Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-09-30
PROSPECTUS
Nv AsHrNGToN SENTINEL.

l ton. in September, a political newspaper, nn-
der the name of the WASHINGTON SENTl-
MEL.
In doing so, il is proper I should make known
the principles il will maintain, and the policy It
will advocate.
Il will support cordially and earnestly the prin-
cpes of the Democratic party Of he United States
II does not propose to be the organ OF any Depart
ment Of The Government. except in so far an in
dependent maintenance of the doctrines OF that
party may represent its opinions and express IFS
views.
II win not be ambitious TO commend itselfto the
people by blind hauery Of their rulers. Il will
seek public support by the bold avowal OF the
sentiments which are common TO the genuine
Democracy Of the Union and by the condemna-
tion of all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II viii seek TO
be (and il will endeavor TO deserve the ttle) 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-
stitution a compact; by which, also, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated 10 H.
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 nsurpation 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 Constitution--and thus by sedulousy guarding
the latter, it will the efectually strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise of the powers of the
Federal Government, the SENTINEL will take
the principles of its action, that Congress shall
ercise no power which has not been delegated by
the Constitution, according to strict and fair in
depreciation OF its language and spirit; and that il
shall not seek to attain inarectky object through
the exercise of constitutional pocer, for the direct
attainment Of which il has delegation Of po,cer.
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. a.-s
In respect to the internal administration of the
Government, the SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party II will labor to
inculcate 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 10 exercise
power, and more anxious to preserva liberty; and
by leaving to the individual States the manage
ment OF all their domestic coneerns-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 it.
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.
make It's hlgheSt ends consist WIN the
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 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 rcstlessness of others, COM
mon motive to colonial extension has developed
itself.
Our settled determination TO repe interference
Ear, with masfjc
prompt us TO avoid in the affairs of other coun-
tries uncss by their foreign or colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, our security endan-
gered, or interests invaded For when the
selfish interests of other nations prompt foreign
or colonial policy which infringes upon our rights.
and places in the pathway Of our commerce
dangerous and unfrieudy rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, II need be, by
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed be defensive;
but to be properly derRsirc, il must sometimes be
apparentiy az ercSSire. Our administration should
be vigilant, watchful, and energetic The world
is full of important movements commerciai and
political, deeply concerning American trade and
American power II is time we had an American
foreign policy. We must have it. 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 no neighbors but a colony and
a worn-out anarchcal dcspotism. We are the
only 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 to
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 A continent, to great extent, un-
explored and exhausess in its yet hidden wealth,
is at our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or must
be made through our own limits. Europe, ASA:
Africa and the isles of the sea. lying all around
us look 10 MS 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 barbarsm and supersti-
ton of the millions of the world. And shall such
a people refuse TO lay hold upon their destiny and
act upon the high mission TO which it is called?
A mission so full of hope, though so laden with
responsibility. which, if properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger of peace to
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter of its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will therefore, advocate a bold
and earnest foreign policy, such as the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate 1t under
the flag ofthe country--nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotess honor
and unimpeachabe good faith of the country To
be respectable home and abroad, and TO be great
in the eyes of the world, il must ask for nothing
but what is right, and submit TO nothing that is
wrong II must be liberal and maananimous to
the rights of others, and firm and immoveable in
insisting on its own. II must, in fine, be true to
its own interests. rights, and honor--t cannot then
lie false TO those Of other nations.
Such, then s the chart by which we shall be
guided. Independent and free, we shall endeavor
10 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--tho personal
enemy Of none of the other
The present Democratic Administration has our
best wishes for its success in the establishment of
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
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