Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-04-24
SYMPATHY OF STUDENTS.
Aueustana Union Sends Greetings to Bro


theirs Across the Sea-
! The following resolution was
adopted by the Students union of Au
| gustana college in order to expires.
| sympathy to the Finish students al
Heldingfors with their people in theil
present national calamity:
| To the Students of the University
of Heldingfors, Finland, Greetings
To YOU fellow students, the Finish
nations strength and hope, do we as
| students of liberal institution, as
citizens of free republic. as members
| of a common humanity, hereby en-
press our heartfelt sympathy with
YOUR noble nation in these its dire
hours of national crisis, which threat
ems to overthrow your constitutional
government, uproot your free insti-
tutious, annul your time-honored
laws, and, by thus seriously disrupt
ing the organic life of your nation, to
blight the fair blossoms of your en-
deavors and the buds of your hope.
In YOUR far northern country, where
nature deals out its gifts to her chill
dren with sparing hand, you have
conquered natures forces and
wrought out civilization, which
commands the admiration and graft
tude of humanity.
In your national history every page
is an inspiration to all true patriots,
philanthropists and students. The
banner of freedom has been drenched
in your blood, but never surrendered
you have been conquered, but never
subjugated; your land has been taken
ny force of arms, but your respect won
by justice only, and your hearts by the
power of love; you have suffered not
to despair, but to grow strong. In
your material and political struggle
for existence you have not neglected
the pursuits which further the devel-
opment of mans higher and nobler
qualities. On the hearth of the cot
tage, on the altar of the sanctuary, in
the laboratory and lecture room CLOVIS
the sacred fire of knowledge and cul-
ture, fed by pious hands.
In the vicissitudes of your political
relations you have always been loyal
and faithful to your trusts, to which
your rulers and sovereigns have re-
peatedly attested.
BY your moderation and conserva-
tism, your love of justice and respect
of law, you have demonstrated your
capacity of self-government; and your
sovereigns have from time to time
plighted their faith TO preserve and
protect your ancient rights, your Gus
toms and your religion.
And now we are startled by the re-
port that your sovereign inaugurates
a movement to overthrow your very
constitutional rights, which he as
81 IL H.
OF the Omniscent ruler of kings, has
sworn to hold sacred; and when the
of your nation turn to
him for explanation and redress, they
are not even permitted a hearing.
In the name of justice we do en-
disapprove of these meas
ures themselves, the principles on
which they rest. and the policy of
which they are an expression, since
they are detrimental to the best inter-
ests of humanity, and adverse to JUS
tice, liberty and equal rights before
the law, which we as citizens of this
republic do highly prize and jealous
ly guard.
Therefore we deplore these meas
ures, as they aim at the disintegra-
ton of your organic unity and will
finally lead to the abrogation of the
freedom of conscience, of speech and
of press; and by thus Gripping your
powers and clogging the very chan
nels of human expression, they will
retard your progress toward higher
ideals of social, political, and intellec
tual life.
But though, in the changing
fortunes of human institutions, might
is often law, the just rights of the
weak little respected. and the protests
Of the oppressed unheeded by the
world, and hushed by the man
iates of tyrants, yet the germs of lib
erty and justice, nourished by the |
blood and watered by the tears of a
wronged people, will sprout and !
bloom when principllities totter, and
he thrones of empires crumble.
Neither sword nor edict avails against |
Justice and truth. These survive the
Individual. who may have unsheathed
lis sword for their suppression or
sacrificed his life in their defense.
Therefore in the justice of your
.ause you can implore the protection
# heaven, and the sympathy of your
ellowmen, and look beyond the
threatening clouds of the present to
brighter and happier days. and in this
our destined course we hail you as
NAL victors, and while the struggle
lsts we extend to you our heartfelt
and follow you with our
rayers.
On behalf of the students of Angus
ana college and theological seminary,
Jock Island, H., u. S. A.