The Express.
London, England, 1849-07-24 00:00:00

INDEPENDENCE OF HUNGARY.

GREAT PUBLIC MEETING.
A most crowdoi and enthusiastic meeting took
place yesterday at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate wrest,
for the purpose of :pressing sympathy with that noble and
sued people the Hungarian. Toe chair we s occupied
by DAVID SALOmona BK., alderman; and amongst the
nemerous influential ;writs by whom he was supported were
the following Lord Nugent, '-M .P. Richard Cobden, Fel..
M.P., Sir Patina Wellesley, M.P.,E Osborne, Zito 11( r
Sir Ds Lacy Evens, M.P., Si, D. None's, 111 P., R. 11.
Mgagsio 4 Bilckt M. F. Mowatt, Ewe M.l' ,Wm &hole-
. M.P., J. A. Smith. Esq., M.P., Mesas. R. Tel-
ler, G. . .
Abrader, R. Williams, et:. he.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening
appear before yoe to-day under • sense of the deepest re-
the proceedings, said—l
spunsibility—a retponsibility which is, however, very much
leuened since the debate in parliament of
through every part
of the country facts which probably would have been theme-
dined had they rested on any less authority thin that of emi-
nent members of perliament and our Minister of Foreign
affairs. This meeting it not called for the purpose of up-
setting thrones, cr disseminating violent doctrines so as to
excite people against their rulers. On the contrary, it is
called to speak for an independent nation, now sought to be
put down by tt • misrule and illegality of another miles
Dissected with her, and by the efforts of a foreign
radar. (Cheep.) It is our duty, seeing • nation 100
the Hungarians struggling for their independence, and
'striving to prevent their liberties beirg put down by Russian
land Austrian bayonets—(hoer, hear)—to come here today
as freesias and Englishmen, as men of high feeling, and
morality, and religion, and to protest mains:, that wholeule
@Lighter which we MN going on ie Europe, against the
Minaime, ;and firings, and floggings, aye, the floggings of
female', too—(groass, and cries of "Shame") ; it is our
duty loudly to enter our protest against these atrocities, and
to put the pressure on our government to induce them to
interfere In nteh a manner as to put a atop to these outrages
on religion, philanthropy, and humanity. (Cheers.) There
is another view of the question a very low view—but
yet ono which I. this great metropolis ought not to be
left out of cousiderattou. We have decreed in this
eounto, by the voice of the Imperial Parliament, the free-
dom el commerce and of navigation. Oar inrest, there-
fore, lies ha the freedom of states throughout the world.
(Hear, Man) The freedom of Europe is to us • matter of
greet seineme. (Cheers.)
Mr. ALEXANDER regretted that the task of moving
the first resolution had fallen on so humble as individual as
himself, but his belonging to the Peace Society might have
led to his being plated in that position ; and it was as a
friend of poses that he appeared upon that platform.
(Cheers.) As a friend of peace he felt they were called on
to give expression to their feelings is reference to the unjust
and creel war now waging by Austria and Russia against
the lisepriges. The resolution which he had to propose
MD OS follows .
"That this meeting, without compromising individua
opinions on the subject of war, regard with sincere admire-
ties, respect, and sympathy, the noble determination of the
Hungarnn nation to maintain intact their just rights and
' the gesstitutional independence they have inherited from
thole Where, spinet the tyrannical encroachments of
Anstrion despotism." (Cheers.)
He admired the earnestness with which the Hungarians
strove to maintain their just rights, thoueh he regretted that
they had refuted them to the arbitration of the sword.
(Hear.) lie hoped this meeting would induce the repre-
sentatives of the City of London to do their duty with respect
troths Hungarian muse. (Loud cheers.) He rejoiced to
End that Lord John Russell no longer qualified the Hun-
garian struggle in the same language as he had previously
used. He hoped his lordship would be induced to use the
lailitence of his high position to persuade Austria to make
pace with Hungary on just eonditions. (Cheers.)
Mr. COBDEN, el P., on riming, was loudly cheered. He
spoke am follows :—Mr. Chairmen and Gentlemen,-1 think
that, after the demonstration of to-day, no paper will have
the audacity to say that the inhabitants of this great city are
indifferent to the state of Hungary, or to the objects of those
depots who an making such daring efforts to fetter her liber-
ties and independence. (Cheers.) I appear hero to-day,
anthem to add my mite of sympathy to that
width you are prepared to express for the interest
of the Hungarians ; and I think it right that I
shoddesplain exactly what my sympathy is, and what my
°bleats ore in coming here. (Hear, hear.) If I have one
principle more than another firmly fin d in my mind, and
one which I think it is not only necessary for the interest of
this country, but for all countries to recognise, it is this—that
the people of a separate and independent country should be
allowed to regulate their own affairs in the way which to
them may seem best, without the interference of any other
power whatever. (Loud cheers.) I make no eriseption to this
rule. I recognise as included in it the right of the Romans.
(Cheers.) 1 include within the benefit of this principle the
poorest, the humblest, and meat degraded community: for
it is no answer to my principle to tell me that certain coun-
tries are not in a state to govern themselves properly. Imy
the fact that • country is not able govern itself properly is no
reason why you should go and govern it accord:ng to your
own notions. (Cheers.) I come now to the case before us;
and es I am anxious that no time should b- lost, and
as I shall not addrem you lung, I hope to meet
with few interruptions. (Hear.) The quemion before us
Is that of Hungarian independence. (Cheers.) lied it been
a question simply between Hungary and Austria, I should
not have appeared here to-day, nor would it hays been
'mammary for any of us to have 'Teemed here tl..dxy.
(Hear, hear.) So long as the Hungarians were left to settle
their affairs with the government of Vienna, they were
genteelly competent to do it, without the interference of the
&nem of London. (Hear.) Why, I believe they hare
driven the Austrian army from their territories; therefore,
to all intents and purposes, they stand now in the insiders of
an independent nation. (Loud cheers.) So far, then, they
have by their own power been able to mental(' their inde-
pendence spinet Austria. But, my object in coming here
to-day is to protest agairst an armed intervention as unjust,
as iniquitous, and as infamous, as any that was ever perpe-
trated by any nation. (Cheers.) I come here to protest
against the Russian hordes pouring on to the plains of
Hungary; and I do so upon the principle which I laid
down at the beginning. (Cheers.) I would protest against
England sending an armed force into Hungary to tight
the battle on the other side ; and I now protest against the
English government sending an army of Englishmen to shed
its blood upon the Theis and the Danube. (Hear,
hear.) I come here to pretest against foreign, re being there
at all. (Load cheers.) And here I must say I have seen
with some astonishment,in the speech delivered by Lord
Palmerston, on Saturday ((or I was not in my place in the
Home of Commons on that day, lining had an engagement
for three weeks to go up the river on • party of pleasure
with your excellent L nel Mayor), that there is no mention
of Russia. (Hear, hear.) I say, I have seen with some
astouishment that Lord Palmerton, in making a long speech
upon the affairs of Hungary, a great portion of which was
directed to defending ;himself against what I must say wan
ridiculously unjust charges made against him in the House
of Lords on Friday, makes no mention of Russia. (Hear.
hear.) In the whole of that speech there is not one word
comment, of censure, or rebuke—not one word of the meet
moderato disapprobation against the conduct of Russia.
(Cheers.) Now, gentlemen, that is the whole question—
Russian interference. (Cheers.) I have told you I am
rest for interfering by allowing our government to send
Englishmen to fight the battle of Hungary against Amelia;
and on the same principle I now protest against Russia
going to the assistance of Austria. (Cheers.) We may be
asked why we assemble here when we are not prepared
is
follow up this meeting by an armed interfere nee c .lculated
to aid Hungary. (Hear, hear.) Well, in the first place, we
are here to express our opinion in oppositi in to despots;
and that opinion will prove to the world that we as a "np
community, abhor the conduct of Russia, while it will teach
foreign despots not to believe the preaching of a certain por-
tion of the press, when they tell them that any minister or
any government in this country can by any possibility lend
its aid to the cause of despotism. We can stop the supplies.
(Cheers.) Why, Russia cannot carry on two campiegas be-
yond her own frontiers without coming to western Europe
for a loan. (Hear, hear.) She never has done so; she has
moved an army of 30,000 men without being either
subsidised by England or borrowing money at Amsterdam.
I have had many opportunities of ascertaining and knowing
the state of Buena, having recently paid a visit there, when
I went • little behind the scenes; and I tell you Russia
cannot carry on two campaigns in Hungary without coming
to borrow money in western Europe, or robbing the
bank at St. Petersburg. (Hear.) Now, I want to know,
as a member of the peace party, if we cannot do something
to prevent Ramis or Austria from raising a loan in western
Europe again. (Cheers.) The issue of the contest mopeds
solely on that. They cannot carry on a war without either
robbing the Bank of tit Petersburg, or borrowing money
abroad. They have no one in their country from whom
they can borrow—none among their citizens can lend them
• birthing. (Cheers.) Russia (enjoys the credit of being
wealthy, solely on account of the deceit of her diplomatists,
who are clever, skilful men, and who smogs to 'signify the
nation's wealth ; but no one who has investigated
its means believes them for a moment. These are my
moral means—(cheers)—the means which I invite the
peace party, not only in England but throughout
Europe, where they are gathering in force, to up-
hold. (Cheers.) By these please I invite them to put
down the system of war loans. (Cheers.) Will any one in
the City of London dare to be a party to a loan to Russia—
(no, no)—either directly and openly, or by agency or Co.
partnership with any house in Amsterdam or Paris? Will
any citizen dare, before the citizens of this free country, to
tend his mousy for cutting the throats of an inno-
cent people? (Hear.) As for Austria, I suppose no
one would ever think of lending her mosey. (Laughter.)
Why, she has been twice bankrupt in the last 30 or 40 years,
and her paper money is again at a discount of 16 or 16
per cent. The peace party throughout the world will raise
• amide against the credit en every government that
attempts to any on an unholy war. (Hear, hear.)
Henceforth, let no am talk of Rondos resources and Russian
money. It is the poorest and most beggarly government in
Europe. It has not • farthing. Last year there was en im-
mense deficit; this year the expenditure far exceeds the M-
ann!, and so the Anancial year will he much worse. Rumen
a rick and powerful country! There is not such a gi-
gantic imposture in all Europe. (Cheers.) People talk
sometimes as though England and Englishmen were afraid
of Russia. I wish to disabuse all minds as
to ay views on
that subject. Ido not oppose Russia's advances iato Hun-
gary is the belief that, in any possible combination of events,
or any accession of territory, can Russia be is the least de-
gree dangerous to England. (Hear.) Should Russia take
say step requiring this country, or another great maritime
power, like the Visited States, to attack it, we should fall
upon It like a thunderbolt, and should crumble that empire
into pi
ng.em dreary fastnemes in six months, by the aid dour
shippi (Rear, hear.) RI a powerful country I I