“I suppose, of course, we shall have to submit. But it is hard. Shall we have to lose our property, our lands?”
“I come with a mission to the Americans relative to them. I have not talked with the Americans yet, but I can assure you justice. As for the churches and convents, you have lost them to the church, and it is part of my mission to regain them for the church.”
“I shall have to submit. But I can not overcome my hatred of the Americans and I will not remain to knuckle to the natives. I wish I might strike them one hard blow.” He brought his fist down on the table with a thump. The Jesuit was silent a moment. Then he said: “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. You know the response.”
“The lands which the supreme pontiff gave to Legaspi he may take again from the heirs of Legaspi.”
“I can not for the life of me see where the holy church will profit from the change, seeing that Spain is a Catholic country and America is heretic.”
“Spain will remain true to the church even if she loses. But if America wins, then we may not only win back into the fold the schismatics of the islands, but stand also a chance of winning America, and with it the world. It is the greatest, opportunity the church has had for years.”
“I do not yet see how you expect to win America.”
“We have been working for the conquest of America for centuries, ever since Columbus gave it to the world and dedicated it to Christ and his viceregent. After the heretics had taken possession of it, we have labored without cessation to win it back. We brought believing emigrants to the cities until we control many of them. We now have ten million population and two million voters, controlling several states and holding the balance of political power. Already the politicians are taking cognizance of us, But, more important than this, the statesmen are looking for a power that can withstand the tide of Socialism that is sweeping over the land and are ready to make concessions to us for our influence.
“The most far-seeing of American politicians recently remarked that some day Socialism would become a menace to the world and that the strongest influence to combat it would be the Roman Catholic church. Acting on this belief he has already been negotiating for our support. It was the Catholic vote that saved America from the domination of the middle class when threatened by the mob in 1896. It was members of my order who fanned the flame that led to the present war, so that America might enter on world politics. The end is not yet. The Pope sees the importance of our plans, and you must submit. We intend that in the future it shall be known that he who would succeed at the polls must have our favor. We have the power now, and we shall use it. The Brotherhood of Jesus has been banished from almost every country on the face of the globe, but in spite of this we have remained loyal to our extreme oath, and have not for a moment faltered in our purpose to make America Catholic. We are now at the point of success, and the supreme pontiff sends me to command you to yield. Is your loyalty sufficient for that? Remember, we have been driven from land after land, and show yourself as true as the Jesuits have been.”
Bishop Lonzello did not reply. But he filled the two glasses, and as he raised his glass to his lips he proposed the toast: