Union of Operatives at San Pier d’Arena
[Translation.]
Citizen Consul: We all raised a cry of indignation and horror at the news of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, whom we had hailed as a new Washington, In him we revered a man, who, guided by the genius of free institutions and the love of his fellow-men, found a way to promote the doctrines of human equality by a great act of emancipation, and in our last meeting we voted an address, expressing our sorrow and sympathy for this great misfortune of the American people.
The good cause has suffered truly a great loss in the death of such a leader, but there remains no doubt that his and the people’s firmness of character, spirit of sacrifice, and courage had already triumphed; and we are convinced that this horrid crime will give greater force to your cause, and a speedier recognition of human equality.
Happy, O American people, are you who secured your liberties with your own blood, and have had the courage to maintain them at the same great sacrifice. Firm as a rock in the sea, you may defy those of your enemies who still govern in the name of divine right in every corner of the world, and especially in our Europe, where they are stronger than elsewhere, and fear that the blessing of liberty enjoyed in your country may stimulate the people to imitate your examples and overturn those rotten edifices which are called thrones.
To us, who enjoy a shadow of liberty, there remains no other path to the blessings which you possess than to take you for guide, and move after you towards a true democracy.
Virtue and constancy.
For the union of operatives at San Pier d’Arena:
And others, Operatives.