The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-02-14
uoUsT0y. wrpNEsDlY. rEp. -.
TEN PAGES TODAY.
An uNnIsrosnD OF CHALLENGE.

It is as difficult 10 engage the San Antonio
Express in a contest, wherein the weapons
are those Of sound and honest argument,
as it is 10 persuade Texas steer into a
cattle ear without the accessories of q
cheated chute aud prod pole.
The Post, IS It's readers know, has
steadily opposed imperialism and sought
20 lay bare the fallacy OF the argument
in which that dangerous policy is pred
icated What has been and what is that
argument? Simply that a standing army
Of huge proportions was condition prec-
edent TO the acquisition and retention of
countries that would enlarge the sphere OF
American commercial operations and cs-
tabllsh ga,eways to the trade OF still
more distant lands and peoples Has there
been any other reason OF plea in behalf
OF the policy Of imperialism slnce It arose
under the care OF the republican admin
istraion 10 threaten constitutional gov
ernment and to vex our statesmen OF both
parties2
Convinced that the republican imperial
lists, together with their ill-concealed al
lies within the walls Of democracy, could
not be reached with appeals to respect
the underlying and essential features OF
our form OF government In their dealings
with other peoples and in the extension
OF empire. The Post has met them on the
selfish ground of commerclalism and chal-
lenged them to cast up in one column
the cost aud consequences OF acquiring
and holding territory by force of arms
in another the Immediate and prospective
value OF all the commerce to ensue 4
the people OF the United States therefron
and TO strike an accountants balance
which they should show TO the country
If they dared.
The Express belongs 10 that class o
Texas newspapers that, masqueradiug il
the livery OF self-rlghteous independ
entism assumes to lecture and beratc tn
party to which 1t claims allegiance, Will
In substantial fact supporting every re
publican policy from gold staudardlsm !,
imperialism. To the Express. amongs
others, was submitted The Posts chal
lenge to prove, even upon the coarse priu
ciple of business Is business" that tn
financial results of commercial expan
sion. proceeding from the policy of imper
ialism and held TO continuance by vas
standing army. would outweigh the ex
penditures incident to such a practice
Driven into trap from whence It CA
not extricate itself by fair means the Elk
press gives back, this impoteut snarl:
The Houston Post says It has from timo I
time challenged its imperiallstic critics I
produce TANGIBLE facts and honest figures
/slpnort the kind of commercial expanso
that comes IS n companion OF a vast mill
iary establishment. As no one contemplate
or advocates the sort OF commercial expan
son The Post mentions nor any vast mill
airy establishment" The Posts chaIlenE
mere blun and buster, TO which no atten
on is likely 10 be given.
From the Transparent cover Of It's alllt
erative refuge The Posts challenge mo
appear mere bluff and buster" but I
the impartial and analytical reader tn
Express has retreated before The Post
challenge as precipitateiy as It's bog.
democracy would dodge the batterins IA,
pf truth