Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-12
did set precedent in absolute conflict with
the opinion of President Jackson cited in
the MESA vo1ferdou

did set precedent in absolute conflict with
the opinion of President Jackson cited in
the message yesterday.
In other words, the message cited yes
terday by the present executive from Pres
iccnt jackson was delivered on the 21st of
December. 1886, ard in less than ten weeks
after sending his opinion to Congress he
recognized the independence Of the repub-
lie OF Texas by accrediting ministers to and
receiving ministers from that republic.
Mr.. President. If those who oppose
granting independence to Cuba are to be
governed by precedent, they are welcome
to all the comfort they can get when con-
siderlng the conduct of the United States
toward the republic of Texas"
Recognition by France.
Mr.. Mason referred to the recognition of
American independence by France, and con-
tinued:
But gentlemen will say that the recog-
milton of our independence by France was
In violation of the cruel and musty rules of
international law; that it was an exception
TO the established rule 1t may have been
an exception to the old rule, but every one
OF the 100000 people in America ought to
thank God for the exception.
But gentlemen may say, and truly, per-
maps, that France hated England and loved
us enough to take the chances of war in
that declaration. I answer that the people
OF the United States, in my humble opinion,
since the murders In Cuba of the reconcen-
trados and the murder in Havana harbor of
American citizens, hate Spain and love
Cuba enough to take our chance.
Further on he said:
i do not see how we can be honest and
frank with ourselves, how we can be con-
s1stent with other nations of the world un-
less the first step is to acknowledge the in
dependence of the established government
IN Cuba, government which has sustained
itself for three years against the assaults
of nearly 2O0.OOO Spanish soldiers; a govern
ment that has levied and collected its taxes,
supported its schools, arms, equips and
maintains a standing army, and, better and
above it all, have initiated our fathers in
declaring for independence or DEATH Our
honor and Cuban independence are linked
together forever.
The Maine Disaster.
Referring to the Maine, he said:
"The brilliant orator from Iowa said the
other day In the House that
lowering above the dark waters of that
mysterious harbor of Havana, the black
winged vulture watches for the dead, while
over it and over all there is the eagle
piercing eye sternly watching for the truth.
Mr.. President, Is it to continue to be an
eagle, or is the avarice and greed of the ma
ton to cause 1t to descend and partake of
the vulture's food? Perez, writing to Aran-
guren, said: The Yankees are hogs, and If
you conquered your own dependence they
will absorb you Mr.. President, did he tell
the truth? Mr. President, are we going out
on an errand Of mercy loaded down with
day books and journals?
Are We to forget our citizens VINO went
down In the harbor of Havana in our greed
for gold and territory? Are we to leave the
door open to compel additional terms from
the insurgents who sacrificed their wives,
their children and their homes? Do we
wish special treaties of commerce and leave
the door open for that? Do We wish to re-
lieve some American investors who have
bought Spanish bonds and who wish to
trade them for the bonds of the republic?
Do we, worse still, wish to leave the door
opan to compel those brave men and wo-
men to accept some terms of autonomy or
to pay blood money to the Spaniard or the
shylocks of our own land?'