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The Peril of the Republic of the United States of America - Percy T. Magan

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“Bleda, <strong>the</strong> celebrated Dominican, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

most influential men <strong>of</strong> his time, wished this to be<br />

done, and to be done thoroughly. He said that, for<br />

<strong>the</strong> sake <strong>of</strong> example, every Morisco in Spain<br />

should have his throat cut, because it was<br />

impossible to tell which <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m were Christians at<br />

heart, and it was enough to leave <strong>the</strong> matter to God,<br />

who knew his own, and who would reward in <strong>the</strong><br />

next world those who were really Catholics.”[2]<br />

In <strong>the</strong> year 1609, when Philip III was king,<br />

Lerma, his minister, at <strong>the</strong> instigation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> clergy,<br />

announced to <strong>the</strong> king that <strong>the</strong> expulsion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Moriscos had become necessary. “<strong>The</strong> resolution,”<br />

replied Philip, “is a great one; let it be executed.”<br />

And executed it was, with unflinching barbarity.<br />

“About one million <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most industrious<br />

inhabitants <strong>of</strong> Spain were hunted out like wild<br />

beasts, because <strong>the</strong> sincerity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir religious<br />

opinions was doubted. Many were slain as <strong>the</strong>y<br />

approached <strong>the</strong> coast; o<strong>the</strong>rs were beaten and<br />

plundered; and <strong>the</strong> majority in <strong>the</strong> most wretched<br />

plight, sailed for Africa. During <strong>the</strong> passage, <strong>the</strong><br />

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