Washington sentinel., 1855-02-16
PROSPECTUS
.WAsHINGTON SENTINEL"

i ton, in September, political newspaper, un
der the name OF the WASHINGTON SENT
MEL.
In doing so, il is proper should make known
the principles il will maintain, and the policy II
| will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciples Of the Democratic party of tho United Sfasc'
il does not propose TO be the organ OF any Depart
ment of the Government, except IN SO Tar as an IN
dependent maintenance of the doctrines OF that
party may represent its opinions and express It's
views. tt
II will not be ambitious&o commend itself TO 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-
ton Of all such as may conflict with them from
whatever quarter they may come II will seek TO
be (and it will endeavor 10 deserve the tite) the
organ of the Democratic party of the United
States.
The SENTINEL will maintain, as Fundamental
truth that great party, that the States formed the
sttution as compact by which, also, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated to 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 usurpaton 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 efectualy strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard TO the exercise of the powers ofthe
Federal Government, the SENTINEL will take as
the principles of its action, that Congress shall ex-
ercse no power which has not been delegated by
the Constitution, according TO strict and fair in
terpretation of its language and spirit; and that II
shall not seek 10 attain indirectly objecthrough
the exercise Of constitutional poscsr, for the direct
attainment of which il has no delegation 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 ih
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
terna policy:--that this Government will best
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 ooncsrns-while II 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 il.
The SENTINEL will advocate such a progressive
foreign policy will suit itself TO the exigencies
and correspond with the expanding interests OF the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cded; but should temper frmness with iiberaity
and make its highest ends consist with the sretest
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 of the Old World,
and the ambitious restlessness of others, com
mon motive 10 colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, vii
prompt us 10 avoid il in the affairs OF other coun
tries unless by their foreign or colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, our security endan
gered, or 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 remonstrancc, and, II need be, by
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive; ;
but 10 be properly defenSipc, must sometimes be
appayently aggressiUe. Our administration should
be vigilant, watchful, and energetic. The world
Is full of important movements, commercial and
polilb,al, deeply concerning American trade and
American power II is time we had an American
foreign policy. We must have II. We cannot
avoid il il we would We have larger interests, and
greater stake in the world and It's destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
Of continent, with no neighbors but colony, and
o worn-out, anarchical despotism. We are the
olny 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 me- ana 70
human progress--our mineral and manufacturing
resources more yastour facilities and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those Of any other people living under one
government. continent, TO a great extent, I'M
explored and exhaustless IN its yet hidden wealth
is al our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are 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 10 us as the rising power, through the
agency OF whose example, and ever widening and
extending, though peaceful influences, the bnss
ipgs of liberty civilization, and religion, are des-
tined 10 triumph over the barbarism and superstl-
ton Of the millions of the world. And shall such
people refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny, and
act upon the high mission TO which II Is calledt
A mission so full of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, il properly directed, must
make our confcderacy the harbinger Of peace 10
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter OF IFS
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate a bold
and earuss foreign policy, such as the condition OF
the country demands; but IL will advocate under
the flag ofthe country--nowhere else. Its foreign
polcy must be consistent with the spotess honor
and unimpeachable good faith Of the country To
be respectable at home and abroad, and 10 be great
in the eyes Of the world, il must ask for nothing
but what is right and submit 10 nothing that is
wrong Ii must be liberal and magnanimous 10
the rights of others, and firm and Immoveable in
insisting on its own. II must, in fine, be true 10
its own interests rights, and honor-it 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. 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
tho 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
hest wishes for its success in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which i tcame into power;
and in its honest labors 10 attain such an end u
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
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vance. For the Tri-weekly, 50 year TO single