New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-22

! Ind a
ing the recognition of the independence OF Cuoa
and the attitude assumed by President Jackson
toward The proposed recognition OF tne lnu a lie
dence Of Texas In 1886. Some similarity III III
cumstances Is found One Is that Congress nau
in both instances passed RESOLUTIONS -eAp. .S
az the views OF that branch OF the Tower n"'e
As to Texas the Congresslohai ehPi n. -. ho &c
that the Independence of Texas ought 10 pe az
knowledged by the United States whenever sas
isfactory information should be received tha' !.
had in successful operation ciVii
canabe of performing the duties and fuiliiihs
the obligations OF an independent power.
President Jackson regarded these resolutions
ne "a mark Of interest in the question OF the IN
dependence Of Texas and an indication OF tne
views of Congress" which made IL proper ti a
he should somewhat in detail present the consul
erations that had governed the Executive III V ,
tinuing t. occupy the ground previously 'aAe"
in the contest between Mexico ana IeXas.
PREMATURE RECOGNITION UNJUSTIFIABLE.
He argued that the acknowledgment OF
new state as Independent, and entitled to
place in the family Of nations is at all times an
act Of great delicacy and responsibility but more
so when such State has forcibly separated itself
from another of which it had formed an integ-
raj part and which still claims dominion over
it," and he contended that "a premature recos
ntioa under these circumstances, II not looked
upon as justifable cause for war, is always lape
to be regarded a proof Of an unfriendiy spirit
to one Of the contending parties that tne UNI
form policy and practice OF the united States Is
%
relate to the internal government OF other ma
tons and eventually to recognize the authorhy
Of the prevailing party without reference 10 OUT
| particular interests and views or 10 the merits
| of the original controversy
publ. opinion here" said President Jack
SON lis so firmly established and well under
stood in favor Of this policy that no serious
disagreement has ever arisen among ourselves
in relation to IL. although brought under we"
| in a variety OF forms. and at periods when the
minds Of the people were greatly exciteo %
o.,ft. ton 9l
| character Nor has any deliberate irquiry ever
been instituted in Congress or in any or our
legislative bodies as to whom peIoheeG tne
bower Of originally recognizing a lie" STATE,
power the exercise Of which Is equivalent
under some circumstances. to a declaration OF
| war: a power nowhere especially delegated. ana
| only granted in the Constitution as 1t Is neces-
| sary involved in some Of the great powers
| given to Congress-in that given to the Presi-
dent and Senate to form treaties with 1oreiSh
Powers and to appoint Ambassadors and other
publr Ministers. and in that conferred upon
the President to receive Ministers from foreign
nations.
WHERE JACKSON AND CLEVELAND DIFFER
The resemblance, or 'parael' between Cleve-
land and Jackson is departed from in respect
20 the exercise Of the power of recognition.
President Jackson was disposed to concur In
the distinct inti.nation from Congress "that
the exped.ency of recognizing the independence
Of Texas should be left to The decision Of Con-
y
presumed that on no future occasion would
dispute arise between the Executive and the
LEGISLATURE in the exercise OF the power OF
recognition "Old Hickorys' opinion was tnat
III will always be considered consistent win
tho spirit of the Constitution ana most sale
that II should be exercised when probably lead
ing to war. with a previous understanding win
that body by whom war can alone DE deciateu
and bv whom all the provisions for sustain
ING its pers must be furnished Its subnS-
sion to Congress. which represents in one or It's
branches the States of the Union, and in the
other the people Of the United states, where
there may be reasonable ground to apprehend
so grave a consequence, would certainly az
ford the fullest satisfaction to our own coun-
fry and perfect guarantee to all other ma
lions of the justice and prudence OF the meas
IRE which might be adopted
In making these suggestions however. PreSl-
don't Jackson wanted it understood that II was
not his nurpose - relieve himself from the re-
sponsihility of expressing his "own opinions or
the course the interests of our country prescroe
and its honor permits US to follow. And MS
oninions were summed up in these sentences:
The title Of Texas to the territory she claim is
identified with her Independence she asks us to
acknowledge that title to the territory, with an
vowed design 70 treat Immediately of its trans
fer to the United States. II becomes us to be-
ware Of n too early movement. as it might sub
iect us however unjusty. to the inputation or
seeking tn establish the claim of our neghbors
tc = territory with a view TO its subsequent ac-
urisiiion hy ourselves. Prudence. therefore.
seems to dictate that We should stu STAND alooi
and maintain our present attitude. II not unti
Mexico itself or one OF the great foreign Powers
shall recognize the Independence of the rev
Government AT least until the lapse Of time or
tho colIrse Of events shall have proved beyond
cayil or dispute the ability of the people OF that
country To maintain their separate sovereignty
and uphold the Government constituted by them.
Neither of the contending parties can justly
clmplain Of this cOIrse. BY pursuing 1t we are
but carrying out the lonS-esiablished policy OF
our Governmental policy which has secured to
lis respect and influence abroad and inspired
confidence at home."