Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-04-12

L
i ton, in September, a political newspaper, un
der the name Of the WASHINGTON SENTI
MEL.
In doing so, it is proper | should make known
the principles II will maintain, and the policy i
will advocate.
1t will support cordially and earnestly the prin
cipes of the Democratic party Of ts Unjted StGtfs
il does not propose TO be the organ of any Deparl
ment OF the Government, except IN so far rs an in
| dependent maintenance of the doctrines of that
party may represent It's opinions aud express s
| views.
1t will not be ambitious TO nd itselflo the
| people by blind laltery 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 condenina-
| ton OF all such as may conflict with them, from
j whatever quarter they may come. Il will seek 10
be tand il will endeavor deserve the titlel 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.
stituton compact; by which, also they created
1 the Federal Government and delegated TO Il,
as their common agent the powers expressly
| specified in il, with an explicit reservation of all
others 10 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.
| ne SENTlNEL VIII upnOld ana deienu the Union
/ upon the basis of the rights of the States-under
| the Constituton--and thus by sedulousiy guarding
the latter, it will the electualiy strengthen
| and perpetuae the former.
With regard to the exercise of the powers of the
| Fec eral Government, the SENTiNEL will take
the rnciples of its action, that Congress shall
| ercis power which has not been delegated by
the O. Institution, according to strict and fair in
terprei ton of its language and spirit and that il
shall nt seek TO attain indirectly object through
the Use of constitutional yorcer for the airec
attainme [ OF which il has dbsgGtiOn of poaeer
| In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for no purpose, except such a. is clearly in
| tended by III Constitution.
In respect 10 the internal administration of the
Government, The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party. Ii viii labor to
inculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
ternal policy:-lhat 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 10 preserve liberty; and
by leaving TO the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic c6Rcey5ls-while II 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 progressiv
foreign policy as will suit itself 10 the exgencies,
and correspond with the xpanding interests of the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cded but should temper frmness with lberality,
and make its highest ends consist with the strlctesi
principles of Justice. The real interests Of the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention
will be its guide in the 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 restlrssness Of others, com
mon motive 10 colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, wi
prompt us to avoid il in the affairs of other coun
tries, naiesS by their foreign or colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, our security endan
gered interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests OF other nations prompt foreign
or colonial policy which inirInges upon our rights,
and places in the path hway OF our commerce
dangerous and unfrendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, II need be, ty
Our foreign policy should indeed, be defensive,
but 10 be properly d,fsnSiUe, 4 must sometimes be
apparently aggresStUe. 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 il. We cannot
avoid il If 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 a continent, with neighbors but colony, and
q worn-out, anarchcal 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 tc
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vas-our facilities and capacltytOr
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
government. A continent, 10 great extent, IN.
explored and exhaustiess IN it's yet hidden wealth
IL al 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 the rising power, through The
agency of whose example, and ever widening and
extending, though peoceful influences, the bless
ings of liberty, civilization, and religion, are des
tined TO triumph over the baTbarsm and superstl-
ton OF the millions Of the world. And shall such
people refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission TO which Il is called
A mission full of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, i properly directed, must
make our coniederacy the harbingcr OF peace 10
the world, as well the peaceful arbitcr of its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate a bold
and earnest Joretgn pulley, such AZ the condition OF
the country demands; but IL will advocate ii under
the flag ofthe country--nowhero else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotess honor
and unimpeachable good faith of the country. To
be- respectable al home and abroad, and 10 be great
IN the eyes OF the WOrlu, must ASK lOI HoNhlBg
but what is right, and submit TO nothing that Is
wrong. II must he liberal and magnanimous 10
the rights Of others, and firm and Im,novcabe in
insisting on lis own. Ii must, in fine, he true 10
It's own interests, rights. and honor-it cannot then
be false 10 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 dc.
nounce.
To our future brethren Of the press we extend
the hand Of friendly greeting. The Sentinel is the
rival of no press OF lis own party-ihe personai
enemy OF none of the other.
| The present Democratic Administration has
hest wishes for its success in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which itcame into power;
| and in its honest labors 10 attain such an end II
| will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadIutor.
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