Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-09
PROSP EC T u S
.wasHINCToN SENTINEL

n PROPOSE TO publish in the city Of Washing
l ton in September, political newspaper, nn-
der the name of the WASHINGTON SENfl-
MEL.
In doing so, 1t is proper / should make known
the principles il will maintain, and the pohcy y
will advocate.
Il will support cordially and earnestly the prin
cipes of the Democratic party Of ne U,,ttea 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.
Il will not be ambitious 10 commend itseltto The
people by blind aattery 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 condemna-
lion of all such may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II Will seek 10
be land il will endeavor 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-
stitution as compact; by which, also they created
the Federal Government, and delegated 10 H.
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in it, with 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, usurpatlon OF the
reserved authority of the States by the agent ~
their own creation.
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Dnon
upon the basis of the rights OF the Staies--nnder
the Constitution--and thus by sednlously guarding
the latter, it will the efectualiy strengthen
and perpetuate the former
With regard to the exercise of the powers Of the
Fec eral Government, the SENTINEL will take a
the rincpes Of its action that Congress shall ex-
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the C, Institution, according TO a strict and fair in
terpre, 1ion of its language and SPIRIT and that II
shall nc seek to attain indirectly object through
the exel Use of constitutional pocer for the direct
attanne I of which il has no detegntaon OF pohoer.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for purpose, except such az is clearly IN
tended by tn Constitution. !,
In respect 10 the internal administrator OF the
Government, the SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party. II will labor 10
nculcate 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 TO exercise
power, and more ahxious 10 preserve liberty and
by leaving TO the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic ooncernS-whlle II CON
tents itself with guarding the confederacy from
external violence and directing the foreign policy
of the country 10 the promotion oi 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 TO the exigences,
and correspond with the expanding interests OF the
country That policy should be energetic and de-
cided; but should temper frmness with liberality,
and make its highest ends consist with the strctest
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 restessness OF others, a com
mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination tc repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt us TO avoid it in the affairs OF other coun
tries unless by their foreign or colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, our security endan
gered or our interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests of other nations prompt a foreign
or colonial policy which infrnges upon our rights.
and places in the pathway of our commerce
dangerous and unfricndy rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, If need be, by
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive,
but TO be property defe'istUe, It must sometimes be
appareRtly aggressive. Our administration should
be vglant, 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
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, anarchical despotsm. 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 iie and ta
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vastour facilities and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those Of any other people living under one
government continent, to great extent, un-
explored and exhaustless IN lis yet hidden wealth
is al our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are al 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 superstl-
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 il is called? !?
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 arblter OF IT'S
destiny
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy such the condition Of
the country demands; but il will advocate IT under
the flag 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 10 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
its own interests rights, and bonorit 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 endeavor
to 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
the hand of friendly greeting. The Sentinel Is the
rival of no press OF it's own party-thc 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 itcame into power;
and in its honest abors TO attain such an end II
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadJutor.
ATER YEARS, py the Author OF +" the