Washington sentinel., 1854-07-21
PROSPECTUS s
.wAsHINGToN SENTINEL

"WAsHINGTON sENTINEL.o4
r PROPOSE to publish in the city of Washing
i ton in September, political newspaper, un-
der the name Of the WASHINGTON SENTl-
MEL
In doing so, i. is proper should make known
the principles it will maintain, and the policy il
will advocate
1t will support cordially and earnestly the prin-
ciples of the Democratic party of tho United States.
II does not propose to be the organ OF any Depart
ment ofthe Government, except in so far as an in
dependent maintenance of the doctrines OF that
party may represent its opinions and express it,
views.
I 1t will not be ambitious to commend tselfto the
people by a blind aattery 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-
lion of all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. 1t will seek to
be and il will eRdeavor TO deserve the title) the
organ of the Democratic party of the United
States.
truth that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratifcationo of the Con-
stitntion compact; by which, also, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated 10 it.
as 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, 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 Statss-under
the Constituiion-and thus by sedulousy guarding
the latter, it will the more eectually strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise Of the powers of the
Federal Government the SENTINEL will take a.
the principles of its action, that Congress shall
ercise no power which has not been delegated by
n tba( ON n fo
depreciation of its language and spirit; and that
shall not seek TO attain indirectly object through
the exercise Of constitutional pocer, for the 1ire
attainment Of which it has no ekgaiion of yoicer.
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. II will labor TO
inculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
ternal policy that this Government will besi
promote the freedom and prosperity of the people
of the States, by being less ambitious 10 exercise
power, and more anxious 10 preserve liberty; and
by leaving 10 the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic e0ncefns--while 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 ii.
The SENTINEL viii 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 6rmness with libcrality
and make its highest ends consist with the strictest
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 resilessness of others, a COM
mon motive to colonial extension has developed
iself.
OIr settled determination 10 repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt US 10 avoid il in the affairs of other
tries, n,,lesS by their foreign or colonial policy
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 infringes upon rights
and places in the pathway OF our commerce
dangerous and unfriendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by rcmonstrance, and, if need be, by
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed be defensive ,
but 10 be property defeasire, il must sometimes be
lrpydrs,tiy aggrssstvs. Our administration should
be vigilant, watchfu and energetic. The world
is full Of important movements, commercial and
political, deeply concerning American trade and
foreign policy. We must have il. We cannot
avoid IL IL we would We have larger interests, and
a greater stake in the world and its destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
Of continent, with no neighbors but colony, and
a worn-out, anarchical despotism. We the
only people whose own land, without colonial de-
tendencies, is washed by the two great oceans Of
the world. Our agricultural productions more
varied and more essential 10 civilized life, and TO
human progress-ouT mineral and manufacturing
4
Internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
government. A confident, to a great extent, un-
explored and exhaustless IN its yet hidden wealth
: al our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or must
be made through our own limits Europe, Asia,
Africa, and the isles OF the sea, lying all around
u.s. 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 10 triumph over the barbarism and superst-
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 II is called ;
A mission 80 full Of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, if properly directed, must
make our con1ederacy the harbinger of peace 20
the world, as well the peaceful arbter of lis
destiny. ru53 rBr 81 aFad @
The SENTINEL. will, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest Joreiga policy, such the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate il under
the flag oithe couniry--nowhere else It's foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimrcachable 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 10 nothing that IL
wrong. II must be liberal aud magnanimous 10
the rights Of others, and firm and immoveable in
insisting on its own. II must, in fine, he true TO
its own interests rights, and honorit cannot then
be false 10 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 cf
democratic principles we shall cordially support
and defend. lis 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--thc personal
enemy OF none ofthc 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 TO attain such an end IL
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
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