Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - XI. The Government of Finland and its Future
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with religion and farming. The determination of the
Finns to have their language fully recognised was well
founded and necessary. The preponderance and even
exclusive use of the Swedish language in the schools
and in public life long after 1809 could not be admitted,
and the Finnish people undoubtedly had a right to full
national development. Only by means of their own
language could the people be fully educated, developed,
and strengthened. It would, however, be equally a
mistake to relegate the Swedish language to a
subordinate position. Those who speak Swedish are a minority
of between one-eighth and one-seventh of the whole
population; but a minority has its rights, and
furthermore it is unwise to break up the historical tradition
so long as this minority continues to represent an
essential part of the national literature and culture.
It is also a valuable means of communication with
general European civilisation that Swedish should
continue to be one of the national languages of Finland. The
efforts on behalf of the Finnish language have already
obtained equal rights for both languages in the political
and social world as well as in the schools; and
accordingly all officials must understand and be able to use
both Finnish and Swedish.
To make Russian the official language for the
higher administration, as has now been ordered, is,
on the other hand, not only against the present law,
but is unnecessary, unjust, and a hurtful and
detrimental burden on the people. In reality there
is no Russian population in Finland. Of a total of
2,700,000 persons there are 8000 of whom Russian
is the native tongue. To Russianise a people who
are so advanced in civilisation and education as the
Finns is of course an utter impossibility in our times;
but that a part of the people, and especially of the
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