The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-17
9-B The Union, of Sunday last, contains the
following editorial on KossUTHs last speech

KossUTH AT THE MUNICIPAL BANQUET II
New YoRK-1 lie pressure upon our columns
this time-almost unprecedented at 80 early 1
period of the session-compels us to omit il
this days paper the publication of the speech OF
the illustrious Hungarian upon the occasion OF
the banquet in his honor, given by the munich
pal authorities of New York.
| This great Grafton will be universally read
and cannot fail to produce a profound and per.
mansnt impression on the public mind With
out undertaking, after the very cursory perrsal
which we have been able as yet to give it, to
concur in all its conclusions and suggestions,
we cannot refrain from expressing strongly our
| admiration, and even our establishment, ut the
vast and various ability which il exhibits Be-
sides augmentation and rhetorical power of a
very rare and high order, The speech displays a
familiarity with the history and policy of our
government which, under the circumstances is
little less than marvellous. 1t is characterized
throughout by spirit thoroughly practical and
It sets FORTH in an attitude and light at once
most original and imposing, all the great ideas
and principles to which the life of its author has
hitherto been, and is hereafter TO be, consecrated
The effect of the speech upon the numerous
and highly respectable company which listened
to it, appears to have been quite as remarkable
AS its character. The orator was throughout
cheered and applauded to the echo; and when,
at the conclusion OF the address, member of
the city council proposed that the three practical
suggestions which it contained as to the action
of the government of the United States should
stand as the resolutions of that meeting, the vote
was carried with unanimous acclsmations.
This was more than an oratorica triumph !:
though, considering the character of Kossuth's
propositions, it was in that sense alone, almost
unprecedented in this country before such an
auditory. Such a vote was the declaration Of
that intelligent assembage that the coming of
kossuth to our shores was political event, and
that both his invitation and his reception have
political significance.
IL Is now, as we conceive, altogether too late
to deny either of these propositions. The &C.
ton which has been taken in one branch of Con.
gress upon the subject will likewise, beyond
question, both here and elsewhere, receive a
similar Interpretation. The action which we
mny anticipate in the House of Representatives
will also be regarded as of the same character.
Nor can any ,ubt be entertained at this time
that such action will, in its whole significance,
be loudly and generally approved by the people
and by the public press Here and elsewhere
our government and our people will be regarded
as joining in the manifestation of their cordial |
approval of the Hungarian cause, and of their
stern and unhesitating condemnation of that
absoutist policy by which, for the time, that
cause has been broken down
Beyond this point, nothing which our govern
ment at this time will do or demonstrate is, as
we conclude, to proceed; and up to this point,
we hold it to be clear that our people and our
government both in respect of principle and
policy, are assuredly in the right. 1t is proper
n itself, and fit upon this occasion, that our
country should go thus far. AS nation, we
oppose our national opinion, in high and solemn
orms of expression, to the bayonets of Russian
Intervention. 1t is moral and not a material
oower-yet, as we believe, not the less mighty |
n its ultimate consequences, because it is not
material