La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-04-16

/ Now, m then. annexation ls not to be
thought of. II IN recognized fully that
n declaration OF neutrality. by which
belligercncy would be recognized,
would OF itself accomplish nothing"
Turning to the question OF recogniz-
ing mt this time the Independence Of
the present insurgent government In
Cuba we find safe precedenfs In our
own history from IN early day. They
are well summed up In President
Jackson's message 10 Congress. De-
ccmber 81, 1896. ON the subject OF the
recognition OF the Independence Of
Texas. He said:
I'm all the contests that have arisen
out OF the revolutions Of France. out
Of the disputes relating to the crews OF
Portugal and Spain. out Of the separsi-
ton OF the American possessions OF
both from the European governments,
and out of the numerous and constant
ly occurring struggles for dominion in
Spanish America. 10 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 n
transient re-estrangement OF good will
In those against whom we have been
by force OF evidence compelled
10 decide. 1t hns thus been
made known to the world that the
uniform policy and practice OF the
United States Is to avoid all interfer-
ence in disputes which merely relate
to the international government OF
other nations and eventually to recog-
nize the authority OF the prevailing
party without reference TO our partic-
ular interests and views or to the mer-
lis OF the original controversy. But in
this, ns in every other occasion safety
is to be found In rigid adherence to
principle.
''In the contest between Spain and
the revolving colonies we stood aloof
and waited not only until the ability OF
the new states to protect themselves
was fully established, but until the dan
ger OF their being again subjuga,ed
had passed away. Then and not until
then were they recognized. Such was
our course In regard TO Mexico herself
ut Is true that with regard to Texas
the civil authority OF Mexico had 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 mp
penrance. Mt least. an immense dispari-
ty OF physical force on the side OF Tex
as. The Mexican republic under an
executive is allylng Its forces under n
new leader and menacing n fresh inva-
sion to recover its lost domain.
Upon the issue Of this threatened
invasion the independence OF Texas
hsa nnnSiInraI aa SvsrnuIaI MI
We're there nothing peculiar in the sit
uation of the United States and Texas.
our Acknowledgements OF its indepen-
dence at such crisis could scarcely be
regarded as consistent with that prtl-
dent reserve with which we have hith-
eric held ourselves bound to treat all
similar questions"
Thereupon Andrew Jackson proceed
ed 10 consider the risk that there might
be Imputed to the United States mo-
tives of selfish interests in view Of the
former claim on our part TO the terri
tory Of Texas and Of the avowed pur-
pose OF the Texans In seeking recogni-
tion Of Independence ms an Incident to
the incorporation OF Texas in the un-
ion, concluding thus
Prudence, therefore. seems to die
tate that we should stand aloof and
maintain our present attitude. II not
until Mexico itself. or one of the great
foreign powers shall recognize the indie
pendence OF the new government. at
least until the lapse OF time or the
course OF events shall hnve 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 contendlng parties can
justly complain Of this course. BY pur-
| suing 1t, we are carrying out the long
established policy of our government,
a policy which has secured to us re-
spect and influence abroad and in
spired confidence nj home"
These are the words OF the resolute
and patriotic Jackson. They are evil
| dence that the United States, in addi-
ton to the test imposed by public law
as the condition of the recognition Of
Independence by n neutral state, to-
wit: that the revolted state shall CON
stitute In fact II body polite. having n
government In substance as well us in
name, possessed OF the elements OF
stability" and forming de facto, 'if left
to itself. n state among the nations,
| reasonably capable of dIscharging the
| duties Of a state'-has imposed for It's
own gOyernance In dealing with cases
like these the further condition that
recognition of Independent statehood IL
not due to revOlted dependency until
the danger of Its being again subju-
gated by the parent state Inns entirely
| passed away. This extreme test was,
| In fact, applied in the case Of Texas.
| The Congress TO whom President Jack
son referred the question rs zone prob
ably leading to war;" and therefore a
| proper subject for II previous under
| standing with that body by whom war
alone can be declared. and by whom all
the provisions for sustaining it's perils
must be furnished" left the matter of
| recognition Of Texas to the discretion
Of the executive. providing merely for
| the sending Of diplomatic agent when
the President should be satisfied that