Washington sentinel., 1854-03-28
PROSP ECTU S
.wAsHINGToN SENTINEL.


i ton, in September, political newspaper, un
der the name of the WASHINGTON SENTI
MEL.
In doing so, il is proper should make known
the principles it will maintain, and the policy It
will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin-
ciples of the Democratic party of tie United States
il does not propose TO be the organ of any Depart
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 It's
views
It will not be ambitious to commend itself to the
people by blind fatfery 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-
tion of all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come II will seek to
be (and it will endeavor TO deserve the ttle) the
organ Of the Democratic party OF the United
States.
The SENTINEL will maintain, as fundamental
truth that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification of the Con-
stfution as a compact; by which, also they created
the Federal Government, and delegated 10 it.
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in il, with explicit reservation of all
others to the States, TO their separate govern
ments. The exercise Of any powers beyond these
thus delegated is therefore, an usurpatlon OF the
reserved authority of the States by the agent OF
their own creation. f4 t.H fl
I The SENTINEL. will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis of the rights of the Statss--under
the Constitution-and thus by sedulonsly guarding
the latter, il will the efectually 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 ex-
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
slall IN nl,l brn Un
the exercise of constitutional po,cer, for the direct
attainment Of which il has no dekgation Of poicer.
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 to
nculcate 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 polio,
of the country 10 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 as will suit itself to the exigencics
and correspond withthe expanding interests of til,
country. That policy should be energetic and de
cided; but should temper frmness with liberalty
and make its highest ends consist with the stricto>
principles of, justice. The real interests of th.
country, upon each occasion demanding attention
will be its guide in the course the SENTINEL vii
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
| iself.
Our settled determination to repel interference
| from abroad with domestic concerns, will
prompt MS to avoid ii hpthe affairs of other coun
tries, unless by their foreign or colonial policy oul
peace should be threatened our security endan
gered, or 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 unfrcndly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, if need be, by
war
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive !;
but TO be properly defensire, must sometimes be
apparently aggressive. Our administration should
be vigilant, watchfu 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 it 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 continent, with no neighbors but colony and
a worn out, anarchical dcspotsm. 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 progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vastour facilities and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
government. A continent, to a great extent, un-
explored and exhaustless in its yet hidden wealth
is 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 arounc
us, look to us as the rising power, through the
agency of whose example, and ever widening ant
extending, though peaceful influences, the bless
ings of liberty, civilization, and religion, are des
tined to triumph over the barbarism and superst.
ton 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 harbinger of peace 10
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter OF us
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy such as the condition OF
the country demands but il will advocate il under
the flag ofthe country--nowhcrc else. lis foreign
policy must be consistent with the spoess honor
and nnimpeachable good faith Of the country. To
be respectable at home and abroad, and 10 be great
in the ewes Of the world il must ask for nothing
but what is right and submit to nothing that is
wrong II must be liberal and magnanimous TO
the rights Of others, and firm and immoveable in
insisting on its own. II must, in fine, he true to
IFS own interests, rights and honor-it cannot then
be false to those of other nations
Snch then, is the chart by which we shall be
guided Independent and free, we shall endeavor
to be honest and truthful The true friends OF
democratic principles we shall cordially support
and defend. Its enemies in the field or insambush
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 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 labors to attain such an end II
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
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