Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-02
PROSPECTUS
OF TIE
wv ASHlN(sTO SENTINEL

ii III.
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 States
Ii does moi propose to be the organ Of any Depart
ment Of the Government, except in so 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 itself to the
people by blind hattery 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-
ton Of all such may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come II will seek to
be (and will endeavor 10 deserve the title) the
organ Of the Democratic party Of the United
States. s.
The SENTINEL viii ma 'r,ain as a fundamental
truth Of that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification Of the Con-
sttution compact; by which also, they created
the Federal Government. and delegated 10 il.
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in il, with 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 usurpaton 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 Constnuton-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
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 strict and fair in
depreciation of its language and spirit; and that II
shall seek attain indirectly object through
The exercise Of constitutional popsr for the direct
attainment Of which it has no 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.
In respect To the internal administration Of the
Government, the SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party It will labor to
incucate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
tcrnal poicy:--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 d6mestic c0neernS-while it 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.
ThesSENTlNEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy will suit itself to the exlgencies,
and correspond with the expanding interests Of the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cided hut should temper firnness with liberalty,
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. ]"
essentially aggressive. In the growing sense Of
weakness of some Of the nations Of the Old World
and the ambitious restlcssness 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 us 10 avoid il in the affairs Of other coun-
tries. mnlrss by their foreign or colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, our security cndan-
gered, or our 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 a
dangerous and nnfrendly rival, sucha policy must
be resisted by rcmonstrance, and, if need be, by
war.
Cur foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive:
hut TO be property dfrnsirs It must sometimes be
apparently ngSyeSsire. Our administration should
be vigant. watchfu, 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 it. 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 continent. with no ncighbors but a colony, and
worn-out, anarchical dcspotism. We are the
only people whose own land, without colonial de-
the world. Our agricultural productions more
varied and more essential to civilized life. and to
human progress-o,lr mineral and manufacturing
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 a great extent, IN
explored and cxhaustless in its yet hidden wealth.
is at our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or must
lie made through our own limits. Europe, Asia.
frrn md flIa SlaSn ff hn
MS, look to us as 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 superst.
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 il is called !!
mission full of hope, though SO laden with
responsibility, which, If properly directed, must
make our conirdcracy the harbnger Of peace to
The world, as we'll as the peaceful arbitcr of its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will. therefore, advocate a bold
and earnest joeien policy such as the condition OF
tho country demands; but it will advocate It under
the flag ofthc country-nowhcrc else. lis foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeachablc good faith the country. To
lie respectable ut home and abroad, and TO be great
in the eyes Of the world, it must ask for nothing
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 immoveable in
insisting on its own 1t must. IN me, be true 10
It's own interests, rights and honor-it cannot then
bc false to those Of other nations.
Such, then. is the chart by which We shall be
guided Independent and free, we shall cndeavor
10 he 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--tho personal
enemy Of none of the other.
W. present Democratic Administration has our
best wishes for it's success in the establishment Of
the great principles upon which il came into power:
and in It's honest abors to attain such an end il
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
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