John Berg [et al.] (Repräsentanten des Finnischen Volkes) an Ernst Haeckel, Chicago, 24. Juni 1910
To Prof. Ernst Haeckel,
Jena,
Germany.
In our days, as never before in the history of the human race, the sentiment of liberty is voiced all over the world. Ignorance is considered a crime, prejudice and hypocrisy as belonging to past ages. Science and kowledge go triumphantly through the world creating everywhere a desire for a higher civilisation and a nobler life. Enthusiasts are found in every departement of life proclaiming liberty above all things. And wherever tyranny and darkness make an attempt to block the advancement of civilisation, the enlightened world is always ready to raise a voice of protest. Past centuries have not had the opportunity to enjoy these blessed advantages, which we enjoy today. How many educators, liberators and human benefactors have not been burned at the stake or put to death by other means! We refer to the Hypatias, the Brunos, the Servitus and the Ferrers. We rejoice over our privileges, but we blush in shame over the very fact that the history of our twentieth century has to record the martyrdom of an apostle of humanity, Prof. Ferrer; – an act, which in reality belongs to the sixteenth century.
We, the representatives of the Finnish people in Chicago, United States of America, although separated from our native land by the great Atlantic, are keeping in close contact with our homes. We know that the Russian authocracy is trying to crush the constitutional rights of Finland, and every blow at its autonomy fills our hearts with sorrow and regret. ||
We have read the protest and appeal which was made on behalf of Finland by eminent men of science and literature in Germany and Austria. We understand that you, Prof. Haeckel, are the leading spirit in that step taken. Your name is known throughout the whole civilized world. We know that you were one of the first to protest against the injustice of the imprisonment of Prof. Ferrer in Spain – the man who spent his life and his wealth for the cause of educating the Spanish children, and as a reward for his services was put to death. We thank you, Professor, for your sympathy. We thank you for protesting against the injustice done to Prof. Ferrer and last, but not least, we wish to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your sympathy shown to our native land, for the appeal you made to the civilized world on behalf of our struggling people. Your noble heart beats for all who suffer from tyranny, injustice and wrong.
John Berg
F. Spolander
J. Wahlstedt
Johan Dahlbo
John Ä. Källman
C. F. Fredrikson
Axel M. Akerman
Andrew Carlson
Andrew J. Starmans
Wiktor Carlson
Petter Backman
John W. Carlson
Erik Peterson
Amelie Peterson
Ida Nygard
Hanna Norrgard
Matilda Smith
Beata Broman
Herman Hjlsche
Herman Krasen
Ed. Nilson
Jahn Gronberg
K. Axelma Blomfeldt
Ania Blomfeldt
Tekla Palm
Alvar Engström ||
Joseph Mattson
Achäus Gießenberg
Ed. Westerlund
Jahn W. Ekblom
Axel W. Ekblom
Alarik Henrikson
Erik Thor
Henry Erikson
Hilda Walin
Matts Nylund
C. F. Johnson
Carl Emikon
Bertha Ekblom
Emil Nordman
Carl Wickstrom
Jack Raitanen
Selma Heike
Olga Lundholm
Mathilda Kullstrom
Hanna Wickstrom
Hanna Raitanen
Matilda Fredrikson
Christina Anderar
Charls O. Hallberg
John Kronlund
August G. Telenius
Sigrid Telenius
Arthur Erikson
Olga Wickman
Ina Oekenström
Armas Oekenström
Maria Svenn
Olga Lagerquist
Ida Erikson
Hillma Häggblam
Evert Sjölund
Marie Erikson
Bertha Ehrman
Hanna Smith
Anna Österlund
Anna Lipkin
Hanna Johnson
Maria Rabin
Hanno Smith
Chas Johnson
Anna Nygren
Elizabeth Arre
Tyyne Hakkinen
Senja Wainio
Ida Wainio
Gustav Blomgren
Elin A. Fredrikson
Chicago Illinois
U. S. A.
June 1910