Victor Hugo (1878), Address of Victor Hugo to the International Literary Congress, Paris, 17 June 1878

What makes this year so wonderful, so memorable, is that above the noise and clamour, to our astonishment, brooking no controversy, we hear the voice of civilization. This is a defining year. What should be done is being done. The old order is giving way to the new. Progress takes the place of war. Opposition is crumbling. Threats rumble around us but the friendship of nations makes us smile.