The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-11
REPLY or Kossurn.

inheritors of the great legacy of liberty, which
had been won for them by the labors and sacri-
fees of their fathers, and upon being natives of
State which had given to the world such illus
trious men as those named by Major Lee. He
said in regard TO the Invitation rendered him
that he felt it proper TO say frankly, that he
should feel bound to wait for some invitation
| proceeding either from State or municipal bodies,
but would be glad to feel that the present invi-
tation would be the first link connecting him to
closer acquaintance with Old Virginia, and
ended by gracefully repeating his thanks for the
courtesy of his visitors.
A deputation consisting of ten members of
the common council of the city of New Haven,
of whom Aid Robinson was chairman, accom-
panied by a committee of ten citizens of New
Haven, Hon Alfred Blackman, chairman, waited
upon Gov. KOssuth at the Irving House yester.
day morning. The principal members of Kos
suth's suite were in attendance. Aid. Robinson,
in a few brief remarks, stated the substance Of
the resolutions which he presented. Judge
Blackman, then, in behalf of the citizens, read
the address adopted by them at meeting con-
vened to ratify the action of their city govern.
ment. The governor then desired to hear the
resolutions of the common council read at
length, which was done by Alfred III. Terry, Esq.
city clerk of New Haven.
| Gov. Kossuth addressed the populations in
reply, dwelling chiefly on the structure of those
municipal institutions and arrangements, which
were suggested by tho course of proceeding
adopted in this presentation. He said, it is a
happy circumstance that government should act,
and the people impose its ratification upon that
action. To him it seemed pleasing state of
things, this harmony of action between the gov
eminent and the people it represented. He prom
ises to visit New Haven, not for the great per-
sonal qualification it might affort him, but to
further the one object of his mission.
81 have but one motive-one idea in my visit
to America. 1t is my life. | live not on food
but on the idea of promoting the cause of free
dom in down-trodden Europe, and chiefly in my
fatherland. That is the root of my life. In all
that do, | look to see what benefit is there in
this to freedom, to Hungary? You are citizens
of New Haven in the State of Connecticut, where
education is free and universally diffused, where
taxes are low and the people are happy. History
shows eminently this truth, that you are entitled
to call yourselves freemen."
| He said it was impossible for hi m to speak
decisively in regard to the time of his visit to
New Haven. 1t was his purpose to arrange his
route Systematically, with a view to that econ
omy of time which the critical condition of pub
lie affairs made it imperative on him to regard.
The citizens of Newburg presented an ad
dress inviting Kossuh to visit the old head quar-
tiers of Washing on, to VIII: oh he made the fol
lowing reply
KoSsUTHs REPLY TO THE NEWBURG ADDRESS.
Kossuth then replied as follows Gentlemen,
| return my most hearty thanks to you and TO
those who have commissioned you to do me the
honor (Which highly value), for your generous
sentiments and kindness. My memory is reused
to the remembrance of what effects to mankind's
liberty have been produced by your revolution
airy struggle, wa ell you REGAL to my mind that
you have come from the he ad-quarters OF your
great Washington If | am not mistaken in my
recollection, we are within four days OF the an
niyersary of his death The l4th of December
is the day on which Washington died. That
day ought not to be day of mourning and sor-
, row. because to die is the fate of every man,
and Washington was subject to the common
fate of humanity as we'll as others. But to see
man die in his full age-going down the horl-
zon as clear and pure as he did, and had reas on
to do that is circumstance that must hill with
Joy the hearts of such people as you are. Such
was the halo of glory that surrounded the cath
of Washington, and the anniversary OF his de
parture from this life is not day OF mourning
and sorrow The greatest merit OF Washington
is not that he. Selected the offer OF coterle to
accept the crown of the United States. would
rather be surprised if he had accepted IT, Tor what
valre is crown to a free man-to man Ike
Washington, who was The greatest instrument
in the hand of God making his colntry free (!
Therefore do not regard that as the greatest
deed of his life-lhere are others far greater.
However, as the time and the place you offer
me to speak to the inhefitors of that freedom for
|, which Washington fought, are very appropriate,
and ! feel the great influence these circum-
stances have upon me, it is the wish OF my heart
to 90 to your town; but, from the immense
; demand upon my time, you can hardly expect to
] have yonr wish grati6ed; and these circum-
!. stances suggest to me that shall hardly have
the honor of doing it, The events Of Europe
are pointed out by the finger of God-the
words meme meme, tekei, upbdrSin," are written
so plainly on the wall, that We know not the
hour when the trumpet of the resurrection OF
the enslayed nations shall sound. And so J
must be guided by that advice, and l cannot
select my own ground or time. But you VIII
take into consideration the shortness OF the
period that may be allowed me to give practical
effect to my mission, and to secure the advance.
ment of those principles for which you have ex.
pressed almost a religious respect. ! will be
= compelled, therefore, to 60 rest where my
presence is most gratifying TO myself, or to 9th
{, ers, but wherever it is best for the cause. am
!. informed that the Chief Magietrate of the coun.
try has sent his secretary TO invite me to 60 to
. the seat of the executive government. TO
accept this invitation fee it duty owe TO the
government to which am indebted for my lib
, eration-the government that has executed in a
prompt and digni6ed manner the resolution OF
Congress, which was also the will of the people
5 of the United States ] must, therefore, 60 &c
{ Washington, for by so doing can most practi
cally carry out the great objects OF my visit tt
: this country at the present time. Newburg IL
: in the opposite direction and could not make !
t nv way to the capital. | therefore humbly en-
h treat you to allow me be persuaded that shoul'
it be within the range of possibilities, and nc
cording to the practical circumstances have re
;, ferrea to, shall go, for 1t is only impossiblit
will prevent me.
KossUTH ACCEPTS THE INVITATION TO WASHING
TON.
j. The son of the President of the United State
e has waited on Kossuth, to-day, to call him in hi
e fathers name to the seat of the federal govern
y tnenl and X oaauth "A practical man, has nc