The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-14
THE IMPENDING STORM.

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THE IMPENDING STORM.
The action of tho congress Of the United
States in directing Intervention in the
Cuban struggle and declaring for repub-
lie in Cuba will mean war. and the opening
gun may be heard any hour this week,
There will be the rather unusual circum-
stance about this war that it will arise
from the demands of the people and not of
the government. From the morning when
the news was flashed abroad that the Maine
had been destroyed in Havana harbor. war
has seemed certainty. An outraged pub
slaughter Of our eaior5 was a cold bloodod
piece OF foul play, cpnuycd at If not ac-
cumplishcd by Spanish officials. then de-
termncd that Spain should answer fully
for that assault. Every beat of the popular
pulse since that Hateful night in February
has meant terrible reckoning to be ex-
acted from Spain!
Strange TO say, however, there has been
during all this time an element in the
country that has professed not to see that
an insult had been offered this Nation that
admitted neither Of arbitration nor OF
peouniary compensation! So stepped in the
commercial peace-at- auy price policy has
this element been that II was willing 10
overlook one OF The grossest outrages in
history and allow the world to despise our
pusillanimlly, ii only we pursued course
that would not cost us anythng!"
Nor hid the obligations of humanity rest
ing upon us. the protection OF our inter-
esis. nor the ordinary impulses of manhood,
weigh In the minds of this element against
the business view" OF the situation. This
ginius pulchery and insisted upon the gov
eminent taking blood money, IN n paltry
sum, to heal tho wounds that honor feltl"
But the Nation Is to be congratulated
that there Is the right kind of metal in
congress after all--representatiyes who are
capable OF apprcciating an Insult and 70.
sonting an outrage, While AT the same time
recognizing their duty TO their fellow
men under the law of nations, OF humanity
and of common justice,
To hear these 'peaco-a at ny-prico' Chi
nose charaeterlaing the great mass of the
people at this crisis as the irresponsible
rabblun aud reckless jingoes," because in
10 resent blow. is 10 listen to another in-
suit from more contemptible quarter than
Spain.
Who are the people?
Who have the right to shape the policies
OF this government?
Who viii fight the battles and pay for
them?
Not these promoters of trusts and syn
dictates and their toadcs and followers. but
the masses--the men who are urging con-
gress to act today! The bone and siuew.
the bread-winners, these are the people.
and they are the men who are demanding
that Spain shall be driven out of the West
ern hemisphere For once the masses have
taken tho bit in their mouth and brushed
aside the patriots for revenue only,
The example VIII be valuable TO the world
and to future generations in America. 1t
VIII mean that the United States can not
be tritled with nor nsuted With impunity
that our representations to foreign courts
must DO respected. Such an achievement
alone in its influence upon The future Of
this country viii be, oven from "a bust
ness standpoint. worth all that war vii,
cost.