The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-04-13

Upon 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 oil the
United States and Texas, our acknowledgment
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 selfish
interest in view of the former claim on our
part to the territory OF Texas and OF the
avowed purpose of the Texans i'll seeking
recognition of independence as an incident to
the incorporation OF Texas in the union; con-
cluding thus: Prudence, therefore, seems to
dictate that we should still stand aloot and
maintain our present attitude, If not until
Mexico itself, or one OF the greatest foreign
powers shall recognize the independence OF
the new government, at least until the lapse
OF time or the course OF events shall have
proved beyond cavil or dispute the ability OF
the people of that country to maintain their
separate sovereignty and to uphold the gov
ernment constituted by them. Neither OF the
contending parties can justly complain OF TINS
course. By pursuing it, we are but carrying
out the long established policy of our govern
ment, policy which has secured to us respect
and influence abroad and inspired confidence
at home"
These are the words Of the resolute and
patriotic Jackson. They are evidence that
imposed by the public law as the condition
OF the recognition OF independence by neu.
trail state Oo-wit that the revolted state shall
constitute in fact body polite, having
government in substance well as in name,
possessed OF the elements of stability" and
forming dc facto "if left to itself, state among
the nations, reasonably capable of discharging
the duties of stated; has imposed for its
| these the further condition that recognition OF
| independent statehood is not due to revoted
dependency until the danger OF its being
| again subjugated by the parent state has en-
| tirely passed away. This extreme test was IN
| fact applied in the case of Texas. The
\ congress to whom President Jackson referred
the question as one probably leading to war"
and therefore proper subject tor "a previous
understanding with that body by whom war
can alone be declared, 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 merely for the sending of diplo'
matte agent when the president should be
satisfied that the republic OF Texas had become
AR independent state" 1t was SO recognized
| by President Van Buren, who commissioned
/ charge daffaires March Z, 1887, after Mexico
| had abandoned an attempt to reconqucr the
| TSxan territory, and when there was at the
| time no bona hde contest going on between
the insurgent province and its former SOW
elgn.
/ said in my message of December last:
at is to be seriously considered whether
, the Cuban nsurrection possesses beyond dis.
pute the attributes OF statehood which alone
| can demand the recognition OF beigerency in
| its favor"
The same requirements must certainly be no
less seriously considered when the graver is
sus of recognizing independence is in question
| for no less positive test can be applied to the
| greater act than to the lesser; while on the
other hand the influences and consequences OF
the struggle upon the internal policy of the
recognizing state, which form important fac
,tha tla Of halto tc
concerned are secondary, if not rightly elimi-
nable factors when the real question is
whether the community claiming recognition
is or is not independent beyond peradventure.
Nor from the standpoint OF expedience do
| / think it would be wise or prudent for this
government to recognize at the present time
the independence of the so-called Cuban repub
lie. Such recognition is not necessary in order
| to enable the United States to intervene and
pacify the island. To commit this country
now to the recognition of any particular gov
ernment in Cuba might subject us
to embarrassing conditions OF international
| obligation towards organization so recognized
In case of Intervention our conduct would be
subject to the approval or dsapproval Of such
government; we would be required to submit
to its direction and to assume to it the mere
relation OF friendl all. When it shall appear
hereafter that there is within the island gov
ernment capable of performing the duties anc
discharging the functions OF a separate nation
and having as a matter OF fact the propei
ernment can be promptly and readily recog
nized and the relations and interests OF the
United States with such nation adjusted.
There remain the alternative forms of inter
Vention to end the war, either as an impair
tial neutral by imposing rational compromise
between the contestants, or as the active ally
of the one party or the other.
AS to the first it is not to be forgotten thai
during the last few moths, the relation of the
United States has virtually been one OF friend
ly Intervention in many ways, each not OF it
self conclusive, but all tending to the exer
ton of a potential influence toward an ulti
mate pacific result just and honorable to al
interests concerned. The spirit OF all oui
acts hitherto has been an earnest, unsclhsl
desire for peace and prosperity in Cuba, untar
nished by differences between us and Spair
and unstained by the blood of American citi
zens.
The forcible intervention OF the United
States as neutral to stop the war, according
to the large dictates of humanity and follow
/ ing many historical presidents where neigh
boring states have interfered to check tht
hopeless sacrifices Of life by nternecne con
licts beyond their borders, is justifable or
rational grounds 1t involves, however, hos
| tile constraint upon both the parties to tn,
contest as well TO enforce truce as to guild
the eventual settlement.
The grounds for such Intervention may b,
briefly summarized as follows:
!. In the cause OF humanity and to pu
an end to the barbarites, bloodshed star
walton and horrible miseries now existing
there, and which the parties to the contiic
are either unable or unwilling to stop o
mitigate. 1t is no answer to say this is al
in another country, belonging to anothe
nation, and is therefore none OF our business
1t is specially our duty, for it is right at ou
door,
@ We owe it to our citizens in Cuba t,
afford, them that protection and indemnit!
there can or will afford, and to that end t
terminate the conditions that deprive them o
legal protection.
by the very serious injury to the commerce
trade and business OF our people and by tn
wanton destruction OF property and devasta
tion OF the island
A. And which is of the utmost importance
The present condition of affairs in Cuba is
constant menace to our peace and entails upo
this government an enormous expense. Wit
such a conflict waged for years in an islan
so near us and with which our people hav
such trade and business relations--when tn
lives and liberty OF our citizens are in constan
danger and their property destroyed and them
selves ruined-where our trading vessels ar
liable to seizure and are seized at our yer
door by warships OF a foreign nation, tn
expeditions OF ilibusterng that we are power
; less to prevent altogether, and the irritating
| questions and entanglements thus arising-a
these and others that | need not mention, wit
menace to our peace and compel us to kee
, on scmi.war footing with a nation wit
which we are at peace.
These elements OF danger and disorde
already pointed out have been strikingl
illustrated by tragic event which has deepl
/ and Justly moved the American people
have already transmitted to congress the r,
port of the naval court of inquiry on tn
destruction of the battleship Maine in tn
harbor OF Havana during the night of Februar
Is. The destruction Of that noble vessel ha
filled the national heart with inexpressibl
| horror. Two hundred and hfty-eight brav
| enil nj oti
navy reposing in the fancied security of
friendly harbcr. have been hurled to deatl
grief and want brought to their homes and sol
, row to the nation.