New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-23
TRUE ATTITUDE TOWARD CUBA.

FREDERICK W. SEWARD QUOTES JOHN
QUINCY ADAMS AND THE HOUSE
RESOLUTIONS OF 1870 TO SHOW
WHAT 1T SHOULD BE.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: John Quincy Adams was President Nom
roes Secretary CT State. AS the expounder. II
rot the originator, CT the celebrated Monroe
Doctrine. as the negotiator Of the treaty by
which we obtained Florida from Spain. and 40
the warm advocate Of the recognition of the
struggling Spanish American republics. his opin-
Ions on the Cuban question may have some
weight.
His view of II that, as ripcned ap-
pie, when severed by the tempest from ito
native tree. cannot but fan to the ground. 80
Cuba, when disjoinvd from Its unnatural con-
nection with Spain. can gravtate only to the
United States"
II was statesmanlike thought But since
he enunciated IL IT. 1923 there has developed
among OF inordinate craving for
green apples regardless Of the fact that the
apple might resist being p!ucked. or. II plucked
and eaten. might disagree with u.s.
But who is to decide whether the apple is ripe
or not? Congress" says the Senate Commit.
tee on Foreign Relations. NO" says the Sec.
retary of State 1.-THE tight and duty OF recOg-
nizjng new governments belong to the Execu-
tive" And in this Secretary Olney has the
precedents on his side. Presidents Monroe
Adams, Jackson. Van Buren,. Harrison, Polk.
Taylor, Pierce. Buchanan Lincoln Johnson.
Grant, Hayes Cleveland. and their Secretaries
Of State. including. Clay. Webster Calhoun
Everett, Marcy. Cass, Seward Fish and Blaine
have all assumed the responsibility as an Ex-
ecutive
New governments have been recognized"
sometimes with. and sometimes without pre-
cedng Congressional sanction. New govern
ments have been recognized or have been re.
fused recognition by the Executive Administra-
ton in the cases of Mexico. Central America.
South America Greece. Hungary. France. Spain
and Italy Occasionally the Executive has
averted war by declining TO recognize prema-
turely movements that had popular sympathy
in the United states.
And there is another factor in the problem not
to be overlooked. The people Of these United
States have decided, at their recent election. that
they will have a new President and new Con-
gress. to whom they will ntrust the management
Of their foreign affairs. Would 1t not be I'M
warranted assumption the part of Congress
having but ten weeks to live to dictate before
hand the policy of the incoming Administration.
or to beuueath to il the legacy OF a foreign war?
i the action Of a committee OF one House to over
ride both Congresses and both Administrations
In deciding between war and peace?
But shall be answered. and justly enough.
Are We then to do nothing 20 show our sympa-
thy with struggling patriots in Cuba. whom We
want to see free. whom We want to have autono-
N.Y. independence. and even annexation If they
desire? Should Congress stand silent at such
crisis and make no effort to voice the popular
feelng?'
The reply to that cannot better be given than
in the words Of the resolutions drawn up by John
Quincy Adams and adopted by the House Of
Representatives in 1920. Here they are
Resolved That the House OF Representatives par
tlcpate with the people Of the United States In the
deep interest which they feel fCr the success OF the
Spanish Provinces OF South America which are
struggling TO establish their liberty and indeperd-
80 -,
Resolved That this House will give Its consti.u.
tional support TO the President or the Uniteo
states whenever he may deem II expedient TO rec.
ognize the sovereignty and independence OF any OF
the said provinces.
These or like words are as good now as then.
Adopted now. they would conform to past prece-
dents They would voice the public feeling.
They would encourage the Cubans. and they
could give no ground for hostile action to Spain
or any body else FREDERICK w. SEWARD.
Montrose- on the Hudson. Dec 81. 1896.