Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-09-24
PROSPECTUS
OF THE
.WAsHINCTON SENTINEL

MEL. J. A'''e : -
In doing So il il proper should make known
he principles il will maintain, and The policy II
will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin-
cipes of the Democratic party of the United States
il does not propose 10 be the organ of any Depart
nent of the Government except in so far az an in
dependent maintenance of the doctrines of that
party may represent its opinions and express its
views.
people by blind fattery Of their rulers II 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-
| tdn OF oil such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II will seek to
b (and il will endeavor TO deserve the title) the
organ Of the Democratic party of the United
Sntes
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-
stiiution compact by which, also, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated 10 it,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in IL 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 usnrpaton 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 latter, il will the more efectualy 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
Iercise no power which has not been delegated by
the Constitution, according 10 strict and fair in
depreciation of its language and spirit; and that it
shall seek to attain indirectly object through
the exercise of constitutional poper for the direct
attainment OF which il has no delegation Of pocs,.
- IL. Ill n.
clearly granted, and all granted powers must be
used for no purpose, except such 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 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 to exercise
power, and more anxious to preserve liberty; and
by leaving 10 the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic concer,,s--while il
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.
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 firmness with liberalty,
consist
principles OF justice. The real interests of the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention,
will be its guide in ahe 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 restlessnessr of others, a COM
mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
itself
1cn. led .-..r..;-a..La -rrr, interference
ohr xvith Ollr SUtI
prompt us to avoid il in the affairs of other coun-
fries uless by their foreign or colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, our security endan-
gered, or our interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests of other nations prompt foreign
or colonial policy which nfrinees upon our rights,
and places in the pathway oe our commerce a
dangerous and unfriepdly rival such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and il need be, by
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive
but TO be property deteasiav il must sometimes be
apvarsntiy aggressive. Our administration should
be vigilant watchfid and energetic The world
ID full of important movements, commercial and
political, deeply concerning American trade and
foreign policy. We must have H., We cannot
avoid il ii we would. We have larger interests and
greater stake in the world and its destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the nest portion
OF d continent with no neighbors but eolony, and
worn-out, anarchical despotism We are the
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 vast-our facilities and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
government. continent, to great extent, un-
explored and exhaustess in its yet hidden wealth,
is at our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or must
xyn rtfrhS S,ttr limit
Africa, and the isles of the sea. lying all around
itis, look 10 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 dcs-
tined TO triumph over the bafbarism and supersti-
lion Of the millions Of the world. And shall such
people refuse TO lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission 10 which il is called
mission so full Of hope, though SO laden with
responsibility, which, if properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbnger OF peace TO
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter OF its
destiny.
The SENTINEL WILL therefore advocate bold
aud earnest foreign policy, such as the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate il under
the flag fthe country--nouhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and nnimpeachable good faith Of the country. To
be respectable at home and abroad and TO be great
,ts sy.s - ~ -.---, = .....s' .sL for nothing
wrong. II must be liberal and magnanimoua "a
the rights OF others and firm and immoveable in
4 insisting on s own. Il must. in fine be true Ia
its own interests rights, and honor-it cannot then
be false to those Of other nations.
Such then, is 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 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--the personal
enemy Of none Of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
best wishes for its in the establishment OF
the great principles upon whichit came into power;
and in its honest abors 10 attain such an end il
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
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