The times., 1898-04-12

| llild sale preceOeHtS IN our history from
an early day. They are we'll summed up
in President Jackson's message to Con-
gress, December q, 1886, on the subject of
/ the recognition of the independence of
| Texas. He said:
I'm all the contests that have arisen otit
of the revolutions of France, out of the
disputes relating to the crowns of Portu-
gal and Spain, out of the separation of
the American possessions of both from the
European governments, and out of the
numerous and constantly-occurring strug-
giles for dominion in Spanish America so
wisely consistent with our just principles
has been the action of our Government
that we have, under the most critical cir
cumstances, avoided all censure, and en-
countered TO other evil than that produc-
ed by a transient estrangement of good
will in those against whom we have been
| by force of evidence compelled to decide.
1T has thus been made known to the
world that the uniform policy and prac-
tice of the United States is to avoid all
| late to the internal government of other
nations, and eventually to recognize the
authority of the prevailing party without
reference to our particular interests and
views or to the merits of the original con-
! troversy.
'* But on this, as on every other
trying occasion, safety is to be found in a
rigid adherence to principle.
In the contest between Spain and the
revolted colonies we stood aloof, and
waited not only until the ability of the
new states 10 protect themselves was full
| ly established, but until the danger of
their being again subjugated had entire
| ly passed away. Then. and not until
then, were they recognized. Such was our
course in regard TO Mexico herself. =
1t is true that with regard to
Texas the civil authority of Mexico has
been expelled, its invading army defeated
! the chief of the republic himself capt
ured, and all present power to control
the newly-organized government of Tex
as annihilated within its confines. But on
the other hand, there is, in appearance at
least, an immense disparity of physical
force on the side of Texas. The Mexi-
can Republic under another executive
| Is rallying its forces under a new leader
and menacing fresh invasion to recover
| its lost Dominion.
Upon the issue of this threatened inva-
sion, the independence of Texas may be
considered as suspended; and were there
nothing peculiar in the relative situation
of the United States and Texas, our ac-
acknowledgement of its independence at
such a crisis could scarcely be regarded
as consistent with that prudent reserve
with which we have hitherto held our
selves bound to treat all similar ques-
tions"
What Jackson Did.
Thereupon Andrew Jackson proceeded
to consider the risk that there might be
imputed to the United States motives of
selfish interest in view of the former
claim on our part to the territory of Tex
as, and of the avowed purpose of the Tex
ans in seeking recognition of independ-
ence as an incident to the incorporation
of Texas in the Union; concluding thus:
Prudence. therefore, seems to dictate
that we should still stand aloof and main
tain our present attitude if not until
Mexico itself, or one of the great foreign
powers shall recognize the independence
Of the new government, at least until the
lapse of time or the course of events shall
have proved beyond cavll or dispute the
| ability of the people of that country tc
maintain their separate sovereignty and to
uphold the government constituted by
them. Neither of the contending parties
can justly complain Of this course By
pursuing 1t, we are but carrying out the
Ilong-established policy of our Government,
a policy which has secured to us respect
and influence abroad and inspired conf
dence 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 con-
dition of the recognition of independence
by neutral state do wit, that the re-
yolted state shall constitute in fact a
body polite, having government in sub
stance as well as in name, possessed OF
de facto, If left to itself, a state among
n FEETR 4 R@EFAs