Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-23
VOICES OF THE PRESS.
As With Texas. So With Cuba.

Does not the Hon. Richard Olney,
secretary of state of the United States
md man with a library, know that
ixty years ago this very day, on Dec.
Il, 1896. President Andrew Jackson
wrote message to Congress referring
o that body the question of recogniz-
ng the independence of the republic of
Texas, and deferring to the decision
If Congress in that matter:
The coincidence of dates and the
analogy of the circumstances form one
If the most extraordinary parallels in
all our history; the only important
Inference being in the attitude of An
lreM Jackson toward the law making
branch of the government. as contrast
I'd with that which Mr.. Olney now as
'umes. in the absence of his chief.
Texas. like Cuba, had declared her
independence. had adopted a consti-
tuition and a system OF government
md had fought bravely in the field for
freedom. In both houses of the Con-
,ress of the United States the senti-
nent was strong for. recognition. A
preliminary resolution for that purpose
lad passed both houses. In the Senate
vas pending another resolution. def
iitely and distinctly recognizing the
'oung Texan republic Gen. Jachson.
Ike Mr.. Olney and -..r. Cleveland, was
disposed to regard the resolution as
premature. Under such circumstances
lie sent to Congress the message of
Dec. u. 1896. setting forth his own
Jews with franKness. hut declaring
hat the decision was with Congress
md not with the executive. for the
easons stated in the extracts here
ubjoined:
Nor has any deliberate inquiry ever
been instituted in Congress. or in any
If our legislative bodies, as To whom
belonged the power of originally recog-
iizing a new state-a power the exer-
Use of which is equivalent, under
ONE circumstances. to a declaration
II war-a power nowhere expressly
delegated. and only granted in the con-
ititution. as ii is necessarily involved
n some of the great powers given to
Congress; in that given To the Presi-
lent and Senate to form treaties with
'oreign powers. and to appoint amhas-
;adorS and other public ministers: and
n that conferred upon the President to
'eceive ministers from other nations.
in the preamble to the resolution of
he House of Representatives. it is
distinctly minated that the expedi-
.ncy of recognizing the independence
# Texas should be left to the de-
.ison of Congress. In this view, on
he ground of expediency, l am dis
posed to concur: and do not. therefore.
.onSider il necessary to express any
opinion as to the strict constitutional
light OF the executive, either apart
rom or in conjunction with the Sen
tie, over the subject. 1t is to be pre-
'umed that on no future occasion Will
dispute arise. as none has heretofore
occurred. between the executive and
he legislature. in the exercise of the
power of recognition. 1t viii always
)e considered consistent with the
;prit of the constitution. and most
.afe, that it should be exercised, when
probably leading to war, with a pre-
5ious understanding with that body by
whom war alone can be declared and
~ whom all the provisions for sustain
ng it's perils must be furnished. Its
submission to Congress, which repre-
,ents in one o. it's branches the states
If this Union and in the other the peo-
ole of the United States. where there
may be reasonable ground to appre-
bend so grave a consequence, would