The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1898-04-21
Thereupon reviewed these alterna-

reached the conclusion that the recogni-
ton of the independence of Cuba was i'm
practicable and indefensible; and that the
recognition of belligerence was not war
ranted by the facts, according TO the tests
of public law. | commented especially
upon the latter aspect of the question,
pointing out the Inconvenience and posi-
| tive dangers of n recognition of bellgar-
ency which. while adding To the already
onerous burdens of neutrality within our
! own jurisdiction, could not in any way
extend our influence or effective offices III
the territory of hostilites.
| Nothing has since occurred to change
my view in this regard-and | recognize
| as fully now as then that the issue of
proclamation of neutrality, by which
process the so-called recognition of bel
| ligerence is published could, of itself and
unattended by other action. accomplish
nothing toward the one end for which we
labor, the instant pacifcation of Cuba
and the cessation of the misery that af-
| hicts the island.
| Jackson on Recognition.
Turning to the question of recognizing at
this time the independence of the present
| insurgent government in Cuba, we find safe
precedents in our history from early
| day. They are well summed up In President
| Jackson's message TO Congress Dec 81 1886
pendence Of Texas. He said: I'm ali the
| contests that have arisen out of the revolu-
| tlons OF France. out of the disputes relating
| 10 the crews of Portugal and Spain, out of
| the separation of the American possessions
Of both from the European governments and
| out OF the numerous and constantly occur
| ring struggles for dominion In Spanish Amer
| lea, wisely consistent with our just prin-
| ciDles has been the action of our govern
| ment that we have, under the most critical
| circumstances, avoided all censure and
| countered no other evil than that produced
| by transient estrangement of good will in
| those against whom we have been by force
of evidence compelled to decide.
at has thus made known to the world that
| the uniform policy and practice of the Uni
| ted States is to avoid all interference in dis
| putes which merely relate to the internal
| government of other nations and eventually
| to recognize the authority of the prevailing
party without reference 10 our particular in
terests and views as to the merits of the
original controversy.
"But on this as on every other trying
| occasion, safety is to be found in a rigid ad-
| herence to principle.
'In the contest between Spain and the re-
| volted colonies stood aloof and waited.
not only until the ability of the new States
| to protect themselves was fully established.
but until the danger OF their being again
| subjugated had entirely passed away. Then,
| and not until then, were they recognized.
Such was our course in regard to Mexico her
| self.
Case Of Texas.
at 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 captured and all present
| power to control the new!y-organized gov
| ernment annihilated within its confines.
| But, on the other hand. there Is. In appear
| ance at least, an immense disparity of physi-
| cal force on the side Of Texas. The Mexican
| republic, under another executive, Is rally
I'M re fprnaS nnAa "a naty on
| acing fresh invasion to recover its lost do
| minion.
"Upon the issue of this threatened invasion
| the independence Of Texas may be consid-
| cred as suspended; and were there nothing
| peculiar In the situation of the United States
| and Texas our acknowledgment of its indie
| pendence at such crisis could scarcely be
| regarded as consistent with that prudent re-
| serve with which we have hitherto held our
| selves bound TO treat all similar questions.
Thereupon Andrew Jackson proceeded to
| consider the risk that there might be Inn
| puted 10 the United States motives OF selfish
| interest In view of the former claim on our
part to the territory of Texas and OF the
| avowed purpose Of the Texans in seeking rec
| ognition of independence as an incident TO
the incorporation OF Texas in the Union, con-
| Guiding 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 rec
"
| ment, at least until the lapse of time or the
| course Of events shall have proved beyond
cavi or dispute the ability OF the people of
that country to maintain their separate SOW
erelgnty and TO uphold the government con-
stituted by them. Neither of the contending
parties can justly complain of this course.
By pursuing ii we are but carrying out the
long-esteblished policy of our government
policy which has secured to us respect and
Influence abroad and inspired confidence at
home"
Test of Independence.
These are the words of the resoute and
patriotic Jackson. They are evidence that
the United States, In addition to the test i'm
posed by public law as the condition of the
recognition of Independence by neutral
state Ito wit. that the revolted states shall
constitute in fact body polite, having
| government In substance as well as IL name.
| possessed OF the e.eItecters of stability, and
| forming &c tecto, 'if left TO itself, state
| among the nations reasonably capable OF
| discharging the duties of state'D has i'm
posed for Its own grievance in dealing with
cases like these the further condition that
| recognition Of Independent statehood Is not
| due to 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 10 whom President
| Jackson referred the question as one prob
| ably leading to war;, and therefore proper
| subject for previous understanding with
| that body by WDOm war can alone De ue-
| clared, and by whom all the provisions for
| sustaining its perils must be furnished left
| the matter of the recognition of Texas TO the
| discretion of the executive, providing mere
ly for the sending of diplomatic agent
| when the President should be satisfied that
| the republic of Texas had become IAN inde-
pendent state"
1t was SO recognized by President Van
| Buren,, who commissioned a charge daft
| faires March T. 1897, after Mexico had aban-
| dpppI ntfpmnt rpcpQCuer the IeZlQ
| territory and when there was at the time
| no bona fite contest going on between the
| lnsurgent province and Its former sovereign.
Grant Favored intervention.
President Grant, In 1875, after discussing
the phases of the contest as it then appeared
| and Its hopeless and apparent indefinite pro-
| longation, said:
| "In such event | am of opinion that other
nations will be compelled TO assume the re-
! sponsiblity which devolves upon them, and
! 10 seriously consider the only remaining
| measures possible, mediation and interyen-
tion. Owing, perhaps, to the large expanse
| of water sep rating the island from the
peninsula, the contending parties appear to
| have within themselves no depository of
| common confidence, to suggest wisdom when
| passion and excitement have their sway
| and assume the part of peacemaker.
| SIN this view, In the earlier days of the
| contest, the good offices of the United States
| as mediator were rendered In good faith,
| NIluouL my stlhsu uippst, III lut interest
of humanity and in sincere friendship for
both parties. but were at the time declined
| by Spain with the declaration nevertheless
| that at a future time they would be indispen-
| sable. No intmat!on has been received that
| in the opinion of Spain that time has been
| reached. And yet the strife continues with
| all Its dread horrors and all Its injuries TO
| the interest of the United States and of
other nations. Each party seems quite capa-
bic of working great injury and damage to
| the other. as well as to all.the relations and
| interests dependent on the existence of
peace in the island; but they seem Incapable
of reaching any adjustment and both have
| thus far failed of achieving any success.
| whereby one party shall possess and control
| the Island to the exclusion of the other
| Under the circumstances, the agency of
others. either by mediation or by interveu-
| ton. seems TO be the only alternative which
| must, sooner or later, be invoked for the
| termination of the strife
Quotes Grover Cleveland.
In the last annual message of my immedi-
ate predecessor during the pending struggle
| Ii was said:
"When the inability of Spain to deal sue
| fnIIy ha iDS tinr ln..