Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-01
y~ PROSPECTUS
or THE
NV ASHIN(;TON SENTINEL.D

r PROPOSE TO publish in the city Of Washing
j ton, in September, "a political newspaper. un-
der the name of the WASHINGTON SENTI-
NEgl
ii doing 50, it is proper ] should make known
the principles il win maintain and the policy it
will advocate.
1t will support cordially and earnestly the prin-
cipes Of the Democratic party Of tie United States.
II does not propose to be the organ of any Depart
n,ent Of the Government, except in 30 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 itselfto the
people by blind hattery Of their rulers II will
seek public support by the bold avowal Of the
sentiments which common 10 the genuine
Democracy Of the Union, and by the condemna-
lion OF all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II will seek to
be land it will endeavor to deserve the title) the
organ Of the Democratic party of the United
States. sr
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-
sttution as 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, or to their separate govern
ments. The exercise Of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is therefore, an 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 States-under
the Consttution-and thus by seduously guarding
rhe latter, it will the more eiectualy strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard TO the exercise of the powers Of the
Federal Government, the SENTINEL will take as
the principles Of its action, that Congress shall ex-
ercise no power which has not been delegated by
the Constitution according to a strict and fair ip-
depreciation of its language and spirit; and that
shall n hPOlluh
the exercise of constitutional po'cer, for the direct
attainment Of which it has no delegation Of powsr.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly granted, and all granted powers must be
used for no purpose, except such as is clearly in
tended by the Constitution.
In respect to the internal administration Of the
Government, the SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy Of the Democratic party. II will labor 70
incucate 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 domestic c0nrerns--whe 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 il. l.
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy will suit itself to the exgencies,
and correspond with the expanding interests OF the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
eided but should temper frmness with hberality,
and make its highest ends consist with the stricest
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 nntona, 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
itself
Our settled determination TO repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt to avoid il in the affairs of other coun-
tries, unless by their foreign or colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, our security entan-
gered, our interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests Of other nations prompt a foreign
or colonial policy which infrngcs upon our rights,
and places in the pathway of our commerce
dangerous and unfriendy rival, such policy must
be resisted by re,nonstrance, and, if need be- by
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive;
but to be property aefsnsirr il must sometimes be
apparently aggressive Our administration should
be vigianl, watchfnl, 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 a continent with no neghhors hnt colony, and
a worn-out, anarchcal dcspotsm. We arc the
only people whose own land, without colonial de-
pendencies is washed by the two great oceans Of
the world. Our agricultural productions are more
varied and more essential to civilized life. and TO
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast--omr facilities and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
government A continent, to great extent, I'M
explored and cxhaustess in its yet hidden wealth.
s al our feet. European trade secksthc 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 to us 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 TO triumph over the barharism and supcrst
ton OF the millions of the world And shall such
people refuse to lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon tho high mission TO which il is called !?
A mission SO full Of hope though SO laden with
responsibility, which, if properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbingcr Of peace to
the world, well us the peaceful arbter of its
destiny
The SENTINEL WILL therefore, advocate a bold
and earnest ore'gn policy, such as the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate Il under
the flag Ofihc country--nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeachablc good faith OF the country. To
lie respectable at home and abroad, and to be great
IN the eyes OI the WOrlu, u VSk LOT nutnlnS
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 immovcable in
insisting its own. II must. in fine, be true to
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 VIC 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
cna;ny of none Of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
hest wishes for its success in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which i; came into power;
and in its honest labors to attain such an end II
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
TERMS For the Daily paper, $40 year. in ad-
vance. For the Tri-weekly, S5 year TO single
subscribers, and to clubs persons subscribing for
3or more copies, at the rate Of 80 year. For the
Weekly, 50 year 10 single subscribers, and to