Washington sentinel., 1855-03-09
PROSPECTUS S
OF THE
"WASHINGTON SENTINEL

III PROPOSE 10 publish in the city OF Washing
i ton, in September, a political newspaper, nn
MEL.
In doing so, 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
il does not propose be the organ of any Depart
ment Of the Cove vernment 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 ambitious to commend tselfto the
people by blind fattcry 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-
tion Of oil such may conflict with them, from
whatever quarter they may esne L wlil seek m 70
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.
sttution as compact; by which, also, they created
the Federal Government, and delegated TO i,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in it, with an 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, an 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 seduously guarding
the latter, it will the more efectuay strengthen
and perpetuate the former.
With regard TO the exercise Of the powers ofthe
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 oft language and spirit; and that i
hall otfatp m
the exei Use of constitutional poscer, for the direct
attainme of which il has no deegGtion Of po,cer.
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 10 the internal administration of the
Government, The SENTINEL will sustain the settled
policy of the L mocratic party. II will labor TO
inculcate this c, dnal doctrine of Democratic in
ternal policy, at this Government will best
promote the freed m and prosperity OF the people
Of the States by being less ambitious TO exercise
power, and more anxious 10 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 pohcy
Of the country 10 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 striotes
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 rsstlessness of others, a com
mon motive 10 colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination &c repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, vii
prompt us 10 avoid il in the affairs Of other conn
tries unless by their foreign colonial policy our
peace should be threatened, our security endan
gered or interests invaded. For when the
selfish interests of other nations prompt foreign
or colonial policy which infrnges upon our rights.
and places in the pathway Of our commerce a
dangerous and unfriendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, II need be, by
war.
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive /;
but 10 be properly defensipe, il must sometimes be
apparently aggressiUe Our administrator shouio
be vigant, 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 IL. We cannot
avoid il il we would We have larger interests and
u
every other people. We occupy the best portion
Of continent with no neighbors but colony, and
worn-out, anarchical despstism. 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 10 civilized life, and To
human progress--our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-our facilities and capacIty Tor
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those Of any other people living under one
A n n NJ
explored and exhaustess IN its yet hidden wealth
is at our feet European trade seeks the great East
through avenues which are 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 as the rising power, through the
agency of whose example, and ever widening and
extending though peaceful influences, the bless
nrs Of liberty, civilization, and religion are des
| tined 10 triumph over the barbarism and superst-
| lion of the millions of the world. And shall such
people refuse to lay hold upon their destiny, and
| act upon the high mission TO which y IS calledf
A mission so full of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, II properly directed, must
| make our confederacy the harbinger OF peace to
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiier OF IT'S
| destiny.
| The srrrrSrr. will, therefore, advocate bold
and earnest fore,gn policy, such the condition OF
the country demands but it will advocate II under
| the flag ofthc couniry-nowhere else. Its foreign
polcy must be consistent with the spotless honor
| and unimpeachaDle ROOu ialH VI ~
he 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 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 honor--it 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
| 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
i nounce.
To our future brethren Of the press we extend
,ba hand Of offriendly 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
hest wishes for its success in the establishment oil
the great principles upon which i came into power
and In its honest labors to attain such an end n
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadJutor
TrRMs: For the Daily paper, $40 year, IN ad-
vance. For the Tr-weekly, 80 year to single