Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-04-21

have under the most critical circumstances.
avoided all censure and encountered no other
evil than that produced by transient estrange-
ment OF good will in those against whom we
have been by force OF evidence compelled to
decide It has thus made known to the world
that the uniform policy and practice of the
United States is to avoid all interference
In disputes which merely relate - the internal
government of other nations, and eventu-
ally to recognize the authority OF the pre-
yailing party without reference to our particular
interests and views or to the merits of the orig
inal controversy, but on this, as on every other
occasion. safety is to be found in rigid adher-
ence to principle
In the contest between Spain and the revolt
ed colonies we stood aloof and waited not only
until the ability of the new states to protect
themselves was fully established but until the
danger of their being again subjugated had en-
tirely passed away. Then, and not until then,
were they recognized Such was our course in
regard to Mexico herself
Andrew jackson on Texas.
1T is true that with regard to Texas the civil
authority of Mexico has been expelled it's in
vading army defeated. the chief of the republic
himself captured and all present power to con-
sole the newly organized government of to-
days annihilated within it's confines But, on
the other hand, there is in appearance at least.
an immense disparity of physical force on the
side Of Texas The Mexican republic under
another executive is rallying it forces under
new leader and menacing fresh invasion to
recover its lost domain.
the independence of Texas may be considered
as suspended, and were there nothing peculiar
in the situation of the United States and Texas,
| our acknowledgement of its independence at
such crisis could scarcely be regarded
consistent with that prudent reserve with
which we have hitherto held ourselves bound
to treat all similar questions
Thereupon Andrew Jackson proceeded to con-
slider the risk that there might be imputed to
the United States motives of selfish interests
in view OF the former claim on our part OF the
territory Of Texas and of the avowed purpose
OF the Texans in seeking recognition Of indie
pendence as an incident to the incorporation of
Texas in the union, concluding thus:
prudence therefore, seems to dictate
that should still stand aloof
and maintain our present attitude, if
not until Mexico itself. of the great for
eign powers shall recognize the independence
of the new government at least until the lapse
of time the course of events shall have
proved beyond cavil dispute the ability of
the people of that country to maintain their
separate sovereignty and to uphold the govern
ment constituted by them. Neither Of the con-
| tending parties can justly complain of this
course BY pursuing it. but carrying
| out the 1ong-establisbed policy of our govern
ment. policy which has secured respect and
| influence abroad and inspired confidence at
| home
These are the words of the resolute and
| patriotic Jackson. They are evidence that the
| United States in addition to the test imposed
| by public law as the condition of the recogni-
ton OF independence by neutral state (to-wit,
| that the revolted state shall constitute in fact
a body polite, having government in sub
stance as well as in name, possessed of the ele-
mentS of stability and forming de facto, If
! left to itself, state among the nations, rea-
sorably capable of discharging the duties of a
state'O, there was at the time no bona flde con-
| test going ON between the insurgent province
and its former sovereign.
| said in my message of December last: ut
| Is to be seriously considered whether the Gu
| ban Instruction possesses beyond dispute the
lott of St. fnh 1ia1 oil III
| mand the recognition of bellgerency in its
| favor" The same requirement must certainly
| be no less seriously considered when the
graver issue of recognizing independence is in
| question, for no less positive test can be ap-
| piled to the greater act than to the lesser.
| while the other hand the influences and
| consequences of the struggle upon the internal
| policy OF the recognizing state. which form i'm
| portant factors when the recognition of bellig-
! erency is concerned are secondary, if not
| rightly eliminable factors when the real QueS-
| ton is whether the community claiming recog-
milton is or is not independent beyond perad-
| venture
| Averse to Recognition.
| Nor from the standpoint of eXpedience do I
think it would be wise or prudent for this gov
eminent to recognize at the present time the
independence of the so-called Cuban republic
Such recognition is not necessary in order to
enable the United States to intervene and
pacify the island. To commit this country now
to the recognition of any particular govern
ment in Cuba. might subject US to embarrassing
| conditions of international obligation toward
the organization SO recognized In of
| intervention, our conduct would be subj ,ct to
! the approval or disapproval of such govern
ment; would be required to submit to its
| direction and to assume to 1t the mere relation
| of friendly reply. When it shall appear
| hereafter that there is within the island gov
| menu capable of performing the duties and dis
| charging the functions of a nation. and having.
! as a matter of fact the proper forms and at
| tributes of nationality. such government can be
| recognized.
| tions and interests of the United States with
| such nation adjusted There remain the al
| tentative forms of intervention to end the war.
| either as an impartial neutral. by imposing a
rational compromise between the contestants.
| or active ally of the one party or the
| other
during the last few months, the relation to the
United States has virtually been one of friend
ly intervention in many ways, each not of itself
not conclusive. but all tending to the exertion
| of potential influence toward an ultimate pa
cific result Just and honorable to all interests
concerned The spirit of all our acts hitherto
| has been an earnest. unse fish desire FIR peace
| and prosperity In Cuba, untarn1Shed by OH er-
| ences between US and Spain and unStained by
| the blood of American citizens
The forcible Intervention of the United
States as neutral 10 stop the war, according
co the large dictates OF humanity and following
| many historical proceed entsswhere neighboring
states have interfered to check the hopeless
sacrifice of life by internecine conflicts beyond
their borders. is justifiabie on national grounds
| Tt involves, however, hostile conStraint upon
both the parties to the o1test as well as to en-
force a truce to gUi lie the eventual settle
ment
Grounds for Intervention.
The grounds for such Intervention may be
briefly summarized as follows:
First-In the cause OF humanity and to put
an end to the barbarities, bloodshed starya-
tion and horrible miseries now existing there,
and which the parties to the conflict either
unable or unwilling to stop or mitigate It is
no answer to say this Is all in another country.
belonging to another nation, and is therefore
none OF our business It is specially our duty.
4 for is right a door.