The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-11-10
OHIO, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1S4a
Kossuth'sLetter to Lord PaImerston
WIDDEN, TURKEY, J Sep. go.

happy Hungary, assuredly worthy of a
better fate.
1t was not prompted by the spirit of dis
order, or the ambitious views of faction;
it was not revolutionary leaning which
induced my native country to accept the
mortal struggle maintained so gloriously.
and brought, by nefarious means, to so
unfortunate an end.
Hungary has deserved from her kings
the historical epithet of''generous nation,"
for she never allowed herself to be sur
passed in loyalty and faithful adherence
to her sovereigns, by any nation in the
world.
Nothing but the most revolving treache-
ry, the most tyrannical oppression, and
cruelties unheard Of in the words of histo-
ry-nothing but the internal doom of an
Inhalation to her national existence, pre-
served through thousand years. through
adversities so numerous, were able to
rouse her to oppose the fatal stroke aimed
at her very life, to enable her to repulse
the tyrannical assault of the ungrateful
Hapsburghs, or to accept the struggle for
life, honor and liberty, forced upon her.
And she has nobly fought that holy battle,
in which, with the aid Of Almighty God,
she prevailed against Austria, whom we
crushed to the earth, standing firm even
when attacked by the Russian giant, in
the consciousness Of justice, in our hope
in God, and in our hope, my lord, in the
generous feeling Of your great and glori-
Gus nation, the natural supporter of justice
and humanity throughout the world. But
this is over; what tyranny began has by
treachery been concluded; on all sides
abandoned, my poor county has fallen,
not through the overwhelming power of
two great empires, but by the faults, and |
may say the treason, Of her own sons.
To these untoward events | pray God
that my unhappy country may be the only
sacrifice, and that the true interests of
peace, freedom and civilization throughout
the world may not be involved in our un-
happy fate. - '
Mr.. Francis Pulsky, our diplomatic a.
gent in London, has received ample in
formation as to the cause of this sudden
and unlocked for change in the affairs of
Hungary, and is instructed to communi-
cate it to your excellency, if you are gra-
ciously pleased to receive the same. 1t is
not antipathy to Austria, though so well
merited at the hands Of every Hungarian.
but true conviction which makes me say
that even Austria has lost far more by her
victory, gained through Russian aid, than
she would have lost in merited defeat
through honorable arrangement. Fallen
from her position as first power, she has
forfeited her sell.consistency, and has sunk
into the obedient instrument of Russian
ambition and Russian command. u.
Russia only has gained at this sangui-
nary game; she has extended and strength
ened her influence in the east of Europe,
and threatened already, in fearful man
ner, with outstretching arms, not only the
integrity, but the moral basis Of the Turk
ish empire.
May it please you, my lord, to allow me
to communicate to your eXcellency most
revolving condition which the Turkish gov
ernment, at the suggestion OF Russia, is
about to impose upon us poor homeless
exles.
|, the Governor of unhappy Hungary,
after having, | believe, as a good citizen
and honest man, fulfilled to the last my
duties to my country, had no choice left
me between the repose of the grave and
the inexpressble anguish Of expatriation.
Many of my brethren in misfortune had
preceded me on the Turkish territory
| followed thither, in the hope that should
be permitted to pass to England, and there
under the protection ofthe English people
"a protection never yet denied to perse-
cuted man--allowed to repose for while
my wearied head on the hospltable shores
of your happy island.
But even with these views would rath-
er have surrendered myself to the deadli-
est enemy than cause any difficulty to the
Turkish government, whose situation
well knew how to appreciate, and there
fore did not intrude on the Turkish terri
tories without previously inquiring wheth-
er | and my companions in misfortune
would be willingly received and the pro-
lection of the Sultan granted to us.
We received the assurance that we
were welcome guests, and should enjoy
the full protection of his majesty the Pu-
disha, who would rather sacrifice $4,000
men of his own subjects, than allow one
hair of our heads to be injured.
1t was only upon this assurance that we
passed into the Turkish territory, and ac-
cording to the generous assurance, we
were received and tended on our journey,
received in Widden as the Sultan's guests,
and treated Hospitality, during four weeks,
while waiting from Constantinople further
orders as to the continuation Of our sad
journey to some distant shore. ~
Even the ambassadors of England and
France, to whom ventured in the name
of humanity to appeal, were so kind as to
assure me of their full sympathy.
His majesty, the Sultan, was also so
gracious as to give me deciGednegatiye