The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-16
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10.
i. TEN PAGES TO-DAY.
PARTY DECAY AND INCONSISTENCY.


What change in republication in the
past quarter of century, Back in the
days of Charles Sumner there was some
reverence left in the party for the consti-
tuition. Such thing AZ Imperialism was
not dreamed of and the republic under
Grant was pursuing peacefully its ancient
policies, although within the government
was corrupt, as It has always been under
republican rule.
The present troubles in San Domingo
and the talk of our possible seizure OF the
island under the guise of a peace maker,
recall the great struggle between Grant
and eminent leaders of his party over the
proposition to purchase SANTANA bay in
the island of San Domingo in the seven
ties. Grant did not want to branch out, !"
as the good man Mckinley does, He did
not believe in putting people in subsection
to us through reckless spirit Of con-
quest. He was not attempting to go be-
You'd our legitimate sphere of action He
simply, as a military man, recognized the
need OF naval and military station for
the United States in the West Indies-such
as We now have in Porto Rico SANTANA
bay was large and deep and well sheltered.
There was chance to buy 1t from San Do
mingo and the few negroes in the vicinity
were anxious for the purchase to be made.
1t would be an ideal station. peaceably
and honestly acquired, close to our shores,
protective of our interests in the West
Indies, and obtained without bloodshed
and with the consent OF the inhabitants.
The proposition was made. too, when Spain
was stronger on the sea than this country
and was particularly aggressive and AFRO
CANT toward us.
But the great republican leaders said
no, with Charles Sumner at their head.
Grant with all his power and prestige was
insistent but his opponents in his own
party were stubborn. The proposal to
annex this new territory was greeted with
a perfect storm of indignation" as one
paper in referring to this matter puts 1t.
As the same authority suggests, IAN in
fuential portion of the republican party
led by Sumner went into open revolt and
the attitude of the remainder was such
that Grant, man of iron that he was, en-
trely abandoned the scheme" The argu-
ment was that the whole proposition was
in contravention of republican principles.
Think OF the deterioration OF the party
In twenty-five years. Now the doctrine
not alone OF peaceable annexation OF
needed defense stations in the West In
dies, but OF forcible conquest of nearby
and remote islands, is openly advocated
by the president and his party. while those
are denounced as traitors and little
Americans" who stand where Charles
Sumner and his colleagues stood few
years ago
But there were no sydicates and trusts
seeking spoils and ACKNOWLEDGMENT at the
expense OF the government in that former
time. The presidency was not openly
bought In those days; the senate had not
become club composed OF millionaires
and corporation attorneys; the shadow of
Imperialism had not yet fallen upon the
great republic.
II there are honest, thoughtful. sincere
republicans left. they might well ponder
these facts and make note OF the changes
even since Grants time. Possibly the evil
tendencies were beginning then. but now
We are rapidly being driven upon the
rocks!