The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-12-18
GREAT SPEECH OF KossUTH AT THE NEW YORK
BANQUET

On Thursday night last banquet was
given to Louis Kossuth. Hon. A. e. Kings
land Mayor, presided. Letters were read from
Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, Lewis Cass, Gen.
Shields, and others-also, from Gov. Hunt,
Senator Seward, &c.
Mayor Kingsland made a speech honoring
the Governor and champion of Hungary
stating that it was through his efforts that FIVE
millions ofeeerfs were raised to the rank Of
freemen, and that popular rights and political
equality were established He closed by saying
| awe have proclaimed to the world the inhe-
rent and indeieasible right Of every nation To
choose its own rulers and establish ita own laws
He-Hungary asks u.s. by the voice of her mos
gifted and devoted son. as one of the grea
family of nations, to claim for her the free ex
ercse of that fundamental right. | am sur,
there is no aid which can be Justly and properly
extended in 80 holy cause that the people o
the United States will not freely grant Gen
tlcmen, give you
| Observation-Disclosures, but not subdued. Hel
call for help is but the echo of our appeal
against the tread of the oppressor."
Kossuth here rose, and the moment his form
was discovered, the whole assembly rose to their
feet and broke forth spontaneously with m
frantic cheering rs we ever heard Again and
again the plaudits rose until it seemed as ifthe
man of the evening would never get hearing
At last however, the applause subsidized and he
spoke as follows:
Sir; In returning you my most humble thanks
c,r l. H..
the benefit Of coupling my humble name with
that cause which il tho sacred aim of my life,
confess to be 40 overwhelmed with emotion by
all it was my prodigous lot to experience since
am on your glorious shores, that unable to
find words to express my feelings and knowing
that all the honor meet with has the higher
meaning Of principles, at once beg leave to
fall back to my duties which are the lasting
topics Of my reflections, my sorrows and my
hopes. | take the present occasion for highly
important opportunity ] take il for such as
will probably decide about the success or failure
of my visiting the United States must there
fore humbly embrace your indulgence for a
pretty long plain, and in no case eloquent de-
velopment of my humble views TO the benefit of
that cause which the citizens of New York, and
you particularly, gentlemen, honor with gen.
er0us sympathy
When consider the sympathy of the people
Of the United States for the cause of Hungary,
10 generally diffused as to be almost universal
and 10 resolutely pronounced rs men pronounce
those feelings, which are intended to be fol- |
lowed by noble and great deeds, | would feel |
inclined to take your generous aid for the res |
toration Of my native land to its sovereign inde-
pendcnce, already as granted in principle, and |
for me nothing left to do but TO enter into |
negotiation about the arrangement of the |
details, were my confident hopes not checked |
by that idea Of non-interference in foreign |
chiefly European, affairs, which, according TO
the numerous testimonials Of your most dstin.
guished politicians, we are told TO be one of the
ruling and lasting principles of the policy of
the United States
highly respect the source of this conviction,
gentlemen. This source IL your religious at
tachmcnt to the doctrines Of those great men
who highly proved TO all posterity their wis
dom, by bequeathing tn you the immortal
work Of that Constitution which, aided by the |
unparalleled benefits Of nature, has raised you |
in the short period Of seventy-fve years, from
the precarious position Of an infant people to |
the prodigions strength of giant nation. The
beneficial results Of the wisdom Of the founders |
Of your great Republic you zee in n happy re-
atty. What would be the consequences Of the |
departure from that wisdom you are not sure |
oft. II IL, therefore, natural that you feel an |
instructive fear TO touch. even with improving |
hands, the dear legacy Of those great men.
And rs to your glorious Constitution, all hui
manty can only wish, in the common interest |
Of mankind, that You and your posterity may
yet long conserve this religious attachment to |
ts fundamental principles, which by no means
exclude development and progress; and that |
every citizen Of your great Union thankfully |
the immense benefits Of the |
may, even in the moments Of the |
most passionate irritation, never forget 10 love
hat Constitution more than the momentary pas |
non Of his heart or the egotistical interest Of the
passing hour. May every citizen Of your glo- |
'ious country forever remember that partial |
discomfort OF corner in large, sure, and |
omfortable house, may be we'll amended with |
'ut breaking the foundation Of II; and that
.mongst all possible means Of getting rid Of
hat corners partial discomfort the worst would !