Chronicles of Notre Dame du Lac
Edward Sorin, CSC -- Translated by John M. Toohey, CSC, 1895

---

1855

pg 261       been said, whereas he could no longer act, since even the 
             permission to admit to the reception of the habit was withdrawn.  
             Moreover, the cruel deception and crushing troubles that he had 
             just experienced at the asylum of New Orleans had so intimidated 
             him, or brought him to a non-plus, that the very idea of exposing 
             himself again made him shudder (the word may seem too strong, but 
             considered in the light of the torches kindled on his way for some 
             years by human passions, not only to give him light but to roast 
             him by inches, it will be found to be the word that precisely 
             expresses what he felt) at sight of the danger and in his 
             insatiable thirst for peace.
                  In any other circumstances and under any other influences, he 
             would have taken time to expose the state of affairs to the Mother 
             House.  Here it was necessary to act.
                  To withdraw from New York after the disgraceful retreat from 
             the South would be to ruin himself entirely in the eyes of the 
             public, not only of New York but of the whole country.  
             Nevertheless, it was necessary to resolve upon it, or to 
             recommence, coolly, the same war in which the Congregation had