Now in time revolution, whoever is neuter of is impotent.  Nevertheless, during the first hours of resistance against the coup d’etat the democratic Catholic workman, whose noble effort we are here relating, threw himself so resolutely into the cause of Justice and of Truth, that in a few moments he transformed distrust into confidence, and was hailed by the people.  He showed such gallantry at the rising of the barricade of the Rue Aumaire that with an unanimous voice they appointed him their leader.  At the moment of the attack he defended it as he had built it, with ardor.  That was a sad but glorious battle-field; most of his companions were killed, and he escaped only by a miracle.

However, he succeeded in returning home, saying to himself bitterly, “All is lost.”

It seemed evident to him that the great masses of the people would not rise.  Thenceforward it appeared impossible to conquer the coup d’etat by a revolution; it could be only combated by legality.  What had been the risk at the beginning became the hope at the end, for he believed the end to be fatal, and at hand.  In his opinion it was necessary, as the people were defaulters, to try now to arouse the middle classes.  Let one legion of National Guards go out in arms, and the Elysee was lost.  For this a decisive blow must be struck—­the heart of the middle classes must be reached—­the “bourgeois” must be inspired by a grand spectacle which should not be a terrifying spectacle.

It was then that this thought came to this workman, “Write to the Archbishop of Paris.”

The workman took a pen, and from his humble garret he wrote to the Archbishop of Paris an enthusiastic and earnest letter in which he, a man of the people and a believer, said this to his Bishop; we give the substance of his letter:—­

“This is a solemn hour, Civil War sets by the ears the Army and People, blood is being shed.  When blood flows the Bishop goes forth.  M. Sibour should follow in the path of M. Affre.  The example is great, the opportunity is still greater.

“Let the Archbishop of Paris, followed by all his clergy, the Pontifical cross before him, his mitre on his head, go forth in procession through the streets.  Let him summon to him the National Assembly and the High Court, the Legislators in their sashes, the Judges in their scarlet robes; let him summon to him the citizens, let him summon to him the soldiers, let him go straight to the Elysee.  Let him raise his hand in the name of Justice against the man who is violating the laws, and in the name of Jesus against the man who is shedding blood.  Simply with his raised hand he will crush the coup d’etat.

“And he will place his statue by the side of M. Affre, and it will be said that twice two Archbishops of Paris have trampled Civil War beneath their feet.”

“The Church is holy, but the Country is sacred.  There are times when the Church should succor the Country.”