Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-15

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 an early day.
They are well summed up in President jack
sons message to Congress Dee. 2l 1886, on
the subject Of the recognition of the indie
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 crown of Portugal and
Spain, out of the separation ofthe American
possessions of both from the European gov
ernments. and out ofthe numerous and con-
stanty occurring struggles for, dominion
in SpanshAmerica, 50 wisely consistent
with our Just principles has been the action
OF our government. that we have, under the
most critical circumstances. avoided all CEN
sure and encountered no other evil than
that produced by a transient estrangement'
of good will in those against whom we have,
by force OF evidence, been compelled to de-
eide.
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 relate to the internal govern
ment OF other nations. and eventually to
recognize the authority of the prevailing
party without reference to our particular
interests and views, or to the merits of the
original controversy.
But on this, as on every other trying oc-
casiOn. safety is to be found in a rigid ad-
herence to 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,
but until the danger of their being again
subiugated had entirely passed away Then,
and not until then were they recognized.
Such was our course in regard to Mexico
herself.
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 newly organized gov
ernment of Texas annihilAted, within its
confines. But on the other hand there is, in
appearance at least, al immense disparity of
physical force on the side of Texas. The
Mexican republic. under another executive,
rallving its forces under new leader, and
menacing fresh invasion to recover its lost
dominion.
II pom the issue of this threatened inva-
sion the independence of Texas may be con-
sidered as suspended; and. We're there moth
ing peculiar in the relative situation of the
United States and Texas, our acknowledge
ment of its Independence at such crisis
could scarcely be regarded as consistent
with that prudent reserve with which we
have hitherto held ourselves bound to treat
all similar questions"
Thereupon Andrew Jackson proceeded to
consider the risk that there might be i'm
puted to the United States motives of sell
fish 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 ofindependence rs 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 recognize the inde-
pendence Of the new government, at 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
to maintain their separate sovereignty,
and to uphold the government constituted
| by them. Neither of the contending parties
can justly complain of this course. BY pur-
suing 1t we are but carrying out the long
established policy of our government, a
policy which has secured to us respect and
influence abroad and inspired confidence a:
home"