Washington sentinel., 1854-05-30
PROSPECTUS S
.WAsHINGToN SENTINEL

MEL.
In doing so, it is proper ! should make known
the principles il will maintain, and the policy
will advocate.
1t will support cordially and earnestly the prin
cpes of the Democratic party Of the United States.
does not propose 10 be the organ of any Depart
ment OF the Government, excepiln so far in
dependent maintenance of the doctrines of thai
party may represent It's opinions and express III
views.
II will not be ambitious to commend itselfto the
people by blind fattery of their rulers. II will
seek public support by the bold avowa Of the
-i,Iiments which are common TO the genuine
Democracy of the Union, and by the condemna-
lion OF all such may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II will seek to
be (and il will endeavor TO deserve the ttle) the
organ of the Democratic party OF the United
States.
The SrNTINEL will maintain as fundamental
truth oaat 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 explicit reservation of all
others to the States, or TO their separate govern
ments. The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, Isl 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-undei
the Consttution-andt thus by sedulously guarding
the latter il will the more efiectualy 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
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 seek to attain indirectly objectthrough
the exercise of constitutional poaer for the direc
attainment of which il has no delegation Of poaDer.
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
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 to exercise
power, and more anxious TO preserve liberty; and
by leaving to the individual States the manage
rnent OF all their domestic concerns--whe 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 it,
The SENTINEL will advocate such 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 hrnsness with liberaiity
and make its 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
wearress of some of the nations of the Old World.
and ne ambitious restessness of others, COM
mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
isef
Our settled determination to repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt US 10 avoid il in the affairs of osher coun
tries u,seSs by their foreign or colonial policy our
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 infrnges upon our rights
and places in the pathway of our commerce
dangerous and unfriendly 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 detenSipe, il must sometimes be
appayeutly aggrcssiue 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 canno,
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 a continent, with no neighbors but colony, and
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 more
varied and more essential to civilized life. and TO
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-our facilities and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
government. A continent, 10 great extent, un-
explored and exhaustess in its yet hidden wealth
is at 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
look TO 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, des
tined TO triumph over the barbarism and supersti-
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 it is called I?
A mssicl so full of hope, though so laden with
espoasiclity, 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 viii, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy such the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate il under
the flag ofthe country--nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeachabe good faith of the country. To
be respectable al home and abroad, and TO be great
in the eyes Of the world, il must ask for nothing
but what is right, and submit TO nothing that IL
wrong. II must be liberal and magnanmous TO
the rights of others, and firm and mmoveable in
insisting on its own Ii must, in fine, be true TO
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
to be honest and truthful. The true friends oil
democratic principles shall cordially support
and defend Its 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 of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
best wishes for its in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which itcame into power;
and in its honest labors to attain such an end il
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
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