The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-12

10 the internal government OF other ma
lions. and eventually TO recognize the
authority OF the prevailing party without
reference 10 our particular interests and
views or 10 the merits OF the original
controversy.
But on this. as on every other trying
occasion. safety is to be found In
rigid adherence to principle.
"In the contest between Spain and the
rovolted colonies we stood aloof and
waited not only until the ability OF the
new States 10 protect themselves was
fully established. but until the danger OF
their being again subjugated had enureN
passed away. Then. and not until then
90, hey recognized. Such was our
course in r. ard 10 Mexico herself
ADVANCED STAGE.
1T IS true that with regard TO Texas
the civil authorities of Mexico had been
expelled. its invading army defeated the
chief Of the republic himself captured
and all present power TO control tho
newly organized government OF leAas
annihilated within its confines
But. on the other hand, there is. In APP
rearance at least, an immense disparity
Of physical force on the side OF Texas
The Mexican republic, under anothef IN
ecutive. Is rallying it, forces under new
leader and menacing fresh INVASION 10
recover It's lost dominion.
Upon the issue Of this threatened IN
vaslon the independence OF Texas may
be considered as suspended; ana We're
there nothing peculiar IN the relative
situation OF tho United states ana IeN's'
our acknowledgment Of its independence
nj such a crisis can scarcely be regarded
as consistent with that prudent reserve
with which We have hitherto held our
selves bound TO treat all similar ques-
lions"
Thereupon Andrew jackson proceeded
to consider the risk that would be i'm
puted 10 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 indie
pendence as an incident 10 the incorpora-
ton of Texas in the Union, concluding
thus:
PART OF PRUDENCE.
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 tho great foreign
powers shall recognize the independence
Of the new government az least until the
lapse of time or the course Of events
shall have proved beyond Cavil or dis
pute the ability Of the people OF That
country 10 maintain their separate SOW
ereignty and 10 uphold the government
constituted by them Neither OF the con-
tending parties can justly complain OF
this course. BY pursuing it we are but
carrying out the long established policy
Of our governmental policy that has Sc
cured 20 us respect and influence abroad
a
FIXED POLICY.
These are the words of the resoiute
and patriotic Jackson. They are evidence
that the United states !n addition 10 the
test imposed by public law as The condi-
lion of the recognition OF independence
ov a nuetral State. 60 wit-that the re-
VOTED state shall constitute IN fact a
body polite, having a government ~ SUD
stance as well as In name possessed OF
the elements Of stability and forming de
facto. # let to itself. d State among
the nations. reasonably capable OF dis
charging the duties OF a state. Has
imposed for its own goverance In dealing
With cases like these the further cond'-
ton that recognition Of independent
statehood is not due to a revolted de-
tendency until the danger OF its beng
again subiugated by the parent state has
was IN fact applied in the case OF Texas.
The Congress to whom President Jackson
referred the question al one, probably
leading 10 war and therefore a proper
subjeCu for n previous understanding
with that body by whom war can alone
be declared. and by whom al the provis-
ions Cor sustaining its perlls must be FUR
nished, left the matter Of the recognition
of Texas TO the discretion az the eNecu-
tive providing merely for the sending Of
a diplomatic agent when the President
should be satisfied that the republic Of
Texas had become "an independent
State"
II was so recognized by President Van
Buren, who commissioned d charge d.
affaires March 2. 1897. after Mexico had
abandoned an attempt 10 recouquer the
-exan territory and when there was at
the time no bona iide contest going ON
between the insurgcnt province and its
former sovereign.
/ said In my message OF December last:
ct is 10 be seriously considered whether
the Cuban Insurgents possess beyond dis
pute the attributes of statehood which
alone can demand the recognition or oel-
ugerency I'm 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 applied 10 the greater act than
10 the lesser: while on the other hand the
influences and consequences of the stfus-
gle upon the internal policy Of the rccog-
nizing State which form important fac
tors when the recognition OF belligerency
IS concerned. are secondary, II not rightly
eliminable from the factors when the
question IS whether a community claim
ing recognition is or is not independent
beyond peradveLture.
sNE%PEDIENT.
Nor from the standpoint Of eXpedienco
do | think IL would De wise or prudent
for this government 10 recognize at the
present time tho Independence OF the
so-caHed Cuban republic. Such recogni-
ton is not necessary in order 10 enable
the United States 20 intervene and paciiN
the island. To commit this country now
10 the recognition OF any particular gov
crnment in Cuba might subject US to enc
barrassing conditions of international
obligations toward the organization so
recognized. In case OF Intervention our
conduct would be subjected TO the ape
prOval or disapproval Of such govern
meut. we would DO required TO submit
10 its direction and 10 assume 20 IL the
mere relation Of a friendly ally. When
II shall appear hereafter that there Is
within the island a government capable
OF performing the duties and discharging
the functions OF o separate nation, and
having as a matter Of fact the proper