The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-12

erence IS published, could, OF Itself anu
unattended by other action. accomplish
nothing toward the one end for which
we labor. the instant pacification Of Gu
ba and the cessation of the misery that
| af1lictS the island.
! 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 sum
med up in President Jacksons message
| to Congress. December y, 1886. on the
| subject of the recognition of the indie
/ pendence of Texas. He said:
| I'm all the contests that have arisen
out of the revolution of France, out OF
| the disputes relating to the crowns OF
Portugal and Spain, out of the separa.
| ton of the American possessions Of both
| from the Eropean governments, and
| out of the numerous and constantly oc-
curing struggle for dominion in Span
ish America, 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 transient
against whom we have been. by force of
evidence compelled to decide.
FROM JACKSON'S MESSAGE.
1T has thus made known to the
world that the uniform policy and prac-
tice of the United States is to avoid all
interference in disputes. which merely
relate to the internal government
other nations, and eventually to recog-
nize 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
occasion, safety is to be found in a rigid
adherence to principle.
In the contest between Spain and the
reyolted 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 en-
tirely passed away. Then, and not until
then, were they recognized. Such was
our course in regard to Mexico her
self s.
1T is true that with regard to Texas
the civil authorities of Mexico has been
expelled. its invading army defeated,
the chief of the republic himself cap
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 APP
pearance at least, an immense disparity
of physical force on the side of Texas.
The Mexican republic under another
Executive is rallying its forces under
new leader, and menacing a fresh inva-
sion to recover its lost dominion.
Upon the issue of this threatened in
vasion, the independence of Texas may
be considered as suspended; and were
there nothing peculiar in the relative
situation of the United States and
Texas, our acknowledgement of its in
dependence at such crisis could scarce
ly be regarded as consistent with that
prudent reserve with which we have
hitherto held ourselves bound TO treat
all similar questions"
Thereup0n Andrew Jackson proceeded
to consider the risk that there might be
imputed to the United States motives
of selfish interests in view of the form
er claim on our part to the territory of
Texas. and of the ayowed purpose of
the Texans in seeking recognition of in
dependence as an incident to the incor-
poration Of Texas in the union; conclud-
ing thus:
THE TEXAS PRECEDENT
Prudence, therefore, seems to dictate
that we should still stand alo0f and
maintain our present attitude, if not
until Mexico itself, or one of the great
fap chs IN,
dependence of the new government, at
least until the lapse of time or the
course of events shall have proved be-
yond cavil or dispute 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 it, we are but carrying out the
long established policy of our govern
ment. n policy which mas secured to us
respect and influence abroad, and in
spired confidence ut home"
These are the words of the resolute|
and patriotic Jackson. They are evil
dences that the United States. in add-
tion to the test imposed by public law.
as to the condition of the recognition of
independence DV II neutral STATE, ito Wit,
that the reyolted State shall constitute
in fact body polite, having n govern
ment in substance, as well as in name,
possessed of the elements of stabiIity,'')
and forming De Facto, Gf left to itself,
a state among the nations, reasonably
capable of discharging the duties of a
State; has imposed for its own govern
ment in dealing with cases like these,
the further condition that recognition OF
statehood is not due to re-
VOTED dependency until the danger Of
its being again subjugated by the parent
State has entirely 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 a proper subject for
IA province understanding with that
body, by whom war can alone be de-
clared, and by whom all the provisions
for sustaining its perils must be furnish
ed left the matter of the recognition
of Texas TO the discretion of the Exc
cutive, providing merely for the sending
Of diplomatic agent, when the Presi-
dent should be satisfied that the republic