Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-03-13
PROSPECTUS S
..wAsHINGToN ~ SENTINEL. /,

MEL. 86,g
| 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 tho United States
II does not propose TO 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 10 commend ilselfto the
people by a blind fattery Of their rulers. II will
seek public support by the bold avowal OF the
| 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 land ID will endcavor deserve the aitls) the
organ of the Democratic party of the United
States.
The SENTINEL viii maintain, as a fundamental
truth that great party that the States formed the
Union between them by the ratification Of the Con-
stitution compact; by which alse, they created
| the Federal Government, and delegated TO II,
as their common agent, the powers expressly
specified in il, with explicit reservation OF all
others to the States, TO their separate govern
ments. The exercise Of any powers beyond these
thus delegated, is, therefore, usurpaton of the
reserved authority of the States by the agent OF
their own creation. Etat
The SENTINEL will uphold and defend the Union
upon the basis Of the rights of the States-under
the Constitution-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
Fece eral Government, the SENTINEL will take as
the rincpes ofits action, that Congress shall ex-
ercis no power which has not been delegated by
the c, ustitution according 70 strict and fair in
terpre, tion of its language and spirit; and that i
shall nj seek attain indirectly object through
the exel Use Of constitutional pos0er, for the rs
attainme tof which it has Allegation Of p0sOer.
In other words, all powers exercised must be
clearly gra ted, and all granted powers must be
used for ,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 to
incucate this cardinal doctrine of Democratic in
ternal policy:-,h 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 all their donsestic co,scerns--whie 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 1t.
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 iberality,
and make its highest ends consist with the strctest
principles Of justice. Tho real interests OF the
country, upon each occasion demanding attention
will be its guide in the course the SENTINEL viii
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 to colonial extension has developed
self
Our settled determination tc repe interference
from abroad with our domestic concerns, viii
prompt us to avoid il in the affairs of other coun
tries, uness 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, by
war.
Our foreign policy should. indeed, be defensive,
but to be properly defensive, must sometimes be
apparently ag gvesstVs. Our administration should
be vgilant, watchfu, 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 If we would We have larger interests, and
a greater stake in the world and ts destiny, than
every other people. We occupy the best portion
Of continent, with no neighbors but colony, and
o worn-out, anarchical despotism. 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 msee'
varied and more essential to civilized life an4t 70
human progrcss-our mineral and manufacturing
resources more vast--our facilities and capacty0S
| 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 exhaustess IN its yet hidden wealth
s 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,
A - .-lc 1F skA lyfn nall md
| us, look to us as the rising power through the
/ agency of whose example, and ever widening and
| extending, though pcaceful influences, the bless
ngs Of liberty, civilization, and religion, are des-
tined to triumph over the barbarism and superstl-
| ton of the millions Of the world. And shall such
people refuse to lay hold upon their destiny, and
/ act upon the high mission 10 which II is calledf
| A mission so full of hope, though so laden with
responsibility, which, il properly directed, must
| make our confederacy the harbinger Of peace to
1 the world, as well as the peaceful rbtcr Of its
destiny,
The SENTINEL will therefore, advocate a bold
and earnest foreign policy, such rs the condition OF
the country demands; but IL will advocate II under
| the flag ofthe country--nowhere else. Its foreign
| policy must be consistent with the spotless honor
| and unimpeachabe 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 magnanimous to
| the rights Of others, and firm and immoveable in
insisting on its own. 1t must, in fine, be true TO
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 endeavor
| to 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 de-
| nounce.
! To our future brethren Of the press we extend
/ ~ nd nf fria lv
rival Of no press OF ia own party-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 II
will find the SENTINEL its friend and coadjutor.
i n ATER YEARS, py tho Author Of % the
Ia Old House by the RIVER"
Mr. Rutherford's Children, second volume.
Pebbles from the Lake Shore, or Miscellaneous
po~... 30 oh rles I.eland potter. A. M.