Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-03
PROSPECTUS
aYAsHINGToN SENTINEL

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-
ciples the Democratic party Of tie Uaited States.
it does not propose TO be the organ OF anyDepart-
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
Itowill not be ambitious to commend itselfto the
people by blind fattery Of their rulers. 1t will
seek public support by the bold avowal of the
sentiments which 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 10
be (and il will endeavor 10 deserve the utle) 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-
stilution as compact; by which, also, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated TO it.,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in it, 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 Consttuton--and thus by sedulously guarding
the latter, it will the more efectualiy strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard 10 the exercise of the powers Of the
Federal Government the SENTINEL will take
the principles of its action, that Congress shall eS
ercse no power which has not been delegated by
the Constitution according to strict and fair in
depreciation of lis language and spirit; and that il
shall not seek 10 attain indirectly object through
y r. -.
attainment of which il has no allegation Of poVsr
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly granted, and all granted powers must be
used for no purpose, except such as rs 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 to the individual States the manage
ment Of all their domestic coReefas--While il con-
tents itself with guarding the coHfederacy 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 ii.
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy as will suit itself 10 the exigencies
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 lis highest ends consist with the strctest
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,
nd the ambitions raStl1sSneSs of others n com.
mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
iself
Our settled determination TO repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns will
prompt 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 infringes upon our rights
and places in the pathway of our commerce a
dangerous and unfriendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, II need be, by
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed be defensive /;
but TO be properly dt6nSire, il must sometimes be
apparsntiv aggressive. Our administration should
be vigilnnt, waichfui, and energetic. The world
is full of important movements, commercial and
poltiLal, deeply concerning American trade and
American power. II is time we had an American
foreign policy. We must have II. We cannot
greater stake IN the world and its destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
of continent, with no neighbors but a colony and
a worn-out, anarchical despotism. We are the
only people whose own land, without colonial de-
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 proyress-ouT mineral and manufacturing
resources mere vasI-our rfachtes and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those Of any other people living under one
government A continent, TO great extent, un-
explored and exhaustess IN its yet hidden wealth
$ al our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are al our doors, or mus
be made through our own limits. Europe, Asia
Africa and the isles Of the sea, lying ali around
us look 10 us as tue 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-
lined 10 triumph over the barbarism and supcrsti-
ton 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 II is called
| A mission so full Of hope, though laden with
responsibility, which, If properly directed, must
| make our confederacy the harbinger OF peace to
the weird, es vell as the peaceful afbitef Of lis
| destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy, such as the condition OF
the country demands; but will advocate IL under
policy must be consistent with the spotess 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, il must ask for nothing
but what is right, and submit 10 nothing that is
wrong. Ii must be liberal and magnanmous u
the rights of others, and firm and mmoveable in
| insisting on its own II must, in fine, be true 10
its own interests, rights, and honor-it 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
! to be honest aud truthful. The true friends o
democratic principles shall cordially support
| and defend Its enemies IN the field or in ambush
we shall oppose, and on all proper occasions de
/ nouuce.
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 persona
| enemy Of none of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has on
best wishes for its in the establishment o
the great principles upon which il came into power
and in its honest labors to attain such an end
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadJuior.
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