Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-27
PROSPECTUS S
WASHINGTON sENTTNEL.v

w ASAs SEN
II PROPOSE to publish in the city of Washing
4 II ton, in September, political newspaper, un
Ter the name Of the WASHINGTON SENTI
MEL.
In doing so, it is proper should make known
he principles il will maintain, and the policy il
will advocate.
It will support cordially and earnestly the prin-
ples of the Democratic party Of the United States
Il does not propose to be the organ Of any Depart
inent ofthe Government, except in 80 far as in
dependent maintenance Of the doctrines Of thai
party may represent its opinions and express its
views.
II will not be ambitious to commend itsefto the
'eople by blind fatiery Of their rulers. II will
eek public support by the bold avowa Of the
entiments which are common 10 the genuine
democracy Of the Union, and by the conde
ion of all such as may conflict with them, from
e (and il will endeavor 10 deserve the tfis) the
,rgan Of the Democratic party Of the United
States. ~ Y,
The SENTINEL will maintain, as fundamental
ruth Of that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification of the Con-
'titution as compact; by which, also. they created
he Federal Government and delegated TO il,
rs their common agent, the powers expressly
peci6ed in it, with an explicit reservation Of all
ihers TO the States, or TO their separate govern
nents. The exercise of any powers beyond these
hus delegated, is, therefore, an usurpation of the
heir own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
lpon the basis Of the rights Of the States--under
he Constitution-and thus by sedulousy guarding
he latter, it will the more efectually strengthen
md perpetuate the former.
With regard TO the exercise of the powers Of the
federal Government, the SENTINEL. will take as
he principles of its action that Congress shall ex-
-rcise no power which has not been delegated by
he Constitution, according to strict and fair in
expectation of its language and spirit and that il
hall not seek TO attain indirscly object through
he exercise of constitutional pocer for the direct
attainment Of which il has no delegation of poper.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
dearly 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
,olicy Of the Democratic party. II will labor to
nculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
ernal policy that this Government will bes,
promote the freedom and prosperity of the people
VI the States, by being less ambitious to exercise
,ower, and more anxious to preserve liberty; and
ny leaving to the individual States the manage
nent of all their domestic coneerns-while il con-
ents itself with guarding the confederacy from
-xternal violence, and directing the foreign policy
If 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
'oreign policy will suit itself TO the exigencies
ind correspond with the expanding interests of the
'ountry. That policy should be energetic and de-
,.ided; but should temper frmness with liberality
md make its highest ends consist with the strctest
principles of justice. The real interests of the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention,
viii be its guide in the course the SENTINEL will
pursue.
The national policy of the world in this age /.
llxf
weakness of some Of the nations of the Old World
mon motIyo " V~'~..---'-----s~~- ,f others n com
iself
Our settled determination TO repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt us TO avoid il in the affairs of other coun-
ries, 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
" colonial policy which infringes upon our rights
md places in the pathway of our commerce
dangerous and unfriendly rival, such policy must
Ne resisted by remonstrance, ami, if need be, ly
war;
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive
but 10 be properiy defsItsive il must sometimes be
1pparently nggressipe. 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 Ii is time we bad an American
foreign policy. We must have il. We cannot
avoid il II 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 ueighbors 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 TO
human progress-our mineral and msnufactunng
re sources more vast-ourfacities 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 exhaustIess IN its yet hidden wealth
3 al our feet. European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are at our doors, or musi
be made through own limits. Europe, Asia,
Africa and the isles Of the sea, lying all around
us look 10 us as 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, are des-
tined 10 triumph over the barbarism and supersti-
ton Of the millions Of the world. And shall such
a people refuse to lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission TO which II is called!
A mission so full of hope, though so laden with
responsibility which, IL properly directed, must
make our confederscy the harbiRger Of peace TO
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter Of its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate bold
and ear,et foreign policy such the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate il under
the dag ofthe country-nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless 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 TO nothing that IL
wrong. II must be liberal and magnanimous TO
the rights of others, and firm and imnIoveable in
insisting on its own. IL must, in fine, be true TO
its own interests, rights and honor--ii 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
10 be honest and truthful The true friends OF
democratic principles we 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-the 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 itcame into power
and in its honest labors TO attain such an end il
a.. -l.l-. g.. ..Lf q. H.