Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-24
PROSPECTUS
80 or THE
yawAsHINGTON SENTINEL

-
In doing so, il is proper should make known
the principles il win maintain, and the policy il
will advocate. 5a e1g6 ss B
II win support cordially and earnestly the prin-
ciples of ihe Democratic party of tho Uited States
il does not propose to be the organ Of any Depart
ment 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. ga - 81 sgaf Il
4 II will not be ambitious TO commend itsefto the
people by blind fattery Of their rulers. Il will
seek public support by the bold ayowal Of the
sentiments which are common TO the genuine
Democracy of the Union, and by the condemna-
ton Of all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II will seek 70
be (and il will endeavor to deserve the ttle) the
organ Of the Democratic party Of the United
States. 3g4Nsi il3t& uit5 5Ag s8 III 1rl afaie
The SENTINEL will maintain, as a fundamental
truth Of that great party, that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification of the Con-
sttution as compact; by which, also, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated TO il,
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, 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 Constitution--and thus by sedulously guarding
the latter, il will the more eectually strengthen
aud perpetuate the former. ~ ys
With regard to the exercise of the powers ofthe
Federal Government, the SENTINEL viii 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 i'm
terpretation Of its language and spirit and that il
shall not seek to attain sndirsly anobject through
the exercise Of Constitutional po.rer, for the direct
attainment Of which it has allegation Of poicer.
In other words, all powers. exercised must be
clearly granted, and all granted powers must be
used for no purposes except such as is clearly in
tended by the Constitution. ,s.s-...
In respect to the internal administration Of the
Government, the SENTINEL viii sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party. II will labor 10
inculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
ternal policy :-7ihat 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 preserve liberty; and
by leaving TO the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic conecrnswhile il 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.
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy as 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 frmDess with liberality
and make its highest ends consist with the strctcst
principles Of justice. The real interests Of the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention,
viii be its guide in the course the SENTINEL win
pnrsne. q
The national policy OF the world in this age is
essentially aggressive. In the growing sense OF
weakness OF some ofthe nations Of the Old World,
and the ambitious restrssness Of others, com
mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
iself. .sF...
Our settled determination 10 repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt us TO avoid il in the affairs Of other coun
tries unless by their foreign 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 infrnges upon our rights
and places in the pathway Of our commerce a
dangerous and uhfriendy rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, IL need be, by
war. F t4,
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive
but 10 be property defensive, IL must sometimes be
apparently aggressiue 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. Il is time we had an American
foreign policy. We must have il. We cannot
avoid il II we would We have larger interests, and
greater stake in the world and It's destiny, than
every other people, We occupy the best portion
Of continent, with ncighbors but colony, and
A worn-out, anarchicai despotism. We are the
only people whose own land, without colonial de-
tendencies, is washed by the two great oceans OF
be world. Our agricultural productions are more
varied and more essential TO civilized life, and 10
human progress--our mineral and manufacturing |
resources vastour facilities and capacity for
Internal and foreign commerce more extended |
han those Of any other people living under one |
A nj IN n ere nv mn
explored and exhausuess IN its yet hidden wealth |
at our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or must |
De made through our own limits. Europe, Asia,
Africa, and the isles Of the sea, lying all around
ls, look 20 us as 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-
ined 70 triumph overthe barbarism and supersti-
ion of the millions ofthe world. And shall such |
,ct upon the high mission 10 which il is called?
mission 50 full Of hope, though so laden with |
responsibility, which, IL properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger Of peace 20 /
he world, as well as the peaceful afbiter Of its |
iestny. ll1f
The sKSTTrrL will therefore, advocate hold |
md earnea foreign policy such as the condition Of
he country demands; but il viii advocate Il under
he flag ofthe country--nowhere else. It's foreign |
,olicy must be consistent with the spotess honor
md unimpeachable good faith Of the country. To |
70 respectable a home and abroad and TO be great
n the eyes OF the world, II must ask for nothing
,ut what In right, and submit TO nothing that is
wrong. II must be liberal and magnanimous 10
he rights Of others, and firm and immovenble in
insisting on its own, Il must, in fine, be true to
"a own interests, rights, and honorit cannot then
70 false 20 those Of other nations.
Such, then, IL the chart by which we shall be
uided. Independent and free, we shall endeavor
o be honest and truthful. The true friends OF
democratic principles we shall cordially support |
md defend. Its enemies IN the field or in ambush 4
re shall oppose, and on all proper occasions de
iounoe.
TO our fnturc brethren Of the press we extend |
he hand OF friendly greeting. The Sentinel is the
ivsl Of no press or its own psry--tho personal /
.nemy Of none Of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our /
,est wishes FOR is success in the establishment OF
he great principles upon which itcame into power |
ind in its honest labors 70 attain such an end II |
viii hnd The SFSrrNkt rs friend and coadiutor
TKEMs: For the Daily paper, $40 year, IN sd- !
vance. For the Tri-weeklY, IS a year 70 single |
and 70 clubs or persons subscribing Tor
or more copies, NJ the rate Of s3ayear. For the |
Weekly, So year 70 single subscribers, and TO |
clubs for five or more copies