Washington sentinel., 1854-03-30
PROSPECTUS S
.WAsHINGTON SENTINEL"

| j ton, in September d political newspaper, nn
der the name of the WASHINGTON SENT
MEL.
In doing so, it is proper I should make known
the principles II will maintain, and the poiicy II
will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin-
ciples Of the Democratic party of the Unaea 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 ITS
views.
Il viii 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
saniiii.snts which common 10 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 VIII seek TO
be (and il will endeavor TO deserve the ttle) 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-
stitution compact by which, also, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated 10 IT,
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, an 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 Statos-under
the Constitution--and thus by sedulously 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
shall not seek to attain iadrsciy an object through
the exercise of constitutional poacer for the dfreo
attainment of (which il has no delegation Of Pover
| 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. IL will labor TO
inculcate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
| ternal policy that this Government will best
promote the freedom and prosperity of the people
1 of the States by being less ambitious TO exercise
power and more anxious 10 preserve liberty; and
| by leaving To the individual States the manage
| ment of all their domestic eonceras-whie it. con-
tents itself with guarding the coniederacy 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 1t.
! The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy as will suit itself 10 the exigcncies
and correspond with the expanding interests of the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
| cided; but should temper firmness with hberaity
and make its highest ends consist with the srictest
| principles of justice. The real interests of the
| 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 repcl interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt 10 avoid il in the affairs of 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 a
dangerous and unfriendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, if need be, iy
! war.
! Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive ;
but to be properly dttcmsire, il must sometimes be
| Qppart1tA aggresSice. Our administration should
| be vgilant, watchful, and energetic The world
! is full of important movements, commercial and
| political, deeply concerning American trade and
| American power. Ii is time we had an American
| foreign policy. We must have ii. We cannot
1 avoid il if we would. We have larger interests, and
a greater stake in the world and its destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
OF continent, win no nelgnDOrS Dut cOlOny ana
| q 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 lfe and TO
human progress--our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vas-our facilities and capacity for
| internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
| government. a continent TO q great extent, un.
explored and cxhaustless in its yet hidden wealth
Il
through avenues which are at our doors, or mus
be made through own limits. Europe, Asia
Africa, and the isles of the sea. lying all around
US, look 10 US 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 to triumph overthc 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 II IS called !!
A mission so full Of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, if properly directed, must
make our concderacy the harbinger OF peace TO
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter OF its
destiny
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate botd
and earnest Joreign pocy such as the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate II under
the flag fthe country--nowhcre else. Its foreign
nolicy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeachablc good faith of the country. To
be respectable at home and abroad, and to be great
in the eyes of the world, it must ask for nothing
Ebut 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, be true to
lis own interests, rights, and honorit cannot then
! be false 10 those Of other nations.
| Such, then is the chart by which we shall be
| guided. Independent and free, we shall cndeavor
| to be honest and truthful The true friends ol
/ democratic principles we shall cordially support
| and defend. Its enemies IN the field 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 grest principles upon which il came into power;
| and in its honest abors 10 attain such an END u
| will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadJutor.
/ TERMS: For the Daily paper $40 year, IN ad-
vance. For the Tr-weely, 50 year 10 single
subscribers and TO clubs persons subscribing for
. - a.NfG - Gflax E.Nrt th.s