Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-10
'PROSPEC TUS
awAsHINGToN SENTINEL

y q . ..r . H Z
.ar "WASHINGTON SENTINEL
r PROPOSE TO publish in the city of Washing
i ton, in September, political newspaper nn-
der the name of the WARRINGTON SENTI-
MEL. tl
In doing so, il is proper should make known
the principles il viii maintain, and the policy II
will advocate. 1iEsi! nv " H
Il will support cordially and earnestly the prin-
ciples of the Democratic pTyty of the 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. a.sfF ~ @ ,taa }A.st glI*,s..r
Il will not be ambitious to commend itseftothe
people by a blind fattery of their rulers. II will
seek public support by the bold avowal of the
sentiments which are common 10 the genuine
Democracy of the Union and by the condemns
ton Of all such as may coafict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. Il will seek TO
be (and will endsavor TO deserve the title) 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.
stituton as a compact; by which, also they created
the Federal Government, and delegated 10 il,
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 States--under
the Constitution-and thus by sedulously 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 a.
he principles of its action that Congress shall
rxxyhic has moi haan ted by
the Constitution, according to strict and fair in
terpretation of its language and spirit and that il
shall not seek TO attain indirecy object through
the exercise of Constitutional posoer, for the direa
attainment Of which il has no obligation Of poacsr.
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. Il will labor TO
inculcate this cardinal doctrine OF Democratic In
ternal policy that this Government will besr
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 oonoerns-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 IL.
The SENTINEL. will advocate such progressive
foreign policy will suit itself TO the exigences.
and CORE spond with the expanding interests of the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cided; but should temper firmness with liberality
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 the Old World,
and the ambitious restlrssness OF others, COM
mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
iself
Our settled determination 10 repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt 10 avoid il in the afarsof 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
dangerous and unfrendly 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 defenSiUe. Il must sometimes be
apparently aggressiue. Our administration should
be vigiant waichful, and energetic. The world
political, deeply concerning American trade and
American power. Il is time we had an American
foreign policy. We must have Il. We cannon
avoid il il 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
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 10
human progress--our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-our facilities and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
thar those Of any other people living under one
government. A contoent 10 great extent, un-
explored and exhaustless IN its yet hidden wealth
8 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 all around
u.s. look 10 us as the rising power, through the
agency Of whose example, and ever widening and
extending, though pesceful influences, the bless
lngsof liberty, civilization, and religion, are des
tined to triumph over the barbarsm 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
mission so full Of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, IL properly directed, must
the world, rs well as the peaceful arbiter Of IFS
destiny.
The SENTINEL will therefore, advocate a bold
and earnest foreign policy such as the condition OF
the country demands; but will advocate il under
the flag ofthe country-nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotess honor
and unimpeachabe good faith Of the country. To
be respectable a, 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 is
wrong. Il must be liberal and magnanmous TO
the rights Of others, and firm and immoveable in
insisting on its own. Il must. in 6ne be true TO
its own interests, rights and honor-t 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 OF
principles we shall cordially support
and defend. It's 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 pariy-the 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 il came into power
and in its honest labors 10 attain such an end il
will find the SKsrISEL its friend and coadjuior.