ism, begin to regard it as a Divine institution and
return to her fold.' 'Yes,' he said, 'the Church is as much at home
in a republic as in a monarchy or aristocracy. But then, again, you
have the abolitionists and their opponents, who get each other by the
hair.' 'There is also the Catholic faith, Holy Father, which if once
known would act on these parties like oil upon troubled waters, and
our best-informed statesmen are becoming more and more convinced that
Catholicity is necessary to sustain our institutions, and enable our
young country to realize her great destiny. And allow me to add, most
Holy Father, that it would be an enterprise worthy of your glorious
pontificate to set on foot the measures necessary for the beginning
of the conversion of America.'

"On retiring he gave me his blessing, and repeated in a loud voice as
I kneeled, 'Bravo! Bravo!'"

"Pius IX.," said Father Hecker afterwards, "was a man of the largest
head, of still larger heart, moved more by his impulses than by his
judgment; but his impulses were great, noble, all-embracing."

It will not be out of place here to look more closely into Father
Hecker's conscience and study his motives. One might ask why he did
not simply submit to the infliction visited upon him by his superior
in the order, and humbly withdraw from notice till God should find a
way to vindicate him. But his case was not a personal one. He was in
Rome representing a body of priests and a public cause, and every
principle of duty and honor required an appeal to higher authority.
Nor was vindication the chief end in view, but rather freedom to
follow the dictates of the Holy Spirit in accordance with Catholic
traditions and wholly subject to the laws and usages of the Church.
Beyond securing exactly this he had no object whatever. On February
19, 1858, he thus wrote to his brother George:

"But there is no use of keeping back anything. My policy has all
along been to have no policy, but to be frank, truthful, and have no
fear. For my own part I will try my best to be true to the light and
grace given me, even though it reduces me to perfect insignificance.
I desire nothing upon earth except to labor for the good of our
Religion and our Country, and whatever may be the decision of our
affairs here, my aims cannot be defeated. I feel, indeed, quite
indifferent about the decision which may be given, so that they allow
us freedom."

As illustrating Father Hecker's supernatural