Rue Saint-Martin, Paris, 1852
“Credo”
The crowd was quickly swelling, as they marched toward the Pantheon. Workers from the nearby shops were joining in, houses were quickly emptying into the street, for the march was half a movement, half a cause, but everyone recognizing something out of place and spectacular unfolding. It was the happy moment, the time were a crowd is jeering and chanting, building up its courage because yet unopposed.
At the head of the large column, Charles-Eugène Cartier was marching, shouting encouragement to the crowd of worked. “Our rights! Our rights! Out of this misery!” The most intrepid were running to and from the march, bringing back information about the adjoining streets.
“The rue de la Verrerie is clear!” said a man.
« Excellent, have you spoken with the glassworkers? » said Cartier.
“They will join us when we pass!” said the man.
As they passed in front of the St-Merry Church, the crowd halted as Cartier climbed up the stairs toward a visibly frightened priest.
“Fear not Father, for these brave people are merely marching for their Christian rights.” He said.
“The Bible says to obey the laws of men, my son”
“And the laws shall be obeyed, as dutiful Christians we are. We are merely on a march to lift out of the misery the good people of France, currently sickening under the iron heel of a caste who cares naught for their brothers in the faith.”
“Swear you will renounce violence.”
“I abhor it. Bless us, dear father, bless the crowd”
“I will not condone your actions.”
“We ask but for a blessing, for our souls, at a time of great peril.”
“Agreed..”
As he knelt to receive the blessing, the crowd cheered very loudly. The priest then proceeded to bless them with large shows of hands. Cartier, walking down toward the crowd, spoke with a small group of men.
“Quickly, run everywhere, the Church has blessed the march.”
“Did the priest really say that?”
“Facts do not exactly matter in a situation such as this. Spread the word and it will catch like a wildfire. Perception is key.”
They smiled and they ran away, carrying the news.
As the workers resumed their march, cheering toward the Church, they chanted the Marseillaise.