Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-08-19
Expressions Of sympathy from switzer-

ll6 CAREFUL OUSClNC1 VI pesSSAhS S'NAAS'
cannot have failed to notice the sympa-
thies of Europe relative to the great
struggle between Liberty and Slavery
OH this continent. Let the traveller go
where he will, and where there is aris-
tocracy and grinding despotism there is
sympathy for Slavery's rebellion. But
let him go among the free republics and
among the toiling masses whose aspira-
tions for the largest liberty have not yet
been entirely subdued and there he will
find earnest, active sympathy for the
North and liberty. The only possible
exception to this statement is in the case
of Russia, in whose vast empire liberty is
not yet extinct, but is gradually gaining
ground True Russia's friendship is
expressed for us, but it is selfish
friendship after all, such as grows out OF
necessity and dependency. American
engineers and mechanics have made
Russia friendly to the American govern
ment. This kindly feeling must of
course be reciprocated for political rea-
sons, and hence Poland, down-trodden
and oppressed, feels that we are not the
true friends of liberty. But after all, in
Poland even there goes up daily and
nightly supplications that liberty may
prevail in this our great contest.
On the 11th of July last, large and
enthusiastic meeting was held in Gene
va, Switzerland, by the friends of lib
erty, and the following address was
unanimously adopted by an audience
of 1000 people assembled in the cleo
toral building and ratified by at least
5000 persons outside, who could not
gain an entrance:
PEOPLE OF THE AMERICAN UNION: The people
of Geneva, in meeting assembled at the Electo-
raj Hall, address to the people OF the Union
brotherly greeting and testimonials OF tnelr
= The events Which are happening in the bosom
of the Great Republic of the Union have not
found the people OF Geneva indifferent. 1t is
with painful sentiments that they have witness
ed the violation of the Federal compact by some
States. 1t is with grief they have seen states
forget that federative unity is proclaimed by the
Constitution; that such unity was recommend
ed and maintained by the first Presidents of the
Union, the immortal Washington, twice elected
twice eleeted President, 1901, 1909, &c. -
prayers that, inspired solely by patriotic
thoughts, the States still in revolt may range
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 others expe-
riencing a counter-blOw. Convinced of this
truth, IN the presence OF the civil war which
Facilitates the projects of the enemies of the
American Republic, they believe it to be their
duty to give expression to 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 uni
ted, than before. Those of our cantons which
formerly wished to separate would now rise,
without distinction, to uphold the Federal COM
pact. 1t 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 Constitu-
tion--in Liberty.
People of the Union! Soldiers of the entirety
of the country! courage and constancy. You
have our sympathies, because in defending the
Union you aiso defend Liberty-you abolish the
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 peo-
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 determin-
alton to make that essential to the form of gov
ernment.
This scheme we truly hope will not be realized;
but were it so, We think that any European gov
ernInent, and with stronger reason, free SwitZ-
erland, would not abuse itself by acknowledging
a power based on Slavery.
People of the Union! the citizens of Geneva
assembled in meeting to address you their felic-
itationS 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 consequence of victory must be the abOli-
ton of Slavery forever and everywhere.
Hail, Liberty! Hail, Republic of the United
StafeSi