f Cuba and the cessation of the misery that afflicts 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 summed up in President
Jackson's message to Congress, December 21, 1836, on the subject of the
recognition of the independence of Texas. He 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 revolutionary movements of those Kingdoms, out of the separation
of the American possessions of both from the European Governments, and
out of the numerous and constantly occurring struggles for dominion in
Spanish 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 a transient estrangement of good will in those against
whom we have been by force of evidence compelled to decide.

It has thus been made known to the world that the uniform policy and
practice of the United States is to avoid all interference in disputes
which merely relate to the internal government of other nations, and
eventually to recognize 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 trying occasion safety is to be found in
a rigid adherence to principle.

In the contest between Spain and her revolted 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 subjugated had entirely passed away. Then, and not till then, were
they recognized. Such was our course in regard to Mexico herself. * * *
It is true that, with regard to Texas, the civil authority of Mexico has
been expelled, its invading army defeated, the chief of the Republic
himself captured, and all present power to control the newly organized
Government of Texas annihilated within its confines. But, on the other
hand, there is, in appearance at least, an immense disparity of physical
force on the side of Mexico. The Mexican Republic under another
Executi