Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-24
PROSPECTUS
.wAsHINt;T r. NJ sE,

eWAsHINGTON sENTINEL.o
PROPOSE TO publish in the city OF Washing
der the name Of the WASHINGTON SENTl
MEL.
In doing 40, il is proper | should make known
the principles il will maintain, and the policy il
will advocate.
Il will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciples OF the Democratic party Of the United States
II does not propose 10 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.
II will not be-ambtous 10 commend itsefto 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 oil such rs may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II will seek TO
be (and il will endeavor to deserve the tle) the
organ Of the Democratic party Of the United
States.
The SENTINEL will maintain, as Fundamental
Of that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification Of the Con-
stituton as compact; by which, Also they created
the Federal Government, and delegated TO il,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in It, with explicit reservation OF oil
others TO the States or to their separate govern
ments. The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, Isl therefore, usurpafion 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--undsr
the Consttution-and thus by sedulously guarding
the latter, it will the more 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 il
shall not seek TO attain indirectly objectthrough
the exercise Of Constitutional potcey for the direct
attainment Of which i has no delegation Of po,cer.
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 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. 1t will labor TO
inculcate this cardinal doctrine Of Democratic in
ternal pocy:-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 concsrns--whie it con-
tents itself with guarding the confederacy from
external violence, and directing the foreign policy
of 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
foreign policy will suit itself the exigencies
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 strietesi
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 restcssness of others, com
mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt US TO avoid it in the affairs Of other coun
tries, mnlcss 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 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, by
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive !;
put 10 be property dyensire, must sometimes be-
apparently aggressive. 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 had an American
foreign policy. We must have ii. We canno,
avoid il if 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 continent, with no neighbors but colony, and
aworn-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 life and 10
human progrcss-our mineral and manufacturing
resources vast-our facilities and capacitv for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those OF any other people living under one
government. continent 10 great extent nm
explored and exhaustless In its yet hidden wealth
at our feet. European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which 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 us the rising power, through the
agency OF whose example, and ever widening and
extending, though peaceful influences, the bless
ngs Of liberty civilization, and religion, are des
tined TO triumph over the barbarism ami superst-
ton of the millions of the world And sail such
people refuse TO lay hold upon their desrny. and
act upon the high mission TO which II is oalled7
A mission so full Of hope, though SO laden with
make our confcderacy the harbinger Of peace /.
the world, as well as the peaceful nrbier Of its
destiny.
The SENTINEL will, therefore, advocate a Sola
and earnest foreign policy, such the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate il under
the flag ofthe country--nowheye else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotIess 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 "a
wrong. II must be liberal and magnanimous 10
The rights Of others, and firm and immoveable in
insisting on It's own. II must in fine, be true TO
is own interests, rights, and honor-it cannot then
De false 10 those of other nations.
Such, then, is the chart by which we shall he
GUIDED Independent and free, we shall epdenynr
Q be honest and truthful. The true friends q,
democratic principles we shall cordially support
md defend. Its enemies in the field or n'ambusb
We shall oppose, and on all proper occasions de,
,ounce.
To our future brethren Of the press we extend
ne hand OF friendly greeting The Sentinel il The
wal OF no press OF its own party-ihc personal
Enemy OF none Of the other
tn r,-.sr' Democratic Administration has orr
- wsaes LOT IT'S success in the establishment or
ne gres. principles upon which il came into nower
, q, "A -. sw.s 1bors 10 attain such an end i
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