Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-05
PROSP ECT u S
4yyAsHsNGTON SENTINEL"


r PROPOSE TO publish in the city of Washing
l ton in Septemher,,a political newspaper. un-
der the name Of the, WASHINGTON SENIl-
MEL
In doing so, il is proper | should make known
the principles il will maintain, and the polcy u
will advocate
It will support cordially and earnestly the prn-
ciples of the Democratic party of Me 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
1t will not be ambitious to commend itselfto the
people by blind fatery of their rulers II 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 to
be (and il will endeavor to deserve the tile) the
organ of the Democratic party of the United
States.
The SENTINEL will maintain, as a fundamental
truth Of that great party, that the States ormed the
Union between them by the ratification OF the Con-
stitution 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 an explicit reservation OF all
others 10 the States, or TO their separate govern
ments The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is, therefore, an usnrpation OF the
reserved authority OF the States by the agent oi
their own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis of the rights of the Staiss--under
the Constitution-and thus by sednlously guarding
the latter il will the more 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 ofits language and spirit; and that II
shall not seek TO attain iadireziy an object through
the exercise of constitutional potoer, for the dire
attainment Of which il has delegat,on Of pofce-.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly granted and all granted powers must be
used for 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
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 10 exercise
power, and more anxious TO preserve liberty; and
by leaving TO the individual States the manage
ment OF all their domestic coReernS-while il con-
tents itself with guarding the confederacy 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 it.
foreign policy win s,fit itself TO the exigences,
and correspond with the expanding interests Of the
country. That policy should be energetic aad de-
cided; but should temper 6rmness with liberality
and make its highest ends consist with the strctest
principles of justice. The real interests of the
country, upon each occs sion demanding attention,
will be lis guide in the course the SENTINEL will
pursue:
The national policy Of the world in this age is
essentially aggressive. In the growing sense or
weakness Of some of the nations Of the Old World
and the ambitious restlrssness Of others, COM
mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
iself
our settled determination TO repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt us avoid il in the affairs Of other coun-
tres RmLSS 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 iniringes upon our rights
and places in the pathway of our commerce a
dangerous and unfriendy rival, such policy mus,
bc resisted by remonstrance, AMI, If need be, iy
war. t.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive
but 10 be properly defenSire, il must sometimes be
appdyentiv aggveSsfre. Our administration should
be vigiant, wsichful, and energetic The world
is full Of import Il movements, commercial md
polite al, deer, concerning American trade aud
American power. IL is time we had an American
u
avoid il II we would. We have larger interests and
a greater stake in the world and It's destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
Of a continent with no neighbors but 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 10 civilized life. and 10
human progress-ouT mineral and manufacturing
resources more vsst-ourfacilities and capacity for
Internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those Of any other people living under one
government. continent 10 a great extent, un-
explored and exhausiless IN It's yet hidden wealth
nj cur feet. European trade seeks the great East
through avenues whirb are at our doors or must
lie made through our own limits. Europe, Asia
Africa and the isles Of the sea, lying all around
us, look TO us the rising power, through the
agency ofwhose example, and ever widening and
extending. though peaceful influences, the bless
ngs of liberty, civilization, and religion, are des-
tined 20 triumph over the barbarism and supersti-
tiou.of the millions OF the world. And shall such
people refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny, and
aci upon the high mission 20 which il is called4
A mission 40 fall OF hope, though laden with
responsibility. winch, Il properly directed, musi
make oar confrdcracy the harbingcr Of peace 20
a. word, as well ~ IN. peaceful arbiter Of its
des..ny.
Tie SESTfSrL will therefore, advocate bold
eRa sarnss Torsigs policy such as the condition OF
the country demands; bat viii advocate IL under
the aag of ths couniry--nowhcre else. Its foreign
IsoiiCy must be consistent with the spctlcss honor
sad uaimpeschahe good tsHh Of the country To
10 respsclalle si hom- and sbroad and 10 be greaI
in tho eyes of the world, q must ask Tor nothing
bta wkai - right. and sahmn 10 nothing that "
wrune. u must he hhcFul aud magnanimous 20
Tie rights ~ oilers, aud hrm end immoSeabe in
insisting On ~ 0wn. Il must, IN fine, be true 10
ns cwn iniere.ts rights. and hoHor--It cannot then
~ false ~ tho-- ~ cther nsiioa-.
Sarh, thsn. s the char w which we sha be-
ruidsd lndrpendeHi and free, we shall erdcavor
ts 10 honesi ani truthful. The true friends OF
Asuocraiir pfiacipirs We shall cordially suppor
snA aesenA lis vrsmies N the 6rld or ambush
ws shsl cpvo~e and On al proper occasions de-
aounce
To our hHurs hrefhren u the press we extend
10 kand ~ lficnslly greeting. The Sentinel - the
nxsi of ~ prr.s ~ ~ own cany-the personal /
sncmy ~ aoac ~ tho ether.
Ths prrseat neuocralie Administration hiss our
h.sf ut-h~. lor as success IN the establishment OF
tks greet princ lpie. agoa vhich acame into power,
snA n ~ heaeNi lsi,urs ~ sttain such an end u
wil eaa ths sssrssL as friend and cosdJutor
Tmws Forths Day paper, so year. IN sa-