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“Almost forgotten” Peace monuments
of Geneva

Peace Monument of

historical

importance

Archives and books of the mid gleaming out from the trees and
1830s clearly describe a high shrubbery, looks like a picture in
black marble obelisk, placed the magnificent frame work of
so that it would be visible to the Jura, and the mightier ranges
everyone passing by the famous of the mountains of Switzerland
Villa of the Count de Sellon in and Savoy.
Pregny - Villa La Fenêtre. The On entering the grounds, we left
obelisk is also shown in some the carriage, and walked along
lithographs and is described one of the paths which lead up
as an unusual structure with to the monument erected by the
four clear-cut sides, similar Count, to commemorate the
to an Egyptian stele, each foundation of the Peace Society
bearing engravings. This was of Geneva, and as a tribute of
de Sellon’s personal statement respect to some of the brightest
against violence and dedicated names which illustrate the annals
to peace. It was conceived to of Peace and Humanity.
commemorate the establishment
of the Peace Society. It is an obelisk, of one solid block of
marble, I believe, and bears upon
There is an interesting and three of its sides the following
detailed first-hand description, names :-
by one of de Sellon’s guests,
renowned American reformer NICHOLAS DE FLUE – the
Henry Barnard. He published his notes, entitled: “A visit to pacificator of Switzerland.
the Count de Sellon, Founder and President of the Geneva HENRY IV, KING OF FRANCE - who proposed a congress
Peace Society”, in September 1835 (published by American of nations as the arbiter of international disputes.
Advocate of Peace, 1843-1836, Vol2, No. 10, pp.81-86.). DUKE DE SULLY - his friend, minister, and historian.
“I HAVE remained another day at Geneva, that I might accept FENELON - who traced in his Telemaque, the character of a
the Count de Sellon’s invitation to visit him at his country pacific monarch, as a model of imitation for the presumptive
seat-a few miles out of the city. I am glad I have done so; for heir of the French crown.
a more delightful spot than Fenetre - one presenting so many LEOPOLD - Grand Duke of Tuscany, who abolished in his
charms of scenery… dominions the punishment of death.
BECCARIA-whose eloquent treatise on crimes and
“The Count called for me in his carriage…, we drove through punishments has contributed to the reformation of the
the beautiful environs of the city, to Fenetre. His grounds Criminal Law in Europe.
are extensive, and laid out in the English style of landscape CHARLES LUCAS - Inspector General of the prisons of
gardening - and the views which they every where command, France, who has done much to improve their condition, and
especially the lawn in front of the house, are superb. Lake whose treatise on the abolition of capital punishment, was
Leman; with all the vine covered country, to the west - and crowned with a prize.
the villages and country seats, sprinkled along the shore and EDWARD LIVINGSTON - who proposed the abolition of

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