The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-12


that the issuance OF a proclamation of
neutrality. by which process the So
called recognition OF belligerency Is pub
lished. could OF itself and unattended
BY other action. accomplish nothing to-
ward the one end for which we labor.
the instant pacification of Cuba and the
cessation OF the misery that afIiicts the
island.
Turning TO the question Of recognizing
at this time the' independence OF the
present insurgent government In Cuba.
We find safe precedents I'm our history
from an early day. They are well
summed UP In President Jackson's mes
sage to congress. Dec. 21. 1886. on the
subject OF the recognition OF the inde-
pendence OF Texas. He said "In all the
contests that have arisen out of the
revolution of France, out Of the dis
putes relating TO the crowns 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 occurring
struggles for dominion in Spanish Amer
Tea. SO wisely consistent with our Just
principles has been the action Of our
government. that we have, under the
most critical circumstances, avoided
all censure and encountered no other
evil than that produced by a transient
estrangement OF good will in those
against whom we have. by force of evil
dence, been compelled to decide.
IL has thus made known to the world
that the uniform policy and practice
OF the United States is to avoid all In
reference in disputes which merely re-
late TO the internal government OF other
nations and eventually TO recognize the
authority of the prevailing party, with
out reference TO our particular interests
and views. or to the merits Of the orig
inal controversy.
But on this, as on every other trying
occasion, safety is to be found In a rigid
adherence to principle.
I'm the contest between Spain and the
revoited colonies. We 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 en-
tirely passed away. Then and not until
then. were they recognized. Such was
our course in regard to Mexico herself.
1T 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
newly organized government OF Texas
annihilated within its confines. But. on
the other hand. there In. in appearance,
at least. an immense disparity OF physi-
cal force Oh the side OF Texas. The Mexi-
can republic. under another executive,
Is railying its forces under a new leader
and menacing a fresh invasion to- re-
cover it's lost dominion.
Upon the issue of this threatened in
vasion, the independence OF Texas may
be considered as suspended; and. were
their nothing peculiar in the relative
situation OF the United States and Texas,
our acknowledgment OF It's independence
at such q crisis could scarcely be regard
cd as consistent with that prudent re-
serve with which we have hitherto held
ourselves bound to treat all similar
question:
rhereupon Andrew Jackson proceed
ed TO consider the risk that there might
he imputed TO the United States motives
OF selfish interest, In view OF the former
claim on our part To the territory of Tex
as and OF the avowed purpose Of the
Texans in seeking recognition of inde-
peEdence as an incident to the incorpor-
alton OF Texas In the Union. concluding
thus: Prudence. therefore. seems to
dictate that We should still stand aloof
and maintain our present attitude IL not
until Mexico itself, or one Of the great
foreign powers. shall recognize the In
dependence OF the new government. at
least until the lapse Of time or the course
,f 20 eho - IN
or 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 contending parties can justly COM
plain OF this course. BY pursuing IL we
are but carrying out the long established
policy OF our government, policy which
has secured to us respect and influence
abroad and inspired confidence at
home.''
These are the words of the reso-
lutte and patriotic Jackson. They are
evidence that the United States, in ad-
dition to the test imposed by public law
~ the condition OF the recognition OF in
dependence by a neutral state (to wit.
that the revolted state) constitute in
fact body polite, having government
In substance as well as in name. pos
sessed of the 1cmcnts of stability" and
forming, de facto. ''if left to itself. q
state among nations, reasonably capable
OF discharging the duties of a state"
has imposed for its own governance in
dealing with cases like these the further
condition that recognition Of independ-
ent statehood is not due to q revolted
dependency until the danger Of its be-
Ing again subjugated by the parent state
has entirely passed away. This extreme
test was. In fact, applied in the state Of
Texas. the congress. TO which President
Jackson referred the question, as one
probably leading to war. and, therefore.
a proper subject for "a previous under
stand with that body, by whom war can
alone be declared. and by whom all the
provisions for sustaining It's perils must
be furnished" left the matter of the
recognition Of Texas to the discretion Of
the executive, providing merely for the
sending Of a diplomatic agent when the
president should be satisfied that the
republic OF Texas had become IAN inde-
pendent state" II was so recognized
y.