Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-28
PROSPECTUS u s
.w wAsHrNGToN SENTINEL -

sW ASHINGTON SENTINEL
II PROPOSE 10 publish in the city of Washing
il ton, in September a political newspaper, un
der the name of the WASHINGTON SENTI
MEL
In doing so, IL is proper | should make known
the principles il will maintain and the policy i,
will advocate
1t will support cordially and earnestly the prin
cipes of the Democratic party Of tho Uaied States
II does not propose TO be the organ of any Depart
ment of the Government, except in SO far in
dependent maintenance of the doctrines Of that
party may represent its opinions and express lis
views.
II viii not be ambitious to commend itselfto the
people by blind fattery of their rulers. Ii will
seek public slpport 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 ii will endeavor TO deserve the tte) the
organ of the Democratic party Of the United
States
The SENTINEL will maintain, fundamental
truth Of that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification Of the Con-
stitution a compact by which also, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated 70 il,
as their common agent, The powers expressly
specified in it, with an explicit reservation Of all
Others 10 the States, or TO their separate govern
ments. The exercise of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is, therefore usnrpatioa Of the
reserved authority of the States by The agent o,
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 sedulousy guarding
the latter, il will the effectively strengthen
and perpetuate the former. 4
With regard 10 the exercise of the powers Of the
Fec sral Government, the SENTINEL will take
the rincipes of action that Congress shall ey-
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
III N, sfriff .st,l f,f
terpre, ton of its language and spirit; and that il
shall ne seek to attain indirectly objectthroug
the Use of Constitutional poorer, for the dlrca
attainme of which il has no delegation Of posoer.
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 tn Constitution.
In respect to the internal administration of the
Government, The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the Democratic party. II will labor 10
inculcate this cardinal doctrine Of Democratic in
ternal policy:-,hat 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 10 the individual States the manage
ment of all their domestic couoerns--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
and defence Of the common rights, and
honor Of the States composing il.
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy viii suit itself to the exigencies
and correspond with the expanding interests ofthe
country. That policy should be energetic and de-
cided; but should temper frmness with liberalty
and make lis highest ends consist with the strictes
principles Of justice. The real interests of the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention
will be its guide in the course the SENTINEL vii
pnrsne.
The national policy OF the .-.-.---a4
essentially aggressive. In tho growing sense OF
weakness Of some of the nations OF the Old World,
and the ambitious restlrssness of others, com
mon motive TO colonial extension has developed
self.
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with domestic concerns, will
prompt us 10 avoid il in the Affairs OF other coun
tries unLess 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 nfringes 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 10 he properly defensive, 4 must sometimes be
apparently aggrsssire our administration shouid
be yieilant 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 IL. We cannot
avoid il II 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 coniine MT, with neighbors but colony, and
worn out anarchical despotism. We are the
olny people whose own land, without colonial de-
tendencies, is washed by the two great oceans OF
tbe world Our agricultural productions are more
varied and essential TO civilized life, and te
human progress--our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vsst--our facilities and capacity for
intc NAL and foreign commerce more extended
than those Of any other people living under one
government. A continent, TO great extent, un-
explored and exhaustles IN its yet hidden wealth
IL at our feet. European trade seeks the great East
through avenues whirb are at our doors, or must
be made through our own limits. Europe, ASA,
Africa and the isles OF the sea, lying all around
US look 10 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 supersu.
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 IS cansdi
A mission so full of hope, though laden with
responsibility, which, II properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger OF peace 10
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter OF lis
destiny.
The SENTINEL win, therefore, advocate bold
and Jovr,en pocp such as the condition OF
the flag ofthe country--nowhcre else. Its foreign
policy mus, be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeacbable good faith OF the country. To
be respectable home and abroad, and 10 be great
in the eyes Of the world, IL must ask for nothing
but what is right, and submit TO nothing that "
wrong Il must be liberal and magnsnimous 10
the rights Of others, and firm and lmmovcable 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 cndeavor
TO he homes, and truthful. The true friends OF
democratic principles 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--tbc persona
enemy of none of the other.
The present Democratic Administration has oui
test wishes for its success in the establishment o
the great principles upon which Il came into power
| and in its honest lsbors to attain such an end 4
| will find the SENTINEL IFS friend and coadlutor.
r ATER YEARS, py the Author or :. the
IL Old House by the Rlver.r
A