The declaration of Guise was circulated throughout the country something like a monster petition, and those who wished bound themselves to support it.

The {222} power of this association of Catholics among nobles and people soon made it so formidable that Henry III reversed his former policy, recognized the League and declared himself its head.
[Sidenote: Estates General of Blois] The elections for the States General held at Blois in 1576 proved highly favorable to the League.

The chief reason for their overwhelming success was the abstention of the Protestants from voting.
In continental Europe it has always been and is now common for minorities to refuse to vote, the idea being that this refusal is in itself a protest more effective than a definite minority vote would be.
To an American this seems strange, for it has been proved time and again that a strong minority can do a great deal to shape legislation.
But the Huguenots reasoned differently, and so seated but one Protestant in the whole assembly, a deputy to the second, or noble, estate.

The privileged orders pronounced immediately for the enforcement of religious unity, but in the Third Estate there was a warm debate.

John Bodin, the famous publicist, though a Catholic, pleaded hard for tolerance.