The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-16
K o s S U T H.


The European Democracy.
About IL o'clock, the European Democratic
Societies assembled in front of the Irving House.
There were at least 5000 persons in the crowd,
with the flags Of Germany, Italy, France, and
Hungary, and the Red Banner OF Universal Re
publicanism with two or three bands OF music
When Kossulh appeared upon the balcony,
he was received with loud and oft-repeated
cheers. He was addressed by Gen. Avazzina,
on behalf of the society, in the French language
The following is the substance of the address
made by Gen. Avazzana:
General Avazaana, as chairman of the COM
mittee, addressed Governor Kossuth welcoming
him to this glorious asylum of the homeless
victims OF European tyrants, and made him ac
quainted with the obi ct of this demonstration.
Then copy of the address was given to him
in the name OF the Republican Democrats and
Socialists from Europe, now living in this great
American metropolis. The address had, how
ever, no reference to the sociastic doctrines,
being simply warm tribute OF admiration to
the heroic bravery OF the Hungarian people, and
of their worthy leader, as WI as declaration
of the necessity of the European nations to be
united, il order to overcome the common enemy,
despotsm.
The ilustrious exile listened to the address
with gre attention and then, in low tone OF
voice. and in the French language, he spoke to the
following effect:
GENTLEMEN: am exceedingly sorry, that the
actual condition of my health prevents me from
making my voice audible to this vast multitude.
Should attempt it, IL might render it impossible
for me to address men any more in the future.
NV respiratory organs are suffering to such
degree, as to tause blood to be elected from my
mouth. Nevertheless, ! may assure you, Mr..
Chairman, that If all demonstrations OF sympathy
to the political cause of my country are dear to
nv heart, those must be and ere doubly so,
which come from the democrats If the European
nations. 1t is democracy which is to stand in
the field, in the next combat against despotism;
it is by our union, the union of all the friends
of true liberty, that the hallowed cause of Euro
pean nati0naties will ultimately triumph.
In my opinion, gentlemen, democracy Is "A
principle and socialism is a system. My unre-
served adhesion is for the former. As for the
latter, beg leave to state that the great ques
tons of social philosophy are to be differently
resolved according to the peculiar conditions of
the different nations. 1t is not for me to in
quire or Judge what system may best suit the
political and social wants of other countries:
but as far as mine own is concerned, and as far
as the confidence with which my countrymeD
honor me enable me to speak 10 their name, |
: am convinced that Hungary does not want nor
wish for the application of any System OF So
cia!ism. ] may add, on the authority of the
statements made to me by Mazzini, that Italy,
too, in this respect, is quite in the same pred
cament! This analogy of the social state and
wants of the two nations, strengthens the links
that naturally now connect together hungary
and Italy, and according to which they must
henceforward act with the greatest harmony in
their revolutionary career. But fully acknow-
ledge it with you, there is necessity, not for
these only but for all nations of Europe which
are being trampled under the feet of despotism,
of joining in common endeavor against n
common enemy--the alliance of the European
tyrants.
Therefore, as an anticipated token of this
holy alliance of the nations, | heartily accept
the banner which you offer to me- Receive
my thanks, and hand to me that symbol offret :
dom and national brotherhood, in order that |
NAV held it in my grasp. Here, to make it
easier for him to hold the flag, it was partially
furled, and thus given to him.. Then, termn-
atng his speech with happy allusion 10 this
incident, let it be folded said he, for the present
We will unfurl it on the great approachin day
of the final struggle for the liberty of man.
kind .--...-
This admirable answer was delivered with a
particularly grateful although, as we before
said, low tone of voice, aud with n remarkable
correctness and fiuency Of the French language.
Kossuth asked that somebody should inform
the people of the reason which forbade him u
make public hrangue and Of the conclusion
of his answer. AS no American happened to
be among the few who had distinctly heard him,
General Avezaana requested a gentleman of the
committee to comply with the wish of the il
lustrious Magyar When the vast assemblsgr
in front of the Irving House heard the repet
ton Of the last words Of Kossuth's noble reply,
that the banner would be unfurled on the glo-
rious day of the great coming struggle, a nigh
ty shout of applause greeted both the bold pro.
mice and the hero who made IT,