Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-04-14

disappointing reception by Spain, tn,
executive was brought to the end of hil
effort.
THE NATTER OF RECOGNITION.
In my annual message Of December
Last | said:
"of the untrieJ measures there re.
main only: Recognition of the insur.
gents aH belligsrents; recognition oil
Independence of Cuba; neutral inter
vention to end tho war by imposing Q
rational compromise between the con
tostants, and intervention in favor oi
one or the other party. / speak not Of
forcible annexation, for that cannot be
thought Of. That, by our code OF
morality, would be criminal aggres-
sion.
Thereupon reviewed these alterna-
tives. in that light OF President Grants
measured words, uttered in 1879. who,
after seven years of Ranguinary, dc,
structiye and cruel hostiities in Cuba
rnnched the conclusion that tho recog
milton Of the Independence of Cuba Was
imprncticablu and indefenable; and
that the recognition of belligerents was
not warranted by the facts according to
the tegts Of public law. / commented
especially upon tbs latter aspect of tho
question, pointing out the incon-
venences and nositivo dangers of a
recognition of helligerencs which,
while adding to the already onerous
burdens of neutrality within its own
jurisdiction, it does not in any way
extend our influence or effective offices
in the territory of hostilities
Nothing has since occurred to change
ny view in this regard and recog-
nize Ra fully now, as theu. that the
issuance OF proclamation of neutrality,
by which process the so callad recog-
nitiun of helligsrsnce is published,
could of itself and unattended by other
action, accomplish nothing towarti the
one end for which we labor, the instant
qualification uf Cuba and the cessation
OF misery that alfiicts tho island.
Turning 10 the question OF recog-
ni2ing, al this time, the Independence
of the present insurgeDt government in
Cuba, we find safe precedents 10 our
history from an early day. They are
well summed up in Presidsnt Jackson's
message to Congrsss, December 2lst,
1896, on the subject of the recognition
Of the independence Of Texas. lie said:
In all the contests that have arisen
out OF the revolutions Of France, out
of the disputes relating to the crowns
of Portugal and Spain, out Of the
separation of the American possessions
of both from the European govern
ments, and out of the numerous and
constantly occurring struggles for
dominion in Spanish America, so
wisely consistent with our just prin-
cipes 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 transient
estrangement OF good will in those
against whom we have been by force
of evidence compelled to decide.
1t has thus made known TO the world
that the uniform policy and practice Of
the United States it is to avoid all
interference in disputes which merely
relate to the internal government OF
other nations, and eventually to recog-
nize the authority Of the prevailing
party without reference to our par
ticular interests and views or to the
merits of the original controversy.
But on this, as on every other try
ing occasion, safety is to ba found in a
rigid adherence to principle.
I'm the contest between Spain and
the revolted colonies, we stood aloof
and waited not only until the ability Of
the new States to protect themselves
was fully established, but until tho
danger of their being again subjugated
had entirely passed away. Then, and
not till then, wore 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,
tho chief of the Republic himself can
tured, and all present power to control
the newly organized government of
Texas annihilated within its confines.
But. on the other hand, there is, in ap
Dearance at least, an immense disparity
20 physical force on the side OF Texas.
The Mexican Republic, under another
ia rallying it's forces under
new leader and menaciDg fresh inva-
zion to recover it's lost dominion.
Upon the issue OF this threatened |
nvasion, the independence of Texas
nay be considered as suspended, and |
we're there nothing peculiar in the relu-
i've situation of the United States and |
rsxae, it's acknowledgement OF it's inde-
lendence at such crisis could scarcely |
10 regarded as consistent with that |
prudent reserve with which we have
hitherto held ourselves bound TO treat
III similar questions. -
Thereupon, Andrew Jackson pro-
'eeded to consider the risk that there
night be imputed to the United States
motives Of selfish interest, in view of
he former claim on our part to the ter
faf If f1n
luse of the Texans in seeking recogni-
ion OF independence as an incident to
he incorporation of Texas in the
Jnion; concluding thus:
Prudence, therefore, seems to die
nte that We should still stand aluof
nd maintain our present attitude. il
ot until Mexico itself, or one of the
reat foreign powers shall recognize the
of the new government,
t least until the lanse of time or tho
curse of events shall havs proved be-
ond cavil or dispute ths ability of the
eople of that country TO maintain their
eparate sovereignty and to uphold the
overnment constituted by them.
'either of the contending parties can
ustly complain OF this course. By pur-
uing it, We are but carrying out the
ing established policy of our govern
lont, a policy which has secured to
nis country respect and influence
broad and inspired confidence at
ONE "
These are the words of the resolute
nd patriotic jackson. They are evi-
ence that the Unitsd States, in addi-
ION to the test imposed by public law
, to the conduct of the recognition OF
le independence of a neutral State,
TO wit, that the revolted State shall
constitute in fact body politic. hay ,