The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1898-04-23

by the facts, according to the test OF public
law. ! commented especially upon the latter
aspect OF the question. pointing out Inc In
tion of belligerency which, while AIDING 70 the
already onerous burdens OF neutrality within
our own jurisdiction, could not IN any way
territory of hostllities. Nothing has since oc-
CURED to change my view In this regard. and
I recognize as fully now as then tnat me
which process the so-called recognition or bel
ligerency is published, could Of itself and UNI
attended by other action, accomplish nothing
toward the one end for which we labor-the
instant pacidcation of Cuba and the cessation
OF the misery that aff1icts the island. Turning
to the question Of recognition at this time
the independence OF the present insurgent gov
eminent in Cuba, we find safe precedents IN
our history from an early day. They are wei
summed up in President Jackson's message to
congress, Dec. 81, 1885. on the subject of the
recognition of the independence OF Texas. he
said: .
I'm 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 American possess
| sions of both from the European governments.
and out Of the numerous and constantly oc-
curing struggles fo: dominion In Spanish
America SO wisely consistent with our Just
ment that we have under the most critical
| circumstances avoided all censure. and en-
countered no Other evil than that produced by
a transient enlargement 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 Is 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 our particular interests or views, or TO tne
merits of the original controversy.
But on this, as every other trying occasion,
safety is to be found in a rigid adherence 10
principle.
"In the contest between Spain and the re.
VOTED colonies we stood aloof and waited not
only until the ability of the new states to
protect themselves was fully established, put
until the danger of their being again sub1u,
gated had entirely passed away: Then s ana
was our course in regard to Mexico hersela.
. . : It is true that with regard to Texas
the civil authority OF Mexico mas as oe ahie sAp pc tpe
| republic had himself been captured, and az
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. Inc Mex
ing its forces under q new leader, and menace
ing a fresh invasion to recover us ios' o'-
minion. ,o ,,,,os,on
the independence Of Texas may be considered
as suspended, and were there nothing pecoliaT
in the situation of the United states anu
at such a crisis could scarcely be regarded as
consistent with that prudent reserve ,e WIZ
which we have hitherto held ourselves oou''u
to treat all similar questions
RecOgnition of Independence.
Thereupon Andrew Jackson proceeded to con-
slider the risk that there might be imputed 70
the United States motives OF seihsn ln. on : rs
In view Of the former claim of our part 10
the territory Of Texas and or the aNoWeu ~
nose of the Texans in seeking recognition ol
independence as an incident to lne nnc4 t :
tion of Texas in the union; concluding mus:
prudence, therefore, seems to oictate tnas
we should still stand aloof and maintain OUT
present attitude, # r not u nemer Me shan recog.
nize the independence of the new government,
at least until the lapse of time or the ccurse
Of events shall have proye aanI ney nf thar Il coun-
try to maintain their separate soVefeisn's an
to uphold the government constituted py !nct..
Neither of the contending parties ean ~ we
are but carrying out the long esta.,lsneu
policy Of our government, a policy which mas
secured to US respect and influence lo1''ao anu
Inspired confidence at home.'
These are the words of the resolnte anu
patriotic jackson. They are evidence that inc
by public law as the condition OF tne tecos-
milton of the independence by a neutral STATE,
to-wit: that the revolted state shall consume s
In fact a body polite. having a government ~
substa1.c e as well as in name, composed OF tne
clements Of stability and forming de 1acto
tif left to itself a state among the na.uuns
reasonably capable of discharging the duties
of a state has imposed for its own goSerance
In dealing with cases like these further con
dition that the recognition OF independent sta.e,
hood is not due to a revolted de2enaency
until the danger Of it's being again su5jugateo
by tie parent state has entirely passed a"oy.
! The extreme test was In fact applieo IN ma ~
Ease of Texas. The congress to whom Presloent
jackson referred the question as one purely
leading. ,.-v
and therefore a proper subject for previous
UNDERSTANDING with that body by whom war
can alone be declared and by whom all the
provisions for sustaining its perils must De
of Texas to the decision of the executive, pro
viding merely for the sending Of a diplomatic
agreement when the president should pc satis-
fled that the Republic Of Texas had become
can independent state.' 1t was SO recognized
by President Van Buren,, who commissioned a
| charge d'affaires March q. 1887, after Mexico
Texan territory and when there was at the
time no bona fde contest going on between
the insurgent province and it's former sover.
eign. 1 said in my message of December last:
at is to be seriously considered whether the
Cuban Instruction possesses beyond dispute
the attributes of statehood which alone can
demand the recognition of belligerency IN It's
favor" The same requirement must certainly
be no less seriously considered when the grav-
er 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 on the other hand the influences and
| consequences of the struggle upon the internal
important factors when the recognition Ct
belligerency is concerned are secondary is
not rightly elilninable factors when the real
question is whether the community claiming
recognition is or is not independent beyond
peradventure. Nor from -he standpoint OF ex-
pedience do I think it would be wise or pru-
| dent for this government 20 recog MA ut the
present time the Ind :pend. l:e . ;hc
sO-Cnlled Cuban Government:
Such recognition is not necessary in order
t. enable the United States to Intervene ana
! pacify the island. To commit this country
now to the recognition of any part secular gov
eminent in Cuba might subject US to efnpar-
rasstng conditions of international obligation
towards the organization so recognized. IN
case Of Intervention our conduct would be SUBJ
acct to the approval or dtsanprova4 OF sucn
government: we wouiu pe required 70 SUBMIT
to it's direction and to assume to It the mere
relation Of a friendly ally. When It SHAH ap.
near hereafter that there is within the island
q government capable Of performing the duties
ami disclarging the functions OF 2 separate
/ nation. and having, az q matter Of fact. the
} proper forms and attributes Of nationality. such
government can 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 as an impartial
neutral by imposing . rational compromise De.
tween the contestants or as the active ally OF
the one party OF the other. -.
IA to the first It Is not to be Forgotten tnat
durinR the last few months the relation OF the
United States has virtually been one OF trieno.
" Intervention in many ways, eacn not OF
itselt conclusive; but all tending. to the EFT
mate pacific result, Just and honorable to all
interests concerned. The spirit OF al our Scts
hitherto has been an earnest, unEelnsn desire
for peace and prosperity in Cuba. untarnished
~ differences between us and Spain. and un-
stained by the blood of American citizens.
The FOrcible Intervention
- 4+ha Tinted States as a neutral to stop the
vnr. according to the large dictates Of hui
manity and following many historical prece.