The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-12-10

ton which has been pending for several years, aud
disturb the good understanding which IL ls desra-
BILE should be maintained between the hepuphcs-
A reciprocity treaty with the King of the Hawaiian
Islands was concluded some months ago. IL con-
tains stipulation that IL shall not go into effect
until Congress shall enact the proper Legislation Tor
the purpose. Copies OF the instrument are mere
with submitted In order that II such should be the
pleasure of Congress, the necessary legislation upon
the subject may be adopted
Mr. Gushing, our Minister in Madrid, with the
Spanish Government, for the payment by the latter
10 the United States of the sum OF $50 in coin for
the purpose OF the relief Of the families persons
of the ships company and certain passengers OF the
Yirginius This was to have been paid in three
installmeuts of two months each. IL il due To the
Spanish Government that should state that the
payments were fully and speedily anticipated by
that Government, and that the whole amount
paid within but few days more than two months
from the date OF agreement, copy OF which IL here
with transmitted. In pursuance OF the terms of adj
justment, / have directed distribution of the
amount among the parties entitled thereto, includ
ing the ships company and such OF the passengers
as were American citizens. Payments are made
cordingly on the application Of the parties entitled
thereto.
The past year has furnished no evidences OF an
approaching close of the rurous conflicts which
have been raging for seven years in the neighbor
ing island of Cuba. The same disregard of the laws
of civilized warfare, and OF the just demands OF
humanity which have heretofore called forth ex-
pressions of condemnation from the nations OF
Chrstendom, have continued to blacken the SAD
scene. Desolation, ruin and pillage are pervading
the rich fields of one of the most fertile and produc
tive regions OF the earth, and the incendiaries torch
bring plantations and valuable factories and build
ings il the agent marking the alternate advance
retirement of conending parties The protracted con-
tauance OF the strife seriously Affects the interests
OF all commercial nations, but those of the United
States more than others, by reason of close prox-
unity, its larger trade and intercourse with Cuba,
and the frequent and intimate personal aud social
relations which have grown up between its citizens
and those of the island. Moreover, the prop
erty OF our citizens in Cuba is large, and
is rendered insecure and deprecated
in value and in capacity OF production. BY the
continuance of the strife and the unnatural mode
of its conduct, the same is true differing only in
degree with respect to the interests and people OF
other nations, and the absence OF any reasonable
assurance of a near termination OF the conflict,
must Of necessity soon compel the States thus suf
ferng to consider what the interests of their own
people and their duty toward themselves may coun
sci. have hoped Spain would be enabled TO estab-
lish peace in her colony to afford security to the
property and the interests Of our citizens aud al
low legitimate scope to trade and commerce, and
the natural production OF the island. Because OF
this hope, and from an extreme reluctance TO inter-
fcre in the affairs OF another and friendly nation,
especially of one whose sympathy end friendship in
the struggling infancy of our existence must ever
be remembered with gratitude. l have patiently
and anxousy waited the progress of events. Our
civil conflict is too recent for us not TO con-
slider the difficulties which surround Government
distracted by dynastic rebellion at home, at the
came time that IL has to cope with teparate insur-
rection in distant colony. But whatever causes
may have produced the situation which grievous
y affects interests ii exists with al its attend
ant evils, operating directly upon this country and
its people Thus far all the efforts OF Spain have
proved abortive, aud time has marked no improve
ment in the situation. The armed bands of either
side now occupy nearythe same ground as IN the past,
with the difference from time to time of more lives
sacrificed more property destroyed, and wider ex-
tent Of fertile and productive fields and more yalua
ole property constantly and wantonly sacrificed to
the incendisries' torch.
In contests of this nature, when considerable
/ BODY of peOple who have ATTEMPTED 10 free them
selves of the control of the superior Government
have reached such pointin occupation OF territory,
in power and in general organization as TO
constitute in fact body polite, having govern
ment in substance well az in name, pos
sessed of the elements Of stability, and equipped
with the machinery for the administration OF inter
nal policy and the execution OF its laws, and pre-
pared and able TO administer justice at home. as
well in its dealings with other powers, is within
the province of those other powers to recognize its
existence new and independent nation. In
such cases other nations simply deal with All actual
ly existing condition of things, and recognize
Of the powers of the earth that body polite which,
possessing necessary elements, has, in fact become
new power. In a word, the creation of a new State
is fact To establish the condition of things essen
tial TO the recognition of the fact, there must be
people occupying known territory, united under
some known and defined form OF government ac-
knOwledged 10y those subject thereto, in which the
functions OF government, administered by usual
methods, competent to mete out justice TO citizens
and strangers, to afford remedies for public and
for private wrongs, and able to assume
the correlative international obligations,
and capable of performing the corresponding inter-
national duties resulting from it's acquisition Of the
rights of sovereignty, power should exist CONF
plete in its organization ready to take and able TO
maintain its place among the nations of the earth.
| While conscious that the insurrecton in Cuba has
shown strength and endurance which make II at
least doubtful whether it be in the power of Spain
to subdue 1t. II seems questionable that no such
civil organization exists which may be recognized
an independent Government, capable Of perform
ing its obligations and entitled TO he treated
Of the powers of the earth. A recognition, under
nh xAVll ha ina,
facts, and would compel the power giving it soon To
support by force the Government TO which il had
really given its only claim Of existence.
In my judgment the United States should
adhere to the policy and the principles which
have heretofore been its sure and safe guides in
like contests between reyolted colonies and their
mother country, and acting only upon the clearest
evidence, should avoid any possibility or suspicion
! of Intervention. recognition of the independence
of Cuba being. in my opinion, iinpracticablo and
lndefensible, the question which next presents it.
self is that of recognition Of begerent rights in
the parties to the contest.
In former message to Congress had occasion
to consider this question, and reached the concu-
sion that the conflict in Cuba, dreadful and devas-
tatng its incidents, did not rise to the fear
! full dignity of war. Regarding il now, after the
! lapse of time, am unable 10 see that any notable
success or any marked or real advance, ON the part
of the insurgents has essentially changed the char
acter of the contest. II has acquired greater n c.
! but not greater OF more formidable proportions
IL is possible that the acts of foreign powers, and
even acts of Spain herself, Of this very nature,
might be pointed TO in defense OF such recognition
but now, as in its past history the United States
should carefully avoid the false lights which might
lead it into the mazes of doubtful law and ques-
tonable proprety, and adhere rigdly and sternly
10 the rule which has boen its guide, and doing
only that which is right and honest and of good
| report.
The question of according or Of Withholding
rights OF beligerency must be Judged in every
in view of the particular attending facts; unless
justified by necessity 1t is always anu justly re-
garded unfriendly act, and gratutous
demonstration Of moral support TO the rebellion.
IL IL necessary and IL s required when the inter-
ests and right of another Government, or OF its
people, are so far affected by pending
its relations TO the parties thereto. But that this
conflict must be one which will be recognized in
the sense Of international law ~ war begerence
too, is 4 fact. The mere existence of coniending
armed bodies and their occasional conflicts do not
constitute war in the sense referred tn. Applying
TO the existing condition of affairs in Cuba the tests
recognized 10y publicsts and writer's int. rna-
tional law, and which have been observed by ma
tons Of dignity, honesty and power when tree from
sensitive or selfish and unworthy motives, | TAIL
TO find in the nsurrection the existence Of such a
substantial political organization, real and IGlpa-
! BILE, and manifest TO the world, having the forms
and capable Of the ordinary functions of
toward its own people and 10 other states, with
courts for administration of justice with a local
habtaton possessing such organization of force,
such material, such occupation Of territory rs To
take the contest out Of the category of mere re-
! bellious instruction, occasional skir-
mishes and place IT on the terrible footing Of war
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