Excusing myself, I made my way to the main pressroom, considering what I had just heard. These notions had crossed my mind, but I had not taken them seriously. Really, the old and the conservative were sure to consider the Declaration as something completely different from the regime now swept aside, but their reservations were groundless. The men of the National Assembly have only the best intentions in their breasts as to the future of France, and they would not have taken their steps had they not firmly believed it was the best for France.

Stepping into the pressroom, my senses were subjected to the strong oils, inks, and smells and noise of machinery in action. The presses were being readied, while Marcel was busy getting the typeset arranged. Though not as busy as during the day, energy coursed through the room as the pressmen primed the printers to duplicated this magnificent document. My spirits, buoyed once more, I greeted them, “Good eve, gentlemen! How do you find this Declaration?”

Jacque, always the quickest with an opinion and tongue, spoke first: “It is too miraculous to believe. Should I know you to be a liar and thief, I would call this piece of paper a forgery.”

“There is some curious wording in the Declaration,” claimed Marcel as he was setting the Preamble of the document into the press-block. “On the whole though, I think this will be a powerful cornerstone for the new constitution of France. I am very interested in seeing how they build from these principles. The government will draw authority from these principles and not from the king.”

At that moment, there was a hush. The sliding of machinery and the noises inherent to a pressroom were still being made, but the people within were silent. Marcel, absentminded at best, oblivious at worst, prattled on, “These are broad ideals, not very specific. There are many details to be worked out if the National Assembly wishes for it to work. Citizenship, form and function of government, and other practical details need to be filled in. As first principles, the Declaration is fine, but as an actual working document, it lacks substance.”

I stopped listening to Marcel about then, even though he continued to speak. I drifted away from the men, considering that awesome statement: The government will draw authority from these principles and not from the king. Something I had not truly realized until Marcel, in his obtuse ramblings, had pointed it out. I slipped back towards the Master’s office, almost not noticing Diego as he past me. I paused at the door, looking at Diego’s form as he made his way into the pressroom.

Return to Master LaMontangue's Office.
Ask Diego about what he thinks about the Declaration.