Washington sentinel., 1855-02-08
PROSP ECT u IS
OF THE
WASHINGTON SENTINEL"

il ton, in September, n political newspaper, un
der the name Of the WASHINGTON SENT
MEL.
| In doing 30, il is proper ! should make known
the principles it win maintain, and the policy il
will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin
cpes Of the Democratic party Of the Unttsd States
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 its
views.
Il will mot be ambitious to commend itselfto the
people by blind AAttery Of their rulers Il 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-
whatever quarter they may come. II will seek to
be (and il will endeavor to deserve the title) the
organ Of the Democratic party of the United
States.
The SxNrmxL will maintain, as Fundamental
truth of that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification Of the Con-
stitution 40 compact; by which, also, they created
the Federal Government and delegated to il,
~ their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in it, with an explicit reservation OF all
others to the States, 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 win uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis Of the rights of the States-under
the Consttution--and thus by sedulously guarding
the latter, it will the more efectualy 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 ofts language and spirit; and that II
shall not seek TO attain snd'rsnty an obJectthrongh
the exercise Of constitutional posDsr, for the dire
attainment Of which it has no dslsgGtiom Of poscer
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly granted, and all granted powers must be
used for no purpose, except such as 10 clearly I'M
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
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 TO exercise
power, and more anxious TO preserve liberty; and
by leaving TO the individual States the manage
ment of al their domestie esncsrns-while il 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
and correspond with the expanding interests of the
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cided; but should temper frmness with hberality
and make its highest ends consist with the stretesi
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
weakncsSo Of some of the nations of the Old World,
and the ambitious restlessness of others, a com
mon motive to colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, viii
prompt us to avoid il in the affairs C other coun
tries unless by their foreign or colonial pohcy 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
dangerous and unfrcndly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrancc, and, If need he, by
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive I;
but to be properly dsfens,ps, il must sometimes be
apparently aSgressire. Our administration should
be vigilsnt, watchfu, and energetic. The world
is full OF important movements, commercial and
politif al deeply concerning American trade and
American power. II is time we had an American
foreign policy. We must have II. We cannon
avoid IL III we WOul0 w nave heSfsStSi esss
greater stake in the world and its destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
of continen nj with no neighbors but colony, and
. worn-ou,, anarchical despotism. We are the
olny people whose own land, without colonial de-
tendencies, 10 washed by the two great oceans of
the world Our agricultural productions are more
varied and more essential TO civilized HE, ana 70
human progress--our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vas-our facilities and capacity Tor
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those of any other people living under one
government. A continent, to q great sxIent un.
IL al our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are nj our doors, or must
be made through our own limits. Europe, Asio,
Africa and the isles OF the sea, lying all around
u.s. look 10 us AZ the rising power through the
agency OF whose example, and ever widening and
extending, though peaceful influences, the bless
ings Of liberty, civilization, and religions are des-
tined To triumph over the barbsrism and superstl-
ton OF the millions Of the world. And shall such
a people refuse to lay hold upon their destiny, ana
act upon the high mission 10 which - csled
mission 10 full Of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, II properly directed, must
make our confederscy the hsrbinger OF peace 10
the world, ~ well 40 the peaceful arbitsr OF ne
destiny.
The SENTINEL win, therefore, advocate bold
and earrea forngn policy, such as the condition OF
the country demands but u will advocate y unoer
policy must be consistent with the spotsess honor
ana nnimpeachabe good faith of the country 10
be respectable n home and abroad and to be great
in the eyes Of the world, II must ask for nothing
but what is right, and submit 10 nothing that Is
wrong. Il must be liberal and magnanimous 10
| the right. OF others, and firm and lmmoveable IN
| insisting on its own. II must, in fine, be true 70
ts own interests rights, and honorit cannot then
| he false 10 those of other nations.
Such, then, is the chart by which we shall De
guided. Independent and free, we shall ehdeavoI
10 he 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 oe'
4 nounce.
To our future brethren Of the press we extend
The hand OF friendly greeting The Sentinel 10 the
rival Of no press OF its own psrty--tho persona
enemy Of none Of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has oul
Test wishes for its success in the establishment o
The rrea, principles upon which itcsmc into power
| and in its honest labors TO attain such an emo y
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadJutor.
TERMS: For the Daily paper, $40 year, IN ad
| vsocs For The Tri-weeklv, IS year TO single