Washington sentinel., 1856-04-01
PROSPECTU u S
OF THk
wv WASHINGTON SENTENEi,.,

\ ! =
| MEL
] In dong 50, IL is proper | should make know
| the principles u will maintain. and the policy
| will advocate.
| Il will support cordially and earnestly the prln
ciples of the Democratic party of tho Ultte9 SaAe
| II does not propose TO be the organ of any Depar
ment OF the Government, except in far a il
| dependent maintenance of the doctrines OF tha
| party may represent lis opinions and express III
views.
IL will not be ambitious TO commend itself TO tb,
people by blind fattery of their rulers. II vii
seek public slppori by the bold avowa Of tht
sentiments which are common 10 the genuine
Democracy Of the Union, and by the condemna
| llon OF all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they my "pme II viii stsf :,
be fsnd II VIII cnoeavor 10 deserve the ttej ths
| organ of the Democratic party Of the Unite,
States.
The SENTINEL will mantain, as findamenta
ruth of that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratfcation Of the CoG
>titution AZ compact; by which, alsa they create,
he Federal Government, and delegated 10 y
AZ their common agent. the powers expresslS
specified in il, with AN explicit reservation of NJ
Others 10 the States, 10 their separate govern
ments. The exercise Of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is therefore an usurpaion of the
reserved authority Of the States by The agent o
their own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis Of the rights of tho States--under
the Constitnton--aud thus by seduously guarding
the latter, ii will The efeciually strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise of the powers Of the
Fec eral Government, the SENTINEL will take as
the rinciples of lis action that Congress shall ex-
ercs power which has not been delegated by
the G, Institution, according TO strict and fair in
terpre, ton of its language and spirit; and that il
shall nt seek 10 attain 5ntirsctLy object through
the of constitutional po11er, for the direct
I gfso Of DOJ
In othor words all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must he
used for no purpose, except such az is clearly in
tended by tn Constitution.
In respect 10 the internal administration of the
Government, The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party. II will labor 10
nculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
iernal policy that this Government will bes'
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 domestic c0nceTnS-while il
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 lis highest ends consist with the strctest
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 restlessness of others, com
mon motive 10 colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, vii
prompt TO avoid il in the affairs of other
tries aRIcsS by their foreign colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, our security endan
gered, our interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests of other nations prompt foreign
or colonial policy which inirnges upon our rights
and places in the pathway Of our commerce a
dangerous and unfriendy rival, such policy musi
be resisted by remonstrance, ana il need be, "
Our foreign policy should. indeed, be defensive,
but 10 be properly defsHSiUe, il must sometimes be
oppaye1itiy aggreSsiUo. Our administration should
he 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
greater stake in the world and its destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
OF continent, with neighbors but a colony and
q 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 10 civilized life. and te
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-ourfaciitesa 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
ia al Our feet N a \ The a-l
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 10 as 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 10 triumph over the barbarism and supersti.
ton Of the millions ei the world. And shall such
people refuse TO lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission 10 which II is called
mission so full of hope, though laden with
responsibility, which, if properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbnger of peace 10
the world, as well the peaceful arbiter Of It's
destiny.
The SENTINEL. will therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy, such as the condition oI
the country demands but il viii advocate IL under
the flag ofthe country-nowhcre else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeachabe good faith OF the country To
be respectable al home and abroad and 10 be great
IN The eyes OF the world, IL must ask tor notning
but what is right, and submit TO nothing that is
wrong. IL must be liberal and magnsnimous 10
the rights of others, and firm and lmmoveable in
insisting on It's own. IL must, in fine, be true 10
its interests, rights and honor--it cannot hen
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 oi
democratic principles shall cordially support
and defend. Its enemies in the field 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 j. The
rival Of no press OF its own party--the persons
enemy of none of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
test wishes for its success in the establishment oi
the great principles upon which il came into power
aud in It's honest labors 10 attain such end IL
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjuior