It is the instinct of happiness, which, like some wild
animal, is restless for its prey. It is God calling-God avenging
himself.
July 4, 1880. (_Sunday, half-past eight in the morning_).--The sun has
come out after heavy rain. May one take it as an omen on this solemn
day? The great voice of Clemence has just been sounding in our ears. The
bell's deep vibrations went to my heart. For a quarter of an hour the
pathetic appeal went on--"Geneva, Geneva, remember! I am called
_Clemence_--I am the voice of church and of country. People of Geneva,
serve God and be at peace together." [Footnote: A law to bring about
separation between Church and State, adopted by the Great Council, was
on this day submitted to the vote of the Genevese people. It was
rejected by a large majority (9,306 against 4,044).--[S.]]
_Seven o'clock in the evening_.--_Clemence_ has been ringing again,
during the last half-hour of the _scrutin_. Now that she has stopped,
the silence has a terrible seriousness, like that which weighs upon a
crowd when it is waiting for the return of the judge and the delivery of
the death sentence. The fate of the Genevese church and country is now
in the voting box.
_Eleven o'clock in the evening_.--Victory along the whole line. The Ayes
have carried little more than two-sevenths of the vote.
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