Union of the Operatives of Genoa to David H. Wheeler

Union of the Operatives of Genoa to David H. Wheeler

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Presidents--Assassination

Condolence notes

Labor unions

Union of the Operatives of Genoa

Record Group 59: General Records of the Department of State, 1763-2002, Entry 177: Foreign Messages on the Death of Abraham Lincoln, 1865, National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

1865-05-04

pdf

eng

RG59E177-409

44.4167, 8.9500

Genoa

Italy

The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Late President of the United States of America, and the Attempted Assassination of William H. Seward, Secretary of State (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1866), 449-50.

The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Late President of the United States of America, and the Attempted Assassination of William H. Seward, Secretary of State (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1867), 589-90.

[Translation.]

Genoa, May 4, 1865.

Honored Sir: While the democracy of Europe was exulting with joy at the late victories of the Union, which had secured the triumph of the holiest of causes, the news of an execrable crime suddenly filled them with consternation and mourning. Abraham Lincoln has been assassinated. The death of this virtuous and great citizen is a universal misfortune. All humanity was struck down in its benefactor, the emancipator of the black race.

In the midst of manifestations of public grief which come from every part of Italy to the representatives of your nation, the Union of the operatives of Genoa raise their cry against the murderers of Lincoln, and send, through you, to your brothers in America, the assurance of their profound grief. We hope that the calculations of the assassins will fail, and that this great crime will not arrest the successful progress of your cause.

Your fellow-citizens will have the magnanimity to avenge this crime in a manner befitting a great nation, by consolidating the work of emancipation initiated and carried forward by Lincoln with such intelligence and courage.

We feel certain that your great republic, which in a few years has displayed so many miracles of valor, constancy and sacrifice, as to fill the world with surprise, purified from the foul stain of slavery, regenerated in blood, and blessed by all humanity, will be more glorious and powerful than before the war, furnish a model for European nations, and lift up the beacon of hope for oppressed peoples.

Faithful to the Monroe doctrine, you will not, we are sure, tolerate the planting of a foreign monarchy on the borders of your own land, which is the sacred asylum of liberty.

We beg you to convey to your government and fellow-citizens these sentiments of admiration and affection which we cherish for your country and her cause.

MICHELE BOERO,
 And others, Consuls.

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