Inhabitants of Geneva
[Translation.]
The people of Geneva to the people of the United States of America.
Brothers on the other side of the ocean:
The energetic defender of the integrity of his country, the valorous champion of the abolition of slavery, the great citizen, Lincoln, has fallen a victim of the most cowardly crime. His death is a loss for humanity and for liberty in both hemispheres. It is not the people of the United States alone, but all free peoples with them who have to mourn for this upright patriot. Lincoln was the type of those disinterested characters, of those valiant and humble hearts which democracies must count in great numbers to maintain their rights inviolate, and to assure their continual march towards progress. In the midst of the terrible trials which the American Union has encountered, in all the exigencies of civil war, this upright patriot had but one purpose in view, to respect his oath of fidelity to the Constitution, to prevent the dismemberment of the great republic, to efface the only stain upon its flag, slavery. This is what President Lincoln has realized; he has accomplished this gigantic task without harm to the liberty of the people, with probity and energy in the choice of means, with moderation and generosity towards the vanquished; and for these eminent qualities, for this disinterestedness, he has been basely assassinated. This was more than a [Page 577] crime against the inviolability of human life. It was a crime of treason to republics. In a country where the people alone is sovereign; in democracies where laws, freely discussed and agreed to, are the basis of society, magistrates have a sacred character; to strike them down is to insult the whole people—is to commit the most abominable of high crimes.
Geneva comes solemnly to associate her sorrow and regret with the great grief which this terrible blow has caused the United States. In the darkest days, when the starry flag was held in check by a rebellion, whose real purpose was to consolidate the institution of slavery, and to extend it to territories destined to form new States, the people of Geneva met to send a testimony of sympathy and words of encouragement to the American Union. Her wishes have been realized. The United States emerge from civil war free and more powerful than ever. The little republic of Europe sees with profound satisfaction the result of the trials which the American people have undergone for four years; she breathes a prayer that this power may never be employed to weaken popular liberty and sovereignty, to violate oaths, and satisfy ambitious projects of conquest.
The civil war of the United States will have the same effect for them, we trust, as the Sundenbund, which in 1847 drenched Switzerland with blood. It is from this period the Helvetia dates the closest union between all the cantons without distinction of language, without consideration of local interests. Let the conduct of President Lincoln serve as an example, and the same homogeneity will be realized in the United States. The only cause of division is slavery; may this be scattered forever, even to its smallests roots, and the great republic will have no more internal dangers. The maintenance of its integrity is of the last importance for the future of the republics of the New World. Events have shown this; like a train of powder, no sooner did civil war break out in the Union, than American democracies were in danger. St. Domingo, Paragua, Mexico, are the plain proofs of this. These facts speak—they speak loudly, and need, no commentary. If any one could still doubt the necessity of maintaining the great republic in its integrity, such facts should dispel all uncertainty.
Liberty and power compel, says liberal Europe, while fixing her eyes upon the American Union. It is for you, strong and free people, to give an example for other people; you have done it nobly up to this time; you will do it still— you will do it even to the end; you will utterly abolish slavery, and you will stretch a tutelar hand to the liberties of all peoples. We earnestly desire this, and have confidence that it will be, for you have numerous citizens, whose only ambition is to follow in the footsteps of the Washingtons, Franklins, and Lincolns. It is with this conviction that the people of Geneva, assembled in meeting, say to you, brothers on the other side of the ocean: Long live the republic of the United States of America! Long live liberty!
Done in meeting, the 3d day of May, at the Electoral building, and unanimously adopted by the four thousand persons present.
President du Consul d’Etat.
The Committee.