No. 703.
Mr. Fish
to Mr. Blaine.
Berne, August 5, 1881. (Received August 20.)
Sir: The Federal Council and the diplomatic corps attended yesterday the celebration of the four hundredth anniversary of the entry of [Page 1168] Fribourg and Soleure into the Confederation, and the federal shooting festival at Fribourg.
The authorities of the festival had invited the diplomatic corps and received us with every attention, including a national salute. At the banquet the President of the Confederation, in speaking to the toast of “La Patrie,” took occasion to touch upon the question of the right of asylum in Switzerland. He said, “the anniversary signifies the triumph of moderation and political wisdom over partisan spirit. This land is ours and it is well earned, for we have inherited it from our fathers, whose sweat has watered every inch of it, and whose blood has hallowed so many portions of it; it will ever remain, notwithstanding the complaints from the north, a sacred asylum for the representatives of the vanquished cause. But in exercising this hospitality we will remain neutral ourselves. We will not tolerate a conspiration within our borders, and we will ‘know how to keep order in our own house,’ without calling for representations from abroad.” The thundering applause with which the assembly, consisting of many thousands, received this part of his speech was evidence that the position of the government on the question of the refugees is fully supported by the people of Switzerland. That position has been consistent and just in the past, and I have every reason to believe that it will remain so to the end of time.
The French ambassador made a short speech on behalf of the diplomatic corps, and proposed the toast of “the legendary heroes of Switzerland and peace.”
The celebration was a most beautiful one in many respects, and was a typical one as illustrating the national fondness for the sharp-shooter and his rifle.
I was glad to find so prominent a position given to our flag in the decorations, and to see our national colors worn by a Fribourg lady of grace and distinction in the cortége which met us upon our arrival.
I have, &c.,