Daily American telegraph., 1851-12-31
Kossuth.


rian, in urging his policy Of European interyen.
ton on the people of the United States, is not
buoyed up by the same sanguine spirit which
sustained him at his first landing on our shores
but 1t is also clear that as hope diminishes, the
tenacty of his purpose increases, and he advo-
Gates his cause with an ardor which is imprudent
because It's despairing He is certainly not aware
that, as seen from the American point of view,
there is delicacy in his position which calls for
a delicacy of sentiment and conduct towards the
people of the United States perhaps greater than
he has altogether observed towards them. A pri-
soner rescued by their interpostion from Turkish
captivity, and an honored guest to whom they
offer their consultations and protection, il strikes
a little disagreeably upon the feelings to find him
assuming the character Of a mentor and teacher
who reads them lessons of their duties and de-
faults, which no people, and assuredly no free
and proud people like themselves, ever take will
lingly from stranger. We doubt not-nor does
any one else doubt-that it is to his devotion to
his unfortunate country, and to zeal which
sacrifices everything even the rights and feelings
of friends to her cause, we owe these things
and for that very reason we endure them with
forbearance and kindness, being unwilling to
wound spirit which we know to be already lace
rated by patriotic grief with any tokens of cold
ness or dispeasure. Everybody hates to find
fault with Nj Kossuth, even when not approving
of his acts; and this is feeling which
fess to experiencing the influence of whenever
called on as we think we are at present, to take
exception to any new remarks made or positions
assumed. s.sl#.@f a.sr
In his speech at the citizens dinner given him
in this city on Friday as reported in the s'North
American and United States Gazette" next day,
occurs the following passage which will, perhaps,
CRATE more painfully upon the sensbities OF
American readers than anything which has yet
fallen from the ex governor of Hungary's lips.
Speaking of the news from France, received by
the two last steamers, he says there is nothing in
it of such n nature to arrest the question, ar
gued by him, as to what foreign policy the United
States ought to adopt and then adds:
g The news from France, transforming my pro
phecy Of being the very eve of a crisis in Eu-
rope into an accomplished fact, brings that ques-
ton of foreign policy home to your immediate
decision, which you cannot more postpone, can
not more delay, because even the very delay of
1t would be more than a delay; it would be
positive answer given to the expectations of the
world-an answer which not only l. but all the
oppressed nations of the European continent,
would exactly understand to be so much as to
say The people Of tie Untled States, (the italics
were in the original report, IN us private capa-
city, has good Wishes for die freedom Of The Euro
peaa continent Ja in us public capacity as poVsr
on earth, declares not 10 care abomu if the public
lars Of nations are respected or Uolated by the in
reference Of the strong arm Of foreign power OPP
pressing tie SPIRIT Of freedom IN whdterer country"
These words do not appear to us to be exactly
adapted to the character of petitoner-in which
light NJ kossuth approaches the government
nor even TO that of a political missionary the re-
preventative and ambassador, if even regularly
chosen and authenticated OF the oppressed peoples
OF the old word--whict IS a capacity, at least IN
/ Il L. 4. - 4
place, summary demand-it is no longer a peti-
ton, but quite positive and ultimatum-like
claim-upon the government for an answer"
which must--he says so--be Immediately rem
dered, without any hesitation or delay and,
secondly, we have an assurance that if there be
delay, he and call the oppressed nations of the
European continent" will take it for an answer
and declaration our part that in our national
capacity, whatever we may do in our private we
care nothing about the laws Of nations nor how
much soeVer the great despotic powers may op-
press the spirit of liberty in other countries
Now we may ask, in all friendship and cour-
tesy--waiying all question Of form and techinal
propriety- on what principle NJ Kossuth assumes
to recognise delay our " answer" and upon
what ground he deems himself justified in report
ing, as his Interpretation Of that delay that the
American people do not care, as above, for the
laws of nations or the wrongful and oppressive
acts Of the great powers This would be very
unfrendly and very unjust Interpretation to be
made by the Hungarian chief; and the declaration
that he will make it presents him in an attitude
We had almost said Of importunacy and coercve.
ness to those who have at least shown themselves
his friends-which it would grieye them to see
him occupy We are sorry Tor rather we are
not sorry, except on his account) to say that the
delay" which he protests against will assuredly
be encountered by him at Washington, so far as
any official reply of government or Congress to
his demand is concerned but he will not be jus.
tilted in accepting that as an "answer," or giving
it any other Interpretation than the obvious one
that the people Of the United States decline to
take the particular step which he socits them to
take The American people are not Indifferent
to the laws Of nations; they not Indifferent to
popular struggles for freedom they are not in
different to the oppressive intermeddling Of kings
in the affairs of countries beyond their own proper
rule and they arc not Indifferent TO the inter
venton principle which the great Magyar adyo.
Gates. On this subject, as we have SO often said
before the question with them is not one of right
but of expediency; and the fair and proper-and
the only fair and proper--interprotatio there
fore, to be put on their delay" would be, that
they decline to accede to M. Kossuth' particular
request, reserving to themselves the right to act
in all cases in such way as may be consistent with
their own ideas Of policy and propriety.. When
ever they think it expedient to act, they will do
so; but it is obvious they cannot permit them
selves to be instructed guided in these matters
even by one whom theyso profoundly esteem or
one IN whose cause they so sincerely sympathize
as in that of NJ. Kossuth
We may add, upon our own responsibility, that
NJ. Kossuth would, perhaps, be justified in under
standing, from the delay" alluded to, that the
people of the United States find good and suff-
cient reason for not adopting or exercising the
right of Intervention, MS urged by him, in the
circumstances of the oppressed nations of the
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