The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-10-23

| FUNDAMENTAL law OF hungary, IL lueghi anu
unjust
Before You assert that the accusation that
the Magyar race was unjust to the other
races-by means of which a portion OF the
Servians Wallachians, Slayonians, and Ger
mans, dwelling in Hungary was excited against
us-is an impious SANDER. circulated 10y the
house of Hapsburg which shrinks from no
crime to weaken the united forces of our army,
to conquer one race after another, and thus
bring them all under the yoke of slavery.
1t is true, some of the races in Hungary had
reason to complain: but these subjects OF COM
plant were the inevitable consequence OF the
pre-existing state of things and the Austrian
interference But the Croatians had no reason
to complain This race of half a million, in n
separate province had National Assembly OF
its own, and enjoyed greater privileges than
even the Hungarians They contributed pro
portionally but half as much in taxes; they pos
sessed equal rights with Hungary whilst the
Hungarian Professionals on account of their re-
ligion, were not suffered to own lands in Croatia
Their grievances and ours were the same, in the
perpetual violation of the constitution by the
Imperial Government But their own peculiar
grievances arose from the evils of former times
and from the Austrian system of government
|
and Wallachian boundary districts on the Ger
man military footing
The moment however, our people became
free and enjoyed their political rights, they be-
came Just, and placed all things upon basis
of freedom and perfect equality. But some of
these races, blinded by the internal ISLANDERS and
suggestions of Austria, took up arms against
us. This people, who for centuries had endured
slavery fought against their own freedom God
forgive them They knew not what they did.
In America people of different languages
dwell but who says that it is unjust for Sena-
tors and Representatives to use the English
language in their debates and to make it the
official language of the Government
This was what the Magyar race asked in
Hungary. There was this difference only-that
in America it was not necessary to establish
this by law for the original settlers had stamp
ed their language in the country; but in Hum
gary law was necessary to make the Magyar
the official language The use of the Latin
language-a bad relic of the middle ages,
! which the clergy and aristocracy preserved as
something precious, initiating the a.jecnt' des-
pots who caused the laws TO be written in
y ,,S-t.ttcgs, and S4I,1S. @ ft- -T-Tr-s ..hst
the people might not understand their rights
had been retained among us. 1t was necessary
to have a living. spoken, popular language.
| And what other could we have than the noble
Magyar
How often have l. and other leaders with
| me- said to my countrymen that they must be
strictly just, and seek their future greatness,
| not in the predominance of one race but in the
perfect equality of all My counsel was adopt
ed and made the basis Of the Government The
same freedom the same privileges, without re-
gard to language or religion, the free develop
ment of each race under the protection of the
law, were accorded to all We not only
guaranteed the right to use any language in the
churches and schools, but we afforded aid for
the education and development of each nation
atty. The principle we announced was, that
either the State should protect no religion no
MISUNDERSTANDING all to the free action of
the .people-or that it should protect all alike
In the general administration, the FREEDOM
nance of our language and consequently the
race that spoke it, was necessity but in the
administration of county affairs, which in some
respects resembed that of the individual States
in North America, the use of each language
was granted. In the courts in the trial by
jury in the right of petition, in the republica-
ton OF all laws and ordinances, the various
races had the right to use their own language.
In one word nothing was left pndone which
could tend to place all on a footing Of the most
perfect equality. True, we did not-as Austria
Inns done for political purposes solely, to enslaye
all the people and make the brave Hungarians
a subordinate nation--make a territorial divi-
sion of the lands. We respected rights, and
wished to progress but were too honest to COM
mence system of spoIation. And who has
been benefited by this policy of the Vienna
hnr Oh &tAaa Al.
pretended favors have been conferred.
When those races clamored for national
rights, | boldly demanded what was wanting,
and what could be granted without injury to
the country. No one answered but reckless
men, who spoke of territorial division. The
Serviaos desired to have the comitat BAGS and
the three counties of the Banat as as separate
Scrvian State The Walachians wished to
have Pennsylvania They the Servians) did not
consider that they owned no separate portion of
the land in Hungary and that in BAGS and the
Banat were Wallachians Germans, and Mag
vars who could not be made subordinate to the
less numerous Servians So, also, in Pennsylvania
there were Magyars, Jeklers, and Saxons, who
would complain of such a connection with Wal
lachia
As there were various races speaking differ
ent languages in Hungary and divided into as
many municipalities, who could blame us for
laying the foundation of Government in Just
equality to all Croatia alone was separate
territory and how often have we said to her.
that if she would remain in union with us, we
would give her the hand of brotherhood but if
she wished to separate we would not hinder her!
We could not, however, permit such division
of Hungary as would have destroyed her as a
nation. 1t was Austria who sowed the seeds of
division and dissolution.
Citizens of America to you declare honest
ly that my aim in the federation of Hungary
with the smaller nations was to secure the ma
tionality and independence of each and the free
dom of all and had anything been wanting
which could have been Justly granted to any or
all of the races in Hungary, the Maygars had
only to know it, and it would have been per-
formed with readiness; for freedom, and not
power, was their desire.
Finally, declare that, by the Declaration of
independence by which was elected Governor
of Hungary, protest 50 long rs the people do
not by their free will release me from that Of
fee, that no one can legally control the affairs
of Government but myself This protestation
is not made in feeling of vanity or desire to be
conspicuous, but from respect to the inherent
rights OF my eountrymen. | strove not for pow
err The brilancy of a crown would not seduce
me. The final aim of my life after having lib
Grated my dear Hungary, was to end my days
as private citizen and an humble farmer
My country, in the hour of danger called up
on me to asst in the struggle for freedom.
responded to its call Others doubtless were
more able, who could have won more fame, but
will yield to none in the purity of my motives
Perhaps it was confidence in my ardent patri-
otsm and honesty of purpose which induced
the people to give me the power. They be-
licved freedom would he safe in my hands.
felt my weakness, and told them | could not
promise liberty unless they were united as one
man. and would lay aside all personal, all Sec