The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-04-14


intervene at once and stop the Cuban
war.
and waited not only until the ability
of new states to protect themselves
was fully established, but until the
danger of their being again subiugat-
ed had entirely passed away. Then,
and not until then, were they recog-
niZed. Such was our course in re-
gard to Mexico herself.
ut is true that with regard to
Texas the civil authority of Mexico
has been expelled, it's invading army
defeated, the chief of the Republic
himself captured, and all present
power to control the newly organized
government of Texas 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 Mexican Republic under another
executive is rallying its forces under q
new leader and menacing a fresh in
VasiOn to recover its lost dominion
Upon the issue of this threatened
III GlSIOll, lllN liItN tICilNltICt Vi / GAdS
may be considered as suspended, and
were there nothing peculiar in the
relative situation of the United States
and Texas, our ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of
its Independence at such a crisis
could scarcely be regarded as consis-
tent with that prudent reserve with
which we have hitherto held our
selves bound to treat all similar ques-
tions.
Thereupon Andrew jackson pro-
ceeded to consider the risk that there
might be imputed to the United
States, motives of selfish interests in
view of the former claim on our part
to the territory of Texas, and of the
avowed purpose of the Texans in
seeking recognition of independence
, as.an INCIDENT to the corporation of
S-,-sis is iii the Union, concluding thus
prudence, therefore, seems to die
tate that we should still stand aloof
and maintain our present attitude, if
not until Mexico itself, or one of the
great foreign powers shall recognize
the independence of the new govern
ment, at least until the lapse of time
or the course of events shall have
proved beyond cavil or dispute the
ability Of the people of that country
to maintain theirseparates tesOvereignty
and to uphold the government con
stituted by them. Neither of the con
tending parties can justly complain
of this course. By pursuing it, we
are but carrying out the long estab-
lished policy which has secured to us
respect and influence abroad and in
spired 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 pub
lie law as the condition of the recog-
milton of Independence by a neutral
State (to-wit, that the revolted State
shall constitute in fact a body poll
tic, having government in substance
as we'll as in name, possessed of the
elements of stability" and forming de
facto, ''if left to itself, State among
the nations, reasonably capable of
discharging the duties of a State;'0
has imposed for its own governance in
dealing with cases like these the fur
ther condition that recognition of in
dependent Statehood is not due to a
revolted dependency until the dan
ger of its being again subjugated by
the parent State has entirely passed
away. This extreme test was in fact
applied in the case of Texas.
The Congress to whom President
Jackson referred the question as one
probably leading to war, ,'and, there
fore, a proper subject for "a previous
understanding with that body by
whom war can alone be declared, and
hxr HON oil thn 1NrnyiCinnc fa
tanning its perils must be furnished, -
left the matter of the recognition of
| Texas to the discretion of the EXecu-
tive, providing merely for the sending
of diplomatic agent when the Presi-
dent should be satisfied that the Re
public of Texas had become IAN indie
pendint State" 1t was so recognized
! by President Van Buren,, who com
missioned a Charge d'Affaires, March
Z, 1887, after Mexico had abandoned
an attempt to recOnquer the Texan
territory, and when there was at the
time no bona tlde contest going on be-
tween the insurgent province and its
former sovereign.
The oVertures of this Government,
made through its now envoy, General
Woodford, and looking to an imme-
diate and effective amelioration of the
condition of the island, although not
accepted to the extent of admitted
mediation in any shape, were met by
assurances that home rule, in an ad
vanced phase, would be forthwith of
fered to Cuba, without waiting foi
the war to end, and that more hu
name methods should thencefortE
prevail in the conduct of hostilities.
Coincidentally with these declara
tions, the new Government of Spair
continued and completed the policy
already begun by it's predecessor, Of
testifying friendly regard for this ma
tion by releasing American citizens
held under one charge or another con