Washington sentinel., 1854-03-31
PRO.SPEC TU s
.wAsHINGToN sENrINEL.o

"WASHiNGTON SENTINEL"
.T PROPOSE 10 publish in the city of Washing
III ton, in September, political newspaper, gn
der the name of the WASHlNGIoN SEMI
MEL.
In doing so, il is proper | should make known
the principles il viii maintain, and the policy II
will advocate.
~ II will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciplcs ofthe Democratic party Of the United States
il does not propose 10 be the organ oi any Depart
ment of the Government, except IN so far as an m
dependent maintenance of the doctrines OF that
party may represent its opinions and express IT'S
views.
II will not be ambitious TO commend itself 10 the
people by blind fattery of their rulers. II will
seek public support by-the bold avowal OF the
sentiments which are common TO the genuine
Democracy Of the Union, and by the condemna-
lion of all such as may conflict with them from
be (and it viii endeavor 10 deserve the ,ile) the
organ Of the Democratic party OF the United
States.
The SENTINEL viii 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 TO u,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in it, with an explicit reservation OF all
others 10 the States, TO their separate govern
ments. The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is, therefore, an usirpaon 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-nnder
the Cons,itution-and thus by sedulously guarding
the latter, il will the more efcctually strengthen
and pcrpetuate the former.
With regard TO the exercise of the powers OF the
Federal Government, the SENTINEL VIII 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 i
shall seek TO attain idirectiy object through
the exercise of constitutional po7oer, for the diirct
attainment of which it has no deegat Of pozrcr
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 oil 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 best
promote the freedom and prosperity of the people
Of the States by being less ambitious 10 exercise
power, and more anxious 10 preserve liberty; and
by leaving to the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic coRcejUs--whie II con-
tents itself with guarding the confedcracy 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,
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy as will suit itself 10 the exigences
and correspond with the expanding interests OF the
country: That policy should be energetic and de-
cdcd but should temper firmncss with liberality
and make its highest ends consist with the strctes
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 oi
weakness of some of the nations of the Old World
and the ambitious rcstlessness of Others COM
mon motive 10 colonial extension has developed
iself
Our settled determination to repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt us 10 avoid IL in the affairs Of other coun-
tries, unss by their foreign colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, security endan-
gered or our interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests of other nations prompt foreign
or colonial policy which infrn9es upon our rights.
aud places in the pathway of our commerce
dangerous and unriendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and if need be, hy
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive;
but to be property dcfeRsire, il must sometimes be
apparently aggressire. Our administration should
be vigant, 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 cannot
avoid ii il we would. We have largerinterests, and
a 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
a worn-out, anarchcal 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 arc more
varied and more essential TO civilized life and TO
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources vast-our facilities 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, I'M
explored and exhaustcss in its yet hidden wealth
is al our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which arc at our doors or must
be made through our own limits. Europe, Asia,
Africa, and the isles of the sea. lying all around
us, look to 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 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 TO which 1t is calledt
A mission so full OF hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, if properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger of peace TO
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter of It's
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy, such as the condition o
the country demands; but il will advocate IL under
the flag The country---nowherc else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unmpeachable 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 is
wrong II must be liberal and magnanimons 10
the rights OF others, and firm and mmoveable in
insisting on its own. il must, in fine, be true TO
its own interests, rights and honor--t 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 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-
nouncc
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 success in the establishment oil
the great principles upon which itcame INTO power;
and in its honest labors 10 attain such an end II
will find the SENTINEL its friend and cosdjutor
TERMS: For the Doilypaper, SO year, in adj