Washington sentinel., 1855-03-15
PROSP E CTU S
OF THE
s.yy ASHINGTON SENTINEL

| II PROPOSE 10 publish in the city of Washing
! u ton in September, a. political newspaper un
der the name Of the WASHINGTON SENTI
MEL.
| In doing so, it is proper I should make known
| the principles il win maintain, and the policy il
| will advocate.
II will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciples of the Democratic party Of the United States
il does not propose TO be the organ of any Depart
ment the Government, except in so far as an In
| dependent maintenance of the doctrines of that
party may represent It's opinions and express its
| views
| II will not be ambitious to commend itselfto the
people by blind 6attery of their rulers. Il 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-
| tion Of all such as may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may come. II will seek to
be (and 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 az q compact by which, also, they created
| ~ 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, usurpation 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 sedulousfy guarding
the latter, it will the more efectually strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard to the exercise of the powers of the
Fec sral Government the SENTINEL will take as
the rincpes of its action that Congress shall ex-
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the c, institution according to strict and fair in
terpre, tion of its language and spirit; and that i
.holl Ct hrngY oh
the Use of constitutional poa0er, for the direct
attanme of which il has no dskgGtion Of potcer.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for no ,urpose, except such as is clearly IN
tended by III Constitution.
In respect TO the internal administration of the
Government, The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy Of the L mocratic party. II will labor TO
incucate this ca dnal doctrine OF Democratic In
ternal polcy:-l at this Government will best
promote the freed IN 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 concerns-while II 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 to 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 We course the SENTINEL wal
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 tc repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt us TO 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 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 unfriendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, If need be, NY
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive
but to be properly defeasfve, il must sometimes be
appaysnflv aggressive. Our administration should
be vigiant, waichful 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 IT, We cannot
avoid il II we would We have larger interests, and
a greater stake in the world and its destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
of continent with no ncighbors but a colony and
. worn-out, anarchcal despotism We are the
olpy 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 progress-our mineral and manufacturlng
resources 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 a great extent, un.
explored and exhaustless IN its yet hidden wealth
/. at our feet European trade seeks the great Eas,
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
inrs of liberty civilization, and religion, are des-
tined TO triumph over the barbsrism and supersti-
ton OF the millions Of the world. And shall such
a people refuse 10 lay hold upon their destiny and
act upon the high mission TO which II Is canedf
| A mission so full Of hope, though so lAdsn with
responsibility, which, u properly directed, mus'
make our confederscy the harbingcr OF peace 10
the world, ss well the peaceful arbitcr OF ts
destiny.
The SxvTrvKL will, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest foreign policy, such as the condition OF
tn. country demands; bnt Il c'ill advocate under
| the flag ofthe couniry--nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotess honor
| and unimpeschable 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 magnanmous TO
| the rights Of others, and firm and immoveable in
| insisting on its own. II must, in fine, be true TO
lis 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. Its enemies IN the field or in ambush
we shall oppose, and on all proper occasions des
nounce.
| 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--the personal
| enemy of none of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
test wishes for its success in the establishment OF
the great principles upon which il came into power
/ and in its honest labors to attain such an end u
| will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadJutor.
TERMS: For the Daily paper, $40 year. IN ad-
vance. For the Tri-weekly, $5 year to single
1 rl,ks s,uea nh