultural productions are more
varied and more essential 10 civilized hfe and 10
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, 10 great extent, un-
explored and exhaustess IN its yet hidden wealth
is M 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 TO us as ths rising power, through the
agency of whose example, and ever widening and
extending, though pesceful Influences the bless
ings Of liberty civilization, and religion, des-
tined TO triumph over the barbarism and supersti.
ton Of the millions Of the world. And shall such
people refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission 10 which - calledf
mission so full Of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, IL properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbnger OF pence TO
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter Of its
destiny. Aan aAt na.N
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest forstgn policy such the condition OF
the country demands; but IL will advocate IL under
the flag ofthe country--nowhers else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
be respectable nj home and abroad and 10 be great
in the eyes Of the world 1t must ask for nothing
but what is right aud submit to nothing that is
wrong Il must be liberal and magnsnimous 10
The rights Of others, and firm and immoveable in
insisting on its own. Il must, in fne, be true TO
it's own interests rights, and honort 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 Its enemies IN the field or in ambush
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 It's own party--the personal
enemy of none OF the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
est wishes for iis success in the establishment
the great principles upon which il came into power,
and in its honest labors TO attain such an end IL
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
r ATER YEARS, ny the Author Of :. the
II Ola Honse hv the RIVER