The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-03-05
HOUSTON, MONDAY, MARCH s, 1ool
THE DYNASTY OF PROTECTION.

The protected interests" have no fear
OF. nor regard for, the constitution. and
in the republican party they have an
Invaluable ally, The Puerto Rlcan COM
promise is an argument in point which no
man, not blatant ass will deny. The
administration policy was to enveIop tho
territory OF Puerto Rico with the consti-
tution, as other territories arc enveloped
and have been, since the original States
adopted the course of territorial expan-
sion on the western hemisphere But the
administration policy Is subject 10 modih-
cation and change according to party ext
gences. To allow Puerto Rican products
free access TO the markets Of the United
States would give the giant monopolists Of
the sugar and tobacco trade rival which
would force their prices down to a com.
petitlye basis. This would never do. A
party that would subject It's best friends
to the annoyance of a rival however
small and incousequental, would be
guilty of irtolerable ingratitudo. Admin
istration decorations about the plain duty
OF the government to Territory. out OF
which some day may be carved a sover-
eign State, made in advance Of consul
tation with the protected interests" as
We have seen, amount to nothing. The
administration when removed in tempo
rary authority from the sway of the
protected interests Is so perpendicular
on constitutional duties OF government
that a plummet dropped from the execu-
tive head to the heels would not reveal a
break or curve in tho perpendicularlty OF
the executive backbone. But. when from
the temple Of the money changers. is pro-
mulgated the decree OF avarico the ad-
ministratlon grows. straightway, so wob-
bly, aud eccentric in its multlform In
constituencies as to defy the Recording
Angel to set them down in consecutive
order on the chronicles OF current event
Puerto Rico will continue to pay tribute
to the protected interests" and their
tariff bound victims in the United States
VIII continue under tho exactlons OF
these monsters who win control the gov
eminent as long as the republican party
remains In power IN the Puerto Rican
compromise, which Is compromise sug-
gested by the sugar aud tobacco trust
lobby and not by the president of the
united States, tho country has a forerun-
ner OF what will transpire with reference
TO the government Of our glorious Phil
ippine possessions Thus expires the
open door policy, with the transcendant
beauties aud benefits OF which our expan-
sion friends have been regaling the coun.
Try A little while ago we were told that
we. and all others who dared oppose
the oppressive march OF Imperialism wera
mossbacks and enemies to the expansion
OF American trade and commerce; that
commerce followed the flag and that thc
constant development OF huge military
establishment was an indispensable ad
Junct to the attainment OF National des.
tiny :, and mission. What now? Is n
National destiny to acquire territories to
De handled as dependencies TO a MON
archy OF greed and party corruption? Is
Il National mission to let the protected
interests" designate the policies OF gov.
eminent which republic shall mete ont
to possessions entitled to full fellow
ship with the union OF States. OF which
'ney are part. by every rule OF consh
tutionai construction known to men whose
opinions Intelligence and honor can re.
speetg 1t looks that way, and. IL so. II
were far better that Manila had never
lent lustre to the American navy and
san Juan hill never known the glory
Of the American volunteer.