The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-04-14

tSSoS AAItoI1 81 5pelllGerence was not warranted
by the facts, according to the test OF public
law. = commented especially upon the latter
aspect OF the question, pointing out the in
convenience and positive dangers Of q recopni-
ton of bellgerencys which. while adding ia the
already onerous burdens Of neutrality within
our own jurisdiction, could not in any way
territory Of hostilities Nothing has since oc
Cured to change my view in this regard, and
l recognize as fully now as then that the
issuance OF proclamation of neutrality, by
Wnich process the so-called recognition Of bel
Hgerency Is published could of itself and un-
ATTENDED by other action, accomplish nothing
, ,oWara the one end for which we labor-the
instant pacifcation of Cuba and the cessation
OF rne misery that atf1cts the island. Turning
70 the question of recognition at this time
me lnoependence of the present insurgent gov
eminent IN Cupa, we find safe precedents in
our history from an early day. They are well
summed up in President Jackson's message to
congress,. Dec. II, 1896, on the subject of the
said: i. 1"-',''~ -" y -
In all the contests that have arisen out Of
the revolutions of France, out of the disputes
relating to the crews of Portugal and Spain,
out Ct the separation of the Americans possess
slons OF both from the European governments,
ana out OF the numerous and constantly oc-
curing struggles for dominion in Spanish
America SO wisely consistent with our lust
principles has been the action of our govern
ment that we have under the most critical
circumstances avoided all censure, and en-
countered no other evil than that produced by
a transient estrangement of good will in those
against Whom we have been by force of evil
dence, compelled to decide. 1t has thus made
known to the world that the uniform policy
and practice of the United States Isl to avoid
all interference in disputes which merely re-
late to the internal government Of other ma
lions, and eventually to recognize the author
ity of the prevailing party without reference
to particular interests or views, or to the
merits of the original controversy. =
But on this as every other trying occasion,
SAFETY is to be found in rigid adherence to
principle.
I'm the contest between Spain and the re-
VOTED colonies we stood a1oof and waited not
only until the ability of the new states to
protect themselves was fully established, but
suntil the danger of their being again subju-
gated had entirely passed away Then, and
not until them 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 enemy defeated, the chief Of the
republic had himself been captured, and all
present power to control the newly-organized
government of Texas annihilated within its
appearance, at least an immense disparity Of
physical force on the side of Texas The Mex
lean republic, under another executive, is rally
ing its forces under a new leader, and menac-
ing fresh invasion to recover it's lost do
minion.
Upon the issue of this threatened invasion
the independence of Texas may be considered
suspended, and there nothing peculiar
in the situation of the United States and
Texas, our acknowledgment 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
Recognition of independence.
Thereupon Andrew Jackson proceeded to
.sidsr the, risk that there might be imputed to
the United States motives of selfish interests
in view of the former claim of part to
the territory of Texas and of the avowed pur-
pose of the Texans in seeking recognition Of
independence as an incident to the incorpora-
ton of Texas in the union; concluding thus
prudence, therefore, seems to dictate that
we should still stand aloof and maintain our
present attitude, if not until Mexico itself.
or one of the great foreign powers shall recog-
nize the independence Of the new government,
at least until the lapse OF time or the course
of events shall have proved eeyond cavl or
dispute the ability of the people\of that coun-
try to maintain their separate sovereignty and
to uphold the government constituted By them.
Neither of the contending parties can Mstly
complain of this course. By pursuing IL, we
are but carrying out the long cstab.ie he'd
policy of our government, policy which has
secured to us respect and influence abroad and
inspired confidence at home.
These 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 recog-
milton of the independence by neutral state,
to-wit: that the revolted state shall constitute
in fact body polite. having a government in
substance as well in name, composed of the
clements of stability and forming de facto
'if left to itself a state among the nations
of a state,' has imposed for its own goverance
in dealing with cases like these further con-
dition that the recognition Of independent state
hood is not due to a revolted dependency
until the danger of it's being again subjugated
by TIE parent state has entirely passed awoy.
The extreme test was in fact applied in the
jackson referred the question as one purely
leading: -.
ana therefore proper subject for previous
can alone be declared and by whom all the
provisions for, sustaining its perilsN must be
of Texas to the decision of the executive, pro-
viding merely for the sending of a diplomatic
agreement when the president should be salts
fed that the Republic of Texas had Hecome
by President Van Buren,, who commissioned
charge d affaires March Z, 1887, after Mexico
Texan territory and when there was at the
time no bona fide contest going on between
the insurgent province and it's former sover-
eign. I said in my message Of December last:
lit is to be seriously considered whether the
Cuban instruction possesses beyond dispute
the attributes of statehood which alone
demand the recognition of belligerency. in its
favor" The same requirement must certainly
be no less seriously considered when the gray
er issue of recognizing independence is I'm
question for less positive test be ap-
piled to the greater act than to the lesset
while on the other hand the influences and
consequences of the struggle upon the internal
important factors when the recognition CT
beligerency is concerned are secondary isl
not rightly elilninable factors when the real
question is whether the community claiming \
recognition is is not independent beyond
peradventure. Nor from he standpoint Of ex-
pedence do think it would be wise or pru-
dent for this government 20 recoy lize at the
present time the md :penl.l:e she .
SO-Cal1ed Cuban Government.
Such recognition is not necessary in order
t. enable the United States to intervene and
racify the island. To commit this country
now to the recognition of any part secular gov
eminent in Cuba might subject US to en1bar-
RAISING conditions of international obligation
towards the organization so recognized. In
case of intervention conduct would be sub
lect to the approval or disapproval of such
government; we would be required to submit
to its direction and to assume to it the mere
relation of friendly ally. When It shall ap-
pear herea fter that there is within the island
a government capable Of performing the duties
eni discharging the functions of a separate
nation, and having. as matter of fact, the
proper forms and attributes of nationality, sucn
government be promptly and readily rec
ognized, and the relation Of and interests Of
the United States with such nation adjusted.
There remain the alternative forms of inter-.
vention to end the war, either an impartial
by imposing rational compromise De-
tween the contestants the active ally of
the one party the other rs s.. :. 5.s a :,s
AS 10 the first it is not to be forgotten that
during the last few months the relation of the
United States has virtually been one of friend
ly Intervention in many ways: each not Of
itself conclusive, but all tending to the e:1Ff-
ton of a potential influence toward ulti-
mate pacific result, just and honorable to all
concerned The spirit of all our Ss:ts
l I1-$o 1,oc y,nar7 oct oil Ch &C