Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-02-01
PROSPECTUS
OF THE
.wAsHINGToN SENTINEL.

MEL.
In doing so, IL is proper l should make known
the principles u VIII maintain, and the policy II
will advocate.
Ii will support cordially and earnestly the prin
ciples OF the Democratic party Of Me United States
It 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 ambitious to commend selfto the
people by blind fattery 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-
ton 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 tiile) 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-
sttution 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 all
others to the States, or TO their separate govern
ments. The exercise Of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, Isl therefore, usurpafon 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 Slates--under
the Constitution--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-
erclse 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 iadirsctiy object through
the exercise OF constitutional poscsr for the direct
attainment of which it has no delegation of posceY
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly granted, and all granted powers must be
used Tor no purpose, except such 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
incucate 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 10 the individual States the manage
ment OF all their domestic concerns-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 ii.
The SENTINEL will advocate such progressive
foreign policy as 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 srietest
principles OF justice. The real interests of the
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 tho growing sense OF
weakness 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 to repel interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, will
prompt us to avoid il in the affairs of other coun
frIp hv hair
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
dangerous and unfriendly rival, such policy must
be resisted by remonstrance, and, if need be, by
war;
Our foreign policy should, indeed, be defensive;
but TO be properly deenstvs, il 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 it. We cannot
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
WORKOUT, anarchical despotism. We are tho
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 to
human progress-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast-our facilities and capacity for
internal and foreign commerce more extended
than those OF any other people living under one
government. A continent, to a great extent I'M
explored and exhaustless 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 10 us as 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 10 triumph over the barbarism and supersti-
ton 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 il is calleda
A mission so full of hopes though laden with
responsibility, which, if properly directed, must
make our confederacy the harbinger Of peace 10
the world, as well as the peaceful arbiter Of its
destiny
and earnest Joregn policy, such as the condition OF
the country demands; but il will advocate il under
the nag ofthe country-nowhere else. Its foreign
policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
and unimpeachable good faith Of the country. To
be respectable at 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 is
wrong. 1t must be liberal and magnanimous to
the rights of others, and firm and immoveabe in
insisting on its own. II must, in fine, be true TO
its own interests, rights and honor-t 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
TO be honest and truthful The true friends OF
principles we shall cordially support
and defend. Its 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 its own parfy--the personal
enemy Of none OF the other.
The present Democratic Administration has our
hest 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 il
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
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