Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-04-15
PR OSP ECT u S
..wAsHINCToN S SENTINEL, },

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
cpes of the Democratic party Of the United Stats'
il does not propose to be the organ of any Depart
ment of the Government, except in 80 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 10 commend iiselfto the
people by bind fattery of their rulers II will
seek public support by the bold avowal of the
sentiments which common to the genuine
Democracy of the Union, and by the condemna.
tion of all such as may conflict with them, from
he (and it will endeavor to deserve the title) the
organ Of the Democratic party Of the United
States
The SENTINEL will maintain, as fundamental
truth that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification Of the Con
stituton a compact; by which, also they created
the Federal Government, and delegated 10 II,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in it, with an explicit reservation OF all
others TO the States, to their separate govern
ments. The exercise Of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is therefore, usurpation of the
reserved authority of the States by the agent OF
their own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis of the rights of the Stakeholder
the Consttution-and thus by sedulously guarding
the latter, it will the more efectually strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise of the powers of the
Feceral Government the SENTINEL will take as
the rnciples of its action, that Congress shall ex
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the c. Institution, according TO strict and fair in
terpre, tion of its language and spirit; and that II
shall seek to attain tndirsctly an objectthrough
a<xf
attainme of which it has delegation Of posOsr.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for no 'urpose, except such as IL clearly 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 II will labor to
inculeate 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 douasstie eoncsrns-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 1t.
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 hberaity,
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 restessness of others, com
II kaa Iuua al...aI
self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, vii
prompt us 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 nfringes upon our rights,
and places in the pathway Of our commerce
dangerous and unfriendly rival such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, II need be, ~
war.
but 10 be properly dejensips, II must sometimes be
apparently aggressve. Our administration should
be vigant, 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 II we would. We have larger interests, and
a 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 despotlsm. 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 Ia
human progress-our mineral and manufactur1ng
resources more vast-our facilities and capacity tor
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
government. A continent, 10 a great extent, un-
explored and exhaustless IN its yet hidden wealth
II 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 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 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, il properly directed, mus,
make our confedcracy the harbinger OF peace to
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter o. Its
destiny.
The SENTINEL win, therefore, advocate bold
and earnesf fo,rgn policy such the condition OF
the country demands; but will advocate IL under
the flag ofthe country-nowheree else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unlmpeachabie good 1altn OF the country 10
be respectable al home and abroad, and 10 be great
in the eyes Of the world, il must ask for nothing
abut what is right, and submit to nothing that is
wrong. Il must be liberal and magnsnimous to
the rights Of others, and firm and Immoveable in
insisting on its own. 1t must, in fine, be true to
its own interests, rights, and honor--tcannot then
be false TO those of other nations.
Such, then, is the chart by which we shall be
guided Independent and free, we shall cndeavor
10 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 in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which IL came into power
and in its honest labors TO attain such an end u
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
r ATER YEARS, py the Author Of " the