The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-03 00:00:00

HUNGARIAN SUFFERINGS. revolutions involve war, and war we all deprecate if
MEETING IN WALES. it can he honourably avoided. But he could not
A numerous and highly-respectable meeting wt a believe that a government that bad acted as that of
held on Friday, the 28th of December, in the csunty Austria had done, could hope to escape revolution. It
hall of Merionethshire, at Bala, to express sympathy will be asked (continued Mr. Johnes) what will be
with the Hungarians, and to memorialise the Govern- the advantage of holding such meetings as ours of to-
rrent to interfere in their behalf. day ? My opinion is decided that such meetings
Notwithstanding the secluded character of the spot cannot fail to have an influence on the fortunes of
where the meeting was held, the season of the year, those who have been martyrs in the cause of' humanity
the hour of the night, and the severity of the weather, —that they will have a direct tendency to restore to
which was most severe, the ground being covered their native land, and to honour and power in that
with ice and the mountains clothed in snow, the hall country, those who are at present enduring the
presented, at six in the evening, a large assembly, penalties of confiscation and exile. (The speaker
collected not merely from the town but from the sur- here read an extract containing an interesting ac-
rounding country, and many individuals had come count of the generous treatment experienced
from remote parts of North Wales. It will be gratify- by Kossuth and his companions from the
ing to the friends of Hungary to learn that many of Sultan, and a touching account of the hos-
the gentlemen who took a leading part in the pro- pitality and kindness evinced towards them
ceedings are either Conservative in their opinions, or by the Turkish inhabitants of Widdin, and a
men of moderate views in politics; and among the description of the departure of the exiles from that
speakers were individuals belonging to all religious place to Shumla, and of Kossuth's addresses to the
denominations. Hungarian, Polish, and Italian troops. He
Mr. RICHARDSON, of Aberhirnant, who took the then read a passage descriptive of the present
chair, is a gentleman of large landed property in the feeling of the population of Hungary, and
neighbourhood of Bala, and who has never taken any drew particular attention to an incident which lately
active part in politics, and is generally esteemed for occurred at a play in the theatre of Pesth ; when an
his charitable and benevolent disposition. Nothing allusion was made in one scene to " the return of the
could exceed the enthusiasm displayed as the different absent," it was referred to Kossuth and his compa-
speakers addressed the meeting, which we entertain no nions, and received by the entire audience with a burst
doubt is virtually expressive of the general sentiments of enthusiastic applause which the Austrian authorities
of-North Wales. Bala, though a very small town, is did not dare to check.) The speaker then proceeded
the seat of two academies, one belonging to the Welsh --If the maintenance of the Ottoman Empire was a
Calvinistic Methodists, and the other to the Welsh matter of policy in former days, in our times the
Independents. The heads of these two institutions, claims of state policy are united with those of a higher
who are both highly esteemed by all classes, were and more generous nature, Is there any man who
among the speakers; and there can be no doubt that hears me who does not feel that the character of the
their sentiments are in unison with those of the entire British nation is irrevocably pledged to the defence of
body to which each of them belong. In Wales, as a people who have acted in the manner that the Turk-
is generally known, the great bulk of the people are ish people have done, and that our highest respect is
dissenters. due alike to the exiles in Turkey and to their
Letters were read from John Williams, Esq , generous and courageous defender and host, the
M.P., and from R. G. Temple, Esq., Judge of the present Sultan ? I feel the strongest con-
Staffordshire County Courts, expressing their inabi- viction that the present state of affairs in Austria
lity to attend, but declaring their earnest sympathy cannot possibly last. Metternich, who for half a
with the objects of the meeting. century had ruled that empire, was in the habit of
Mr. RICHARDSON, on taking the chair, said that saying, "After me, the deluge"—and the deluge came
he was happy to see so very large an attendance, and before his death—a deluge caused like that of the
it was a cause of happiness also to see the meeting ancient world by the crimes and wickedness of those
graced with the presence of so many of the fair sex. that it overwhelmed. The insurrection has been put
It was to be understood that they had not met there down in Italy—it bas been put down in Hungary,
to agitate any hostile opposition to constituted au- but let us look beyond the present. Is a revolution
thorities, but to express their sentiments and feelings less likely to break out a second time than it was
with regard to the great cruelties and oppression before it broke out in the first instance ? The sup-
inflicted upon the Magyar population in Hungary. pression of the revolution has been accompanied by
A. J. JOHNES, Esq., Judge of the Merionethshire misfortunes of the people and by crimes on the part
County Courts, moved the first resolution : of the rulers that have still further weakened the
" That this meeting, viewing with extreme horror and powers of government. Let it not be thought that I
disgust the deceitful and tortuous policy of the Austrian for a moment allude with any feelings of exultation
Government towards the Hungarian nation, and the to the prospect of further convulsions, which, if they
unparalleled atrocities perpetrated by that power, aided bring punishment to the guilty, will also involve in
by Russia, on those brave people, calls upon all free suffering many innocent men. I express to you these
nations both in Europe and America, as they value the views for the purpose of conveying to you the
institutions under which they live, emphatically to peti- conclusion I have formed that:nothing can avert new
tion their respective Governments to exert their utmost
convulsions but an entire change ,of principles, a
influence to obtain for the Magyar people a restoration
of their ancient constitutional liberties, and for those return to the dictates of justice and humanity, and
individuals of their race who are now unjustly endur. the dismissal by the Emperor of advisers whose
ing the penalties of confiscation and banishment, resti- hands are stained with the blood of virtuous
tution of their property, and liberty to return to their and patriotic men. The Government of Austria
native land." has commonly ascribed the awful scences
He said 'that he should `consider it a violation of which have recently taken place throughout its
duty to address that meeting from the place where he dominions to difference of language. What value can
stood, the seat from which he usually discharged his be attached to this explanation we are, in this prin.
judicial duties among them, on any question of a po• cipality, in a good position to judge. I do not
litical character, because whatever might be his own believe that if the Government of Austria were
private opinions his connexion with Merioneth- composed of men of principle and humanity, that the
shire arose entirely from the office which he held, Hungarians would have any wish to separate from
which was one of a judicial nature. Moreover, he their fellow-subjects. One of the constant aims of
felt that he owed the honour he enjoyed of holding Austria has been to suppress the Magyar language-
-the office to the good feeling of men of all political an act of pure folly, for, with the advances of intern•
parties, though he was more especially indebted to the Bence, it was quite certain that the people would either
Lord High Chancellor as his patron. The present, retain or abandon their native language, as might
however, was an occasion that had nothing to do be best, for the public good. Have the English
with party feelings, and he rejoiced to see there pre- Government lost anything by pursuing an opposite
sent men like the worthy Chairman, who, like himself, course in Wales ? In conclusion, let me iris-
would not have taken a part in the proceedings could press upon you that the power of public opinion
a party character be ascribed to them, and who had is one to which, in the present day, no limits
taken the matter up as one that concerned the common can be placed. This power does not consist, as
feelings of humanity. According to Dr. Pritchard, some suppose, in the mere influence of fear. Permit
and other learned writers, the east of Europe in early me to give you an inference drawn from my daily
times was inhabited by three great races, the Celts, the experience which teaches me that men who will set at
Germans, and the Sclavonians. The whole of Hungary defiance any punishment the law can inflict upon
was originally inhabited by Sclavonian tribes, the them will nevertheless shrink from the hatred and
Hungarians or Magyars were a conquering tribe, condemnation of their fellow-men. There is no man
that came from the far east and established themselves so bad as not to wish to possess the good opinion of
in the centre of the Sclavonians, who became subject his fellows, and the same rules of human nature which
to them, and the Croatians are their descendants apply to men in humble life extend to the motives of
ruled by the Magyars as an inferior race. But with those who live in courts and camps. We must all
the present day commenced a different spirit. The remember what was done by Clarkson and Wil-
Migyar nobility, acting in unison with the age in berforce, yet the power with which they
which they lived, liberated their serfs, gave equal worked was purely a moral power—that power
laws to all races and sects, and their reforms were in in our day has been immeasurably in-
progress when the late war commenced. Moreover, creased. Since Wilberforce has been gathered to his
the Magyar nobility not only freed their serfs, but fathers, the power of the press and of education has
gave large, grants to improve their condition and to gone on advancing; steam navigation and railroads
promote their education. One of the largest landed have united together the most distant lands. You
proi.rietors in Hungary gave the entire rental of may travel from Bala to Pesth in less time than
his estates for one year to the education of the you could have gone from Bala to London a hundred
people. And the same spirit of munificent generosity years ago. I feel assured that great and extensive
in the cause of their country generally character- benefits will flow from this meeting. Lord Bacon
iced the conduct of the whole body to which he said he would leave his reputation to the care of future
belonged. He mentioned these facts to show how ages and of distant nations, and by the same test
entirely untrue are the statements which have been must the oppressor and the oppressed eventually
so industriously circulated by a portion of the English stand or fall. From this remote spot, not agitated
press, under influences which may be surmised, that by any political feelings, and when nothing but the
-the differences between the Austrian Government and sentiments of humanity can have prompted those
the Hungarians were the work of revolutionists and present, the expression of
opinion which emanates
demagogues ; the truth being, that they arose in the from those assembled will be n impressive response to
acts of men who occupied the same place that Lord such an appeal.
Porvis does in Montgomeryshire, and Sir Robert W. Rev. M. Jonas, tutor of the Independent Academy,
Vaughan, in Merionethshire. The immediate cause of in seconding the resolution, addressed the meeting in '
the war which broke out was a law passed in the Hun- Welsh. He did not feel that it was requisite to say
garian Diet, giving perfect religious toleration to Pro- much on the subject, but he felt extremely gratified
testants and other denominations throughout the Hun- in being present to aid the good work the meeting
garian territory, and it was for this that Batthyany and had in view.
Kossuth, both of whom were Catholics, have endured The second resolution, moved by 0. RICHARDs,
what has-since taken place. In addressing a Protes- Esq., F.R.C.S., and seconded by the Rev. L. ED.,
tent assembly he would ask them with what other WARDS, which was carried unanimously, was—
feelings than• those of gratitude can we recur to the " That the noble conduct of the Turkish Sultan in
acts of tl!ee two great men, and with what feelings refusing to comply with the iniquitous demand of
but those ef. detestation can we refer to the cruelty Russia and Austria for the extradition of Kossuth
which has .been inflicted upon them. The former, and the other Hungarian and Polish refugees, has
though descended from a family that saved the Aus- excited universal admiration throughout this coun-
trian empire-from destruction, a man whose muni-
try ; that the thanks of this meeting be tendered to
ficent generosity-was never withheld, whose last
Lord Palmerston (of whose general policy it highly
approves) for having energetically supported the
-words were for his country, vise murdered with Turkish Government in their resistance to this un-
atrocities that never will be forgotten. The latter, paralleled aggression, and that his Lordship be assured
Kossuth, has- been industriously represented by a that his efforts to preserve the independence of an ancient
portion of the'English'Press as a factious and selfish and valuable ally of the British nation will re-
demagogtte, who promoted his own interests at the ceivo the cheerful and ready support of all classes in this
expense of his country, and who, when he was driven country, provided that the Turkish Governmedt adheres
from it, tools away with him the Hungarian crown. to its original resolution, and whilst it affords protection
The principle. whjch guides. these writers will be well to the refugees imposes no restraint on their personal
judged of when it, is stated that Kossuth was so in- liberty."
different to his-own personal affairs in his zeal to pro- The third resolution was moved by R. H. ANWYL,
mote the interests of his country, that the leading Esq , and seconded by the Rev. JOHN PARRY, and
nobility of Hungary, in a manner equally honourable carried unanimously :
to him and to themselves, subscribed together to .‘ That this meeting, while regretting that a portion
furnish him with a liberal. income, which he declined of the English press prostituted itself to the infamous
to accept. With difficulty he was afterwards induced service of defending the cruel oppressors of Hungary by
to accept a salary from the public purse, to which his smisrepresentingten r
sthe s noble e
sitl
tt
agnakr isatno
tnhaet i on
conductors, at the
tiservices justly entitled him; but he dispensed the of those journals, both metropolitanand provincial, which
greater part of it in charities. To return to the im- have given their consistent and continued support to the
mediate cause of the war. The law of toleration cause of Hungarian independence."
passed by the Diets was unpalatable to the Croatians, Mr. R. H. ANWYL in moving the above resolution
a barbarous race, much under the influence of the delivered a very able and eloquent speech, which was
Jesuits, and they railed an armed force to highly cheered throughout. We regret that want of
resist the law, under jellachich. The Hunga. space precludes our inserting it.
rian Diet applied to the Austrian Government The fourth resolution, moved by Mr. SIMoN JONES,
for advice, and received in reply a direction to enforce seconded by Jour./ JONES, Esq., and carried, was—
obedience to the law they had passed. Now, will any " That the prompt and energetic co operation of the
man be prepared to believe that at the very time the President of the Government of France with the British
Austrian Government were giving this advice, they Government in upholding the independence of the
were secretly instigating the Croatians to rebellion, Turkish Sultan, is an event which has excited the liveliest
and actually furnishing them with arms for the pur- feelings of gratification in the minds of the inhabitants
pose ? Was there ever before in the whole range of of the British empire, who have bailed the union of the
history baseness and atrocity equal to this on the part French and the British flag on the present occasion as
of any Government ? Governments have occasionallyfuture
been bad enough to sow disaffections and excite war tnwaotiognrseawt choousnetcnoens;esatnedinatsimaens
pauasgtuhryavthae been
among the subjects of a hostile state, but Austria pro- mity to Europe, will henceforward be joined togeatheeer la-
among
is the first instance of a government so the defenders of the rights of civilization and humanity,
deeply depraved as not to shrink from excit- and as the protectors of the oppressed throughout
th's,
ing civil war amen its own subjects, and world."
treacherously driving two races, both under The fifth resolution, proposed by Mr. WILLIAMS
the rule of the same emperor, to imbrue and seconded by EDWARD WALKER, Esq., of Dol.
their bands in the blood of each other. What would gelley, was
be thought of Lord John Russell or of Sir Robert "That this meeting begs to express its gratitude to
Peel, if either of them were guilty of so detestable an Lord Dudley Stuart, the tried friend and patriotic ad-
act as that of exciting the Protestants and Catholics vocate of the oppressed people of Hungary, and to all
those public men who have devoted their energies to the
of Ireland to a civil war, in order that the Govern-
same cause."
ment of England might profit by the common mis- Mr. WILLIAMS said that he had often had the
fortunes and common sufferings of both, and by their pleasure of hearing his Lordship advocating the claims
mutual weakness, which would be the result ?
There is not an eminentof humanity in the metropolis, and was certain that
statesmanthe in this country, if all at the meeting had experienced the same
be his party politics what
pleasure in hearing his Lordship they would feel the
in an instant sacrifice office and power,
who would not
poverty and privation,ratheris than be
n power, and endure same delight as himself in proposing such a resolution.
of such crimes. But this noth the first time
guilty Carried unanimously.
that the Government of Austria
in the Mr. T. D. ROYLE then read the memorial which
same manner. Lord Holland, in his plalicse ttel(ii House was proposed to the meeting, and moved its adoption.
of Lords, used the memorable expression, G. P. LLOYD, Esq., seconded the motion, which was
would
and"it3hat
when there was anything cruel, treacherous,adopted unanimously.
to be done in Europe, the Austrian Government -50 The different speakers were vociferously cheered
be sure to do it." When pressed by Lord el?itv
repeated
to qualify what he had said, he declined, and rthroughout, and the only matter of regret seemed to
the expression. Lord Holland was a man whos his- be that the meeting had come to a close, although it
had lasted for several hours, and many of the auditors
torical knowledge was most profound. Events have
had several miles to walk over the hills before reaching
shown that they are merely descriptive of the true, their homes.
character of those to whom they alluded. Lord
Holland has long been gathered to his fathers
and it is only a few years since the Austrian
Government excited an insurrectiou in the Polish
province of Gallieia among the serfs against the
nobles. A price was set upon the heads of the
unfortunate magnates of that province, and they were
murdered almost to a man. What has occurred in
Hungary, detestable as it is, is nothing more than a
repetition of what occurred in Gallicia, sad is in
strict accordance with the emphatic language of Lord
Holland. He (Mr. Johnes) was no friend to revolu-
tions, because, although he desired to see progress,
revolutions were a lottery which may throw power
into the hands of the base as well as of the good, and

CHESTER AND IIOLTnEAD.—The action of the
heavy tea upon the embankment in the vicinity of Pen-
maenmawr has been productive of some damage and not
a little inconvenience ono line of rails having subsided
for some yards. The Parliamentary train leaving
t r at eight A,31. passed over cn Thursday as usual, but
the tan o'clock train had to retrace its steps about threa
milts, and got on the inner or land line, which now only
can be used by the up and down trains. The evening.
mail on Saturday night had to he posted from Ponmaen-
naawr to Llanfair, the sea having completely submerged
the railway; and some delay in transmission has neces-
sarily been occasioned. The trains, however, now pass
and repass as usual, taking the single line. The
damage will be repaired forthwith.—North Watts
Chronicle.