Polish Mutual Aid Society
[Translation.]
The Polish refugees in Switzerland to the great nation the republic of the United States.
Fraternal greeting and profound sympathy!
Republican Citizens:
After a fatal struggle of twenty months for the independence and liberty of our country, after countless losses, we, exiles from our homes, under the ægis of the free Swiss nation, the only oasis of liberty in Europe, contemplate with hearts palpitating with emotion your gigantic struggle, supported by rights the most sacred to humanity. The news of your heroic and glorious exploits filled us with admiration, and your triumphs made us poor Poles forget our own misfortunes on beholding the great champions of liberty.
Republican citizens: Now, when the most despotic governments of old Europe are hastening to send you expressions of their sympathy, on the occasion of the horrible crime that has deprived you and all friends of liberty of its greatest defender, your President elect, Abraham Lincoln, we beg you to accept the feeble vote of sincere sympathy and profound sorrow from a few people—a handful of exiles.
Our whole nation cannot express its sentiments for you, because its people are scattered over the face of the earth; but you can accept our good wishes as the feeble echo of a friendly people.
Fraternal greeting and sympathy!
In the name of the Polish Mutual Aid Society of Geneva:
In the name of the Polish Mutual Aid Society of St. Gallen: