"They tell us that we think more of the church than we do of the United States; of course we do. Why, if the government of the United States were at war with the church, we would say tomorrow, to hell with the government of the United States; and if the church and all the governments of the world were at war, we would say, to hell with all the governments of the world. They say we are Catholics first and Americans decidedly afterwards. There is no doubt about it.... The Catholics of the world are Catholics first and always; they are Americans, they are Germans, they are French, or they are English afterwards." (The Patriots Manual, as copied from the Western Watchman, issue of June 27, 1912.)

Think on these points, my dear American friend! Use the brain which God has given you, and decide for yourself if an institution such as the Roman Catholic system is an American institution. Have we room within our borders for any other than that which will uphold our laws, and fight, if need be, for the protection of the principles upon which this great democracy is builded?

As I have previously stated, I told the community that I would give them until May 1st to settle with me for two thousand dollars. This they refused to do, so my attorney wrote as follows:

Spokane, Wash., May 2, 1912.

Mother M. Nazareth, Prov. Sup.,
St. Vincent's Hospital, Portland, Oregon.
Dear Madam:

We have placed in our hands for settlement the matter of Sister Lucretia, which we are informed you are familiar with. If this matter can be settled for twenty thousand dollars, we are in a position to settle it, and if not attended to at once, we will take such steps as may become necessary to enforce settlement at once.

Yours very truly,


SCOTT & CAMPBELL.

The community made no favorable reply to the above communication, so it was decided that I, with my attorney, Mr. Scott, would go to Portland, to look into the matter of filing suit against them for salary due me for my services at St. Vincent's Hospital.

In the Spokesman Review (a Spokane daily) there appeared two articles about the case, issue of June 9, 1912. The first article was a lengthy one, discussing in general the case, and containing a statement obtained from me. The second, a dispatch from Portland, I will reprint. It will explain itself:

SUPERIOR SURPRISED AT SUIT.

Hospital Head Gives Sister Lucretia High Testimonial.

Portland, Ore., June 8.—Sister Alexander, superior at St. Vincent's Hospital, was surprised to learn from Spokane tonight that Sister Lucretia threatened proceedings against the order, and gave Sister Lucretia a high testimonial for her work while at the hospital.

"Sister Lucretia severed her connections with the hospital and with the Sisters of Charity last April," said Sister Alexander. "She was dissatisfied at having been assigned to another field of labor, that at St. Eugene's Hospital at Cranbrook, B. C., after having served in Portland so long.

"There was nothing improper in her leaving, as she was free to leave the order if she choose. She did not express any hostile feelings toward the sisters, however, and seemed to have been perfectly satisfied with her treatment. I have been in touch with her up to a few weeks ago and have received no intimation of her intention to bring suit.

"I cannot imagine on what grounds she bases her contention. She was an excellent nurse while at the hospital and was well and favorably known about the city."

Before entering the order, Sister Lucretia's home was near Spokane, and she has been at St. Vincent's Hospital here almost the entire time of her sisterhood.

On June 10th I donned my sisterhood garb, and in company with Mr. Scott, went to Portland. The reason for my wearing the garb again, was that I had a clerical half-fare railroad book, which had been given to me by the community for my use, and as I had not received my dispensation, I was still a sister and was entitled to wear the garb of the Roman Catholic sisterhood, if I so choose.

During my entire sisterhood I had always traveled either half-fare, or on a pass which would generally be made out for the superior and her companion. The sisters were trained to imitate the hand-writing of the sisters in whose names the passes or half-fare books were issued, so they could sign the name appearing on these passes or half-fare books. At retreat time these passes and books were kept busy, carrying sisters one way, and then returned by mail for others to travel on.

I remember once when I was traveling on Mother Theresa's pass, and after I had signed her name, the conductor who knew both Mother Theresa and myself, came to me in a good-natured, smiling manner and said that I was a rather young-looking Mother Theresa.