The southern press., 1851-12-11
Kossuth Defining his Position.

hoSsuth almost exclusively occupy Tile attehtion
of the New York journalists at the present mo-
ment. The papers of that city are stuffed full
of addresses to, and addresses from, the great
Magyar, who is the popular idol at present, and
who conducts himself, under such trying crcuu-
stances, with great dignity, and more discretion
than we had been inclined, from the first reports
of his declarations, to give him credit for.
Many allowances should he made for hasty and
inconsiderate expressions on the part of man
stuated as he is, and acting and speaking under
and in the midst of such high excitements-bu
he has been rendered SO conscious of the i'm
pressions produced by his own first speeches, as
to find it necessary to put forth an explanation
The following notice which appeared simulta-
neously in the different city papers, bears the
impress Of having proceeded from his own hard
He thus defines his position
The impression having gone out through
some Of the public journals, that the purpose OF
Gov. kossuth aims at forclble intervention IN
foreign affairs We take leave to say, on author
ity, that such is not the fact. lie asks simply
that England and America shall unite in affirm
right to make and alter its political institutions
to suit its own condition and convenience and
that the two nations ENGLAND and America)
shall not only respect, but cause 10 be respected,
this doctrine, so as to prevent Russia from again
marching her armies into Hungary. He holds
that there is wide difference between a resolute
attitude, powerful enough to prevent interfer-
ence, and the going to war to rnpuise an inter
veGtion already commenced. Gov. kossuth has
not intended to suggest that America should
copy the example of France during our revolu.
tion according to the letter, but according to the
spirit. The circumstances are widely different,
and all that can be hoped is that great and free
country like this should act in behalf of freedom,
according to the time and the circumstance in
which it i'd placed
This is substantially the idea set forth by
Kossuth in England, and stops very far short of
the acquisitions which his Staten Island, and
other speeches in this country, seemed to make
upon the people of this country in behalf OF
his own. Still it opens new and very grave
questions in relation TO our future foreign poll
cy, and will doubtless enlist the attention and
most earnest deliberation of all who recognize
the difficulty of laying down the limits and de.
fning the true character of the relations exist
ing, and hereafter to exist, between this goTern.
ment and the revolutionary governments OF
Europe. We live in stirring times, and new
events and changes of circumstances require
suitable notifications of policy, to meet and
cover them. And we think, that any man who
possesses eyes and understanding, must ace
that the position and destiny of this republic
for all coming time, both witt regard to intern,
al aud external relations, are now being mould
ed and modified by the events which are taking
place in the other hemisphere, and within our
own borders.
1t is a progressive age, aud ours progresslv.
people: but all progress is not advance in the
right direction, whilst TO stand STILL in the midst
of universal movement, is to retrUgradc, if the
expression may be permitted. Hence we re-
gard the coming of kossUrII, and the impress.
sion on the public uind which the development
Of his ideas will produce, a. very grave matters,
and tending if not Immediately, yet very surely
to important results. The mere holiday pa.
geants Of his receptions amount TO nothing
but the recollection OF his words, and the revival
Of his ideas in practical forms, after his depar
ture on his chosen mission, will aud must beat
fruits. Whether those fruits will be crude and
unwhocsome, or the reverse, we clndidly con-
fess our inability 10 form a judgn mt upon
We have but heard the first peals of the thun.
der, the revctberations Of which have just CON
a. al, 60,
the remote has get returned 60 the ear OF
the most eager h. .eners, nor will f,r some tin,
10 come, nor until the fegerish excitement Of th,
reception aud presence Of this great revolutions
ry man has passed away Whenever he depart.
he will leave behind deep traces Of his visit
sowing the seeds Of new ideas at each step Of hi
progress and confoundng at once, by his course
the speculaiions of the foolish and the cAlcula
tons Of the wise.
As matter most interesting to our readers, ",
CLEAN the following additional items Of informa
ton, in relation 10 his views and proceeding
from the papers. We yesterday published wha
purported to be his reply to the Philadelphi
delegation, in which he refers to the proceed
ings Of Congress. 1t seems that an importan
paragraph was omitted in that report, whicI
we now supply from the New York Herald -
The vrginians, stopping at the Irving House
waited upon Kossuth on Monday, and presente
him with the following:
ADDRESS or The vIRGfNIaNs.
Sir lam honored in being the organ Of con
rnunication between my fellow citizens Of th
Ancient Dominion who are accidentally in tn
city, and your excellency. We come as bod
TO tender our congratulations upon your arriya
and extend cordial welcome 10 our country
We are proud in being the citizens Of Stat
tn 1 ever avowed a detestation Of tyranny i
every form, and has inscribed upon her banne
the proud motto Of SIC Sempsr uranus Stat
that gave birth 10 Washington Henry, Jeifer
son, Madison and Cay--names illuatrious il
history, and familiar to the friends Of liberty il
every cline. We trust that in due time Won vii
receive an invitation TO visit our State, and W
feel assured that you will receive that WELDON