The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1898-04-15

ring struggles for dominion IN Spanish Amer
lea SC wisely consistent with our Just principles
has been the action Of Cur government that We
have, under the most critical circumstances,
avoided al censure and encountered no other
evil than that produced by transient estrange-
ment OF good viii In those against whom we
have been BY force Of evidence compelled 70
decide It has thus made known 20 the world
that the uniform policy and practice Of the
United States IS 20 avoid all interference
In disputes which merely relate 20 the internal
government Of other nations and eTentu-
| ally 70 recognize the authority Of the pre-
Failfng party without reference 70 our particular
interests and views Or 70 th9 merits Of the orig
tnal controversy, but On this, as on every other
occasion safety is 70 be found In rigid adher-
/ ence to principle
IN the contest between Spain and the revolt
ed colonies we stood alooi and waited not only
until the ability Of the new states 70 protect
themselves was fully established but until ths
danger OF their being again suBjugated had en-
tirely passed away Then, and not until then,
were they recognized Such was our course in
regard 90 Mexico herself
Andrew jackson on Texas
1T IS true that with regard to Texas the civil
authority Of Mexico has been expelled its in
Fading army defeated the chief Of the republic
himself captured and all present power 70 con-
sole the newly organized government Of to
days auuihilatsd within its confines But, on
the other hand. there is in appearance at least.
an immense disparity OF physical force on the
I another executive is rallTing &c forces under
new leader and menacing a fresh invasion 20
recover its lost domain
Upon the issue Of this threatening invasion,
the independence Of Texas may be considered
as suspended. and were there nothing peculiar
in the situation Of the United States and Texas,
our acknoEIedEemeut OF its independence at
such a crisis could scarcely be regarded as
consistent with that prudent reserve with
which we have hitherto held ourselves bound
70 treat all similar Questions
Thereup0n Andrew Jackson proceeded to con-
slider the risk that there might be imputed to
the United States motives Of selfish interests
in view OF the former claim on our part OF the
territory Of Texas and Of the avoHed purpose
Of the Texans in seeking recognition OF indie
pendence as an Incl lent to thu Incorporation Of
Texas in the union, concluding thus:
Prudence therefore. seems 60 dictate
and maintain our present attitude, il
not until Mexico itself OF one Of the great for
eign powers shall recognize the independence
Of the new government a. least until the lapse
OF time or the course Of events shall have
proved beyond cavii OF dispute the ability Of
the people Of that country to maintain their
separate sovereignty and to uphold the govern
ment constituted by them Neither Of the con-
tending parties can justly complain Of this
course By pursuing It we are but carrying
out the congratulated policy Of cur govern
ment, policy which has secured respect and
influence abroad and inspired eOnhdencs at
home"
These are the words Of the resoIute and
patriotic Jackson They are evidence that the
United States, in addition to the test imposed
by public law as the condition OF the recogni-
ton Of independence by a neutral state CtO-wit
that The reYoited state shall constitute in fact
. q body polite. having a government in sub
stance as well as in name, possessed Of the ele-
ments Of stability and forming de factO. If
left to Itself, q state amOng the nations, rea-
sOrably capable Of discharginZ the duties % .
80 81
test going On between the insurgent province
and its former sovereign
sail In my message Of December last. 1T
IS 10 be seriously considered whether the Gu
ban insurrectiOn possesses beyond dispute the
attributes Of statehood. which alone can de-
mand the recognition Of belligerency in its
favor" The same requirement must certainly
be no less seriously considered when the
I graTer Issue Of recognizing independence IS in
question, for no less positive test can be ap-
while on the other hand the influences and
consequences Of the struggle upon the internal
/ policy Of the recognizing state. which form i'm
I portant factors when the recognition OF bellig-
I erency IS concerned. are secondary, II not
rightly elimfnable factors when the real Ques-
I ton IS whether the community claiming recOg-
milton is OF is not Independent beyond perad-
venture
Averse to Recognition.
Nor from the standpoint Of expediencs do
I think IL would be wise OF prudent for this gov
] eminent TO recognize at the present time the
I independence OF the sO-called Cuban republic.
[ Such recognition is not necessary in order 20
] enable the United States to intervene and
pacify the island To commit this country now
I TO the recognition Of any particular govern
meut in Cuba, might subject US TO embarrassing
] conditions Of international obligation toward
I the organization so recognized In case Of
intervention, our conduct would be subject TO
I the approval or disapproval Of such govern
ments we would be required 20 submit 20 its
direction and to assume 70 IL the mere relation
Of a friendly repsy. When ft shall appear
hereafter that there is within the island a gov
ment capable Of performing the duties and dis
charging the functions Of a nation. and having.
as matter OF fact, the proper forms and at
tributes Of nationality, such government can be
promptly and readily recognized, and the rela-
tiOns and interests OF the United States with
such nation adjusted There remain the al
Tentative forms OF Intervention to end the war.
either as an impartial neutral By imposing
{ rational compromise between the contestants,
or as an active ally Of the one party OF the
other.
As to the first. It is not to be forgotten that
during the last few months the relation TO the
United States has virtually been one Of friend
" Intervention IN many ways, each not Of Itself
not conclusive. but all tending TO the eLertion
Of potential influence toward an ultimate pa
Cifc result just and honorable 70 all interests
concerned The spirit Of all our acts hitherto
has been an earnest unse- fish desire for peace
.
ences between rs and Spain and uastainsd b.
the blood Of American citizens
The forcfble intervention OF the United
States as neutral 20 stop the war, according
60 the large dictates Of humanity and following
many historical prsced snts where neigbb0ring
states have intsrferei 70 check the hopeless
sacrifice Of life By iuterneCine conflicts beyond
their borders. is justihable on national grounds
II involves. however. hostile cOnssraint uoon
both the parties 70 the o ltest as well as to en-
force truce IS 70 gu le the eventual settle
msnG
Grounds for Intervention
The grounds for such Intervention may be
( briefly summarized as follows
First-In the cause OF humanity and to put
an end % the barbarities, bloOdshed, starva-
ton and horrible miseries now existing there,
and which The parties to the conflict are either
unable OF unwilling 70 stop OF mitigate II is
no answer 10 say this IS al in another country.
I belonging 70 another nation, and is therefore
n ne OF our business It IS specially our duty
for it is right At our door
Secoud-VTe owe it 70 our citizens in Cuba
10 afford them thar protection and indemnity
for life and property which no governments
there can or VIII afford. and 10 that end 20 ter
inmate the conditions that deprive them OF L.
gal protection
Thirl-The right 10 intervene nay be Justf-
fed by the very serious injury 70 the commerce.
trade and business % our people and bT the