Washington sentinel., 1853-10-09
PROSPECTUS
OF THE
"M SENTINEL

der the name OF the WASHINGTON SENTl-
MEL.
In doing So il is proper ! should make known
the principles it viii maintain, and the policy il
will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prn-
cpes of the Democratic party Of tie United States
II does not propose 10 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 its
views.
1t will not be ambitious TO commend itselfto the
people by blind lattery 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-
tion OF all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come IL will seek to
be (and it will endeavor deserve the title) 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-
stituton as 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 TO their separate govern
ments. The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated is, therefore, 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 Constitution-and thus by sedulousy guarding
the latter, il will the more efectualy strengthen
and perpetuate the former
With regard TO the exercise Of the powers ofthe
Federal Government, the SENTINEL will take as
the principles of It's 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 indrecty objectth
the exercise of constitutional po,cer. 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.
In respect to the internal administration of the
Government, the SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party. 1t will labor 10
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 to the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic concerns-while 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 it.
The SENTINEL will advocate such a progressive
foreign policy will suit itself TO the exigences,
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 its highest ends consist with the strctes
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 restlessness of others, COM
mon motive to colonial extension has developed
itself ..
Our settled determination 10 rcpel Interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt TO avoid il in the affairs of other coun-
tries, nness by their foreign or 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 infrnges upon our rights,
and places in the pathway of our commerce a
dangerous and unfriendy rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, II need be- by
war. .".M. ....
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive;
but 10 be property defsnsire, il must sometimes be
apparently aggreSsice. Our administration should
be vigilant, watchful, and energetic The world
is full of important movements, commercial and
POLITICAL deeply concerning American trade and
American power 1t 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 a continent with no neighbors but colony, and
a worn-out, anarchica despotism We are the
only people whose own land, without colonial de-
Tendencies, is washed by the two great oceans OF
varied and more essential TO civilized life. and to
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
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 I'M
explored and exhaustless in its yet hidden wealth
is at feet. European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or must
he made through our own limits. Europe, Asia,
Africa and the isles of the sea lying all around
ne Iaply IN ne he rgint
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
tion 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
A 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
and earnest foreign policy such the condition OF
the country demands; but it will advocate il under
the flag ofthe country--nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeachable good faith of the country. To
be respectable at 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 10
the rights Of others, and firm and immoveable in
insisting on its own. II must. in fine, be true 10
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 shall cordially support
and defend Its enemies in the field or n'ambnsh
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
rvsl 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 success in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which il came into power
and in its honest abors 10 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, So year TO single
subscribers and TO clubs persons subscribing for
or more copies, at the rate Of So year For the
Weekly So year to single subscribers, and TO
al,Ls or narsons rihinr for five or more comics