The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-04-07
The Hungarian War.

The following statement by former member of
the Hungarian Government, and prominent actor
in the movements of the past year in that country
presents a clear view of the origin and nature of
the war:
The struggle which still continues on the banks
Of the Danube and the Thesis every day attracts
more attention to the position and affairs of Hun
gary but public opinion as to the character of this
struggle is formed from imperfect information, and
from impressions which induce false conclusions
1t is in the interest of Hungary and it is my special
duty, as my name has been mixed up with some of
these events, to make known TN. precise nature of
the movement in Hungary. represented as
an episode to the revolutionary drama of the year
l848 by seeking to unite it closely with the popular
insurrection of Vienna. This is superstition
utterly unfounded, against which it is our duty to
protest The events which have taken place in
Hungary have not the slightest relation with the
revolution in Germany.
1t is true that many important changes have
taken place in Hungary, regards ideas and in
stitutions. We have abolished corvees and ninths,
and the clergy and nobility have renounced all
their ancient euds and privileges the liberty of the
press. of education, and public worship have been
established All that France obtained by her first
revolution we have obtained by reform, sanctioned
by our Parliament. 1t was not in the streets, but
in our Chamber of Deputies and Magnates, that
liberal principles triumphed. Our movement did
not proceed from the effects of revolution was
the result of protracted parliamentary conflict be-
tween the Representatives of Hungary (constitu-
tional for eight centuries) and the Austrian Cabi-
net, always absolute. The position of Hungary
with respect to the Austrian Government was essen
tally changed by the revolution of the 18th of
March, which rendered Austria Constitutional
Monarchy; from this time Hungary required fresh
guarantees for the defence Of her nationality which
consists not in the unity of language, but in the
identity of interests the smiltude Of Institutions
and all those relations created by eight centuries of
a common history between the different races of
which she is composed.
True to her ancient traditions, to her laws, to
her history, Hungary believed that the reconstruc
ton of the Austrian Empire become necessary in
consequence of the revolution of Vienna, could
only take place upon the basis of close federal
alliance between Hungary and the Hereditary
Provinces The basis was accepted by the soye-
reign. On the 1lth of April, the Emperor King,
surrounded by his family, and accompanied by his
brother, the Archduke Francis Charles, and his
nephew, the Archdukes Francis Joseph NOW the
reigning Emperor of Austria went from Vienna to
fresourg. iar the purpose of giving his solemn
isterial Government. But after the victory of Gus
tozza ana the taxing of Milan, the policy Of Austria
changed IL was no longer the federal principle,
but that OF the absolute unity of the Empire, and
OF fusion OF all the Provinces divided into small
Departments and that the Ministry of Vienna
adopted. They openly declared that the law Of
the llth of April was not in accordance with the
unity of the Empire, and the sword of the Ran
Jellachch, served as support to this declaration
War was forced upon us we accepted it, ready to
defend the Independence of Hungary, guaranteed
for three centuries by the oaths of fourteen kings
without having any idea, either then or now, Of
separation from the house of nstria. The reports
of the revolutions of the Hungarian Diet against
the historic rights Of the house of Austria are COM
pletely unfounded in fact The Clergy and the old
Conservatives, as well as the Liberals, rallied
round the standard raised in support Of the integ-
rity OF the crown of Hungary, threatened by the
Austrian Ministry; they forgot their former differ
ences in their fixed determination to sustain the in
dependence of their country, in conformity with
its fundamental laws.
AT Vienna, on the contrary, where liberty had
as yet no historic basis, it revolutionary ideas
which stirred up the people, In reality, the Wen.
nese being convinced that If the law Of the llth
April was questioned in Hungary, the concessions