Historian, sociologist, writer, teacher at the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi in the history, sociology, anthropology, political science and international cooperation programs and holder of the Canada Research Chair on collective imaginations.
We can rightly respect the work of Champlain and other figures of New France or find inspiration in the pioneers of the Quiet Revolution, but if we really want to go back to the living source of modern Quebec, we cannot avoid the reference to the patriots. However, it is to be deplored that their memory does not arouse more effervescence among us. They were defeated, they failed, fine. But in my eyes, the fact that their collective liberation movement was crushed by much more powerful armed forces gives it even more relief. The militants who gave their lives in this confrontation and on the scaffold or who were condemned to exile come out of it even greater. We can find there authentic heroes who, by their altruism, by the sacrifices to which they have consented, command respect and encourage them to resume their cause.
A founding text
Witness the Declaration of Independence of Lower Canada written by Robert Nelson in 1838. This is a document remarkable for its generosity, its foresight and its timeliness. It corresponds in all respects to the definition of what a founding text inspired by humanism and civic virtue should be, namely: a) a statement of ideals capable of directing and elevating the action of all citizens, b) universal horizons which can accompany a people over the centuries and survive all the variations of fortune and mood. In this genre, one immediately thinks of the founding dreams of the French Republic or Great Britain.
Essentially, if we look at the principles that supported it, this declaration of 1838 could have been written today. Let us remember the main values it enunciated: the will to govern oneself, freedoms, democracy, the separation of State and Church, social justice, the promotion of education, the equality of rights for all citizens regardless of their origins, their language and their beliefs (the text very clearly mentioned the emancipation of what were then called “Savages”). One can only admire the modern character of these provisions.
It highlights the main elements specific to founding the future of a people: very noble statements, directions of action, heroes, sacrificial acts, bets on the future. Everything is here. As well, the commemoration of their struggle is now official at the highest institutional level and many citizens or organizations are working on it with great vigilance and merit. But again, the general feeling doesn’t seem to me to be up to par with what these founders have done. What more could we do?
Everyone can speculate, but why shouldn’t the schools do more of their part by recalling once a year, in a very special way, the memory of the patriots, highlighting what they did and the society in which they dreamed of, by making better known those among these actors who most deserve to pass on to posterity? We would also see the Quebec government increase its commitment in this field.
A pauper’s will, an inexhaustible legacy
Thus, it seems to me that all young people should know the magnificent, tragic and moving letter written in February 1839 by Chevalier de Lorimier, the day before his hanging, “in the silence […] from the dungeon”. It is difficult to imagine a more courageous and dignified, nobler and purer testimony. He writes: “I die without remorse, I only wanted the good of my country. He evokes “the blood and tears shed on the altar of freedom [qui] water [nos] roots”. And again, addressing his children: “Your father’s crime is in failure. He ends: “I die crying: Long live freedom, long live independence.” »
I was very impressed when I read this letter several years ago. It inspires me today with the same emotion.
In addition to inspiring this kind of feeling, the function of the founding myths, in any nation, is to assign a direction, a vocation for posterity, and to arouse solidarity at the same time as pride, the desire to take the relay. From this point of view, the model that these patriots embody could not be more honorable and worthy of imitation. These ancestors, modest in their condition, are immense in the elevation of their views and the faith which animated them.
It would be sad to think that their rather limited influence in our imagination could be due to a part of negligence or indifference. It would be even more so if it were linked to their defeated status. One must keep in mind the conditions that led to their defeat, the cause they espoused, and the price they paid for their ideals. Finally, to extend the memorial scope of the patriots, it would be appropriate not to restrict it to the promotion of political sovereignty, but also to rely on the great collective values that they wanted to serve. This is, I believe, the spirit of the will that De Lorimier left us.
The heritage of all Quebecers
I spoke of prolonging their cause, what does that mean? I insist, this heritage belongs to and is addressed to all Quebecers, regardless of their political allegiances. It can indeed result in a wide variety of options. Once again, what is at its heart, what must be celebrated and perpetuated, are the very noble ideals that sustain it: the love of freedom, democracy, equality, equity. We can all appropriate them, beyond our differences. They are proposed to the adhesion of each one, of each one among us. In this way, they overflow the singularity of Quebec, they make it reach the universal.
The appeal made here is all the more relevant since, as I showed in my previous text (January 8-9), today’s Quebecers can hardly draw from their most distant origins enough to feed their civic consciousness and their collective dreams — to rely on what I have called “bridges”, that of the people in particular.