Doc.
37. the address of the Genevan's: to the people of the American Union:
The people of
Geneva, in meeting at the
Electoral Hall, address to the people of the
Union brotherly greeting and testimonials of their lively sympathy.
The events which are happening in the bosom of the Great Republic of the
Union have not found the people of
Geneva indifferent.
It is with painful sentiments that they have witnessed the violation of the
Federal compact by some States.
It is with grief they have seen States forget that federative unity is proclaimed by the
Constitution; that such unity was recommended and maintained by the first
Presidents of the
Union--the immortal
Washington, twice elected
President, 1789, 1793, 1797;
Thomas Jefferson, twice elected
President, 1801, 1809, &c.
The people of
Geneva offer the most hearty prayers that, inspired by patriotic thoughts, the States still in revolt may range themselves ever under the Star Spangled Banner of the
Union.
The people of
Geneva, with all their wishes, forward this movement, because thenceforth liberty will be triumphant without distinction of race, at the
North as at the
South.
The citizens of
Geneva recognize that strict solidarity exists between free people; that one of them cannot suffer without the other experiencing a sad counter blow.
Convinced of this truth, in the presence of the civil war which facilitates the projeets of the enemies of the
American Republic, they believe it to be their duty to give expression to a fraternal word of encouragement to republicans on the other side of the ocean.
People of the
United States, the only Republic of
Europe, Helvetia, has had also her moments of intestine strife and attempts at separation.
She has come forth triumphantly from these trials.
She has come forth stronger, more united than before.
Those of our cantons which formerly wished to separate, would now rise with out distinction to uphold the
Federal compact.
It will be the same with the American Union The Southern States will comprehend that the safeguard of their independence and of their prosperity is to be found in the
Constitution — in liberty.
People of the
Union!
Soldiers of the entirety of the country!
Courage and consistency You have our sympathies, because in defending the
Union, you also defend liberty.
You abolish an odious and crying shame of a part of the
United States--Slavery.
The violation of the
Federal Constitution by some States of the
Union has caused to the people of
Geneva a sentiment the more painful because nothing justified that violation.
No wrong can be alleged by the Secessionists either against the
Federal Government or against other authorities.
The determination to destroy the
Federal compact of Union is explicable only by the wish to maintain slavery by the determination to make that essential to the form of government.
This scheme, we truly hope, will not be realized, but were it so, we think that only
European goverements, and with stronger reason, free
Switzerland, would not abase itself by acknowledging a power based upon slavery.
People of the
Union!
the citizens of
Geneva assembled in meeting to address to you their felicitations on the aim you pursue to maintain the
Constitution inviolate and to destroy slavery.
The struggle has commenced between the two principles — Liberty and Slavery.
The consummation of victory must be the abolition of slavery forever and everywhere.
Hail Liberty!
Hail Republic of the
United States.
Mr. Seward returned the following response:
I have received from the
American Consul who resides at
Geneva, and have laid before the
President, your fervent, eloquent, and most fraternal address to the people of the
United States.
By his command, I give you thanks, in the name of all my countrymen, for the timely and appropriate words of sympathy and friendship which you have spoken.
Your address adds strength to the already strong claim which binds the first federal republic of
America to the oldest and foremost federal republic of
Europe.
The people of
Switzerland may rest assured, whoever else may fail, that it will not be the people of the
United States which will betray the republican system to foreign enemies, or surrender it to domestic faction.
With ardent prayers for the preservation of the
Constitution, the freedom and prosperity of
Switzerland, I have the honor to remain, citizens,
Your most obedient and sincere friend,
