"That's up to the company. It's their horses."
The priest looked at the drummer oddly. Gumersindo interposed:
"Father, let me explain Señor Strawbridge to you. I said, a while ago, he had reduced this to dollars and cents. So he has. You must remember that property is a fetish in America. Americans do not possess their property, they are possessed by it. In America the prime factor of civilization is property; in Venezuela the prime factor is Man."
Strawbridge was hot enough to grow angry instantly.
"Look here," he cried, "let me nail that lie right now, while I got my hammer out! We Americans spend our money just as free as you Venezuelans, and a damn sight freer!"
"But, Señor Strawbridge," returned the editor, politely, "that has nothing to do with my analysis. In America all your social framework is built around money. Rich men are respected, and poor men are not. It would be better to say that in America property is respected and men are not."
"That's impossible!" cried Strawbridge, steadily growing angrier.
"Not at all. When an American loses his money, he loses the friendship and respect of his fellow Americans. The man who acquires the former rich man's fortune, acquires also the respect that goes with it." Gumersindo made a gesture. "Pues, do you recall, Señor Strawbridge, that the first draft of the American Declaration of Independence read in this fashion: 'All men are born free, and are equally entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of property'? The word 'happiness,' substituted by Jefferson, was merely an American euphemism for 'property'; it means the same thing in America."
"Why—by God!—I recall nothing of the kind!" shouted Strawbridge, with the American conviction that if one denied history in a loud voice it would cease to exist. "No, that's just a damn lie some damn Venezuelan started on Americans!"
"Certainly I am no expert in American history," agreed the editor, smoothly. "You doubtless know the history of your country better than I do."