American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-17
hossuth and his Measures---Why and
wherefOret

kossuth asks that the United States shall
unite with England in declaration that the
two governments will intervene TO prevent any
interference on the part of Russia in the strug
gle about to ensue between Austria and Hun
gary, and we are urged to unite in that declara-
ton by his assurance that, if made, Russia will
not interfere Among other arguments urged
! by Kossuth, he asserts that Washington's adj
vice, urging his countrymen to abstain from
entangling alliances with European nations, had
reference TO the infant state of this republic,
and not to our present condition
| Kossuth is wise man, an able and expe-
rienced debater, and developes knowledge of
our past history, and of the principles and
policy of this country, which is astonishing.
His arguments are strengthened by his elo-
quence and the peculiar circumstances which
surround him. He is an exile, the advocate of
republican principles, claiming to be the invited
guest of this country, and therefore entitled to
greater courtesy and consideration. He is not
the guest of the United States. He was an ex-
lie from Hungary, captive in Turkey, and
fearing Austrian capture and assassination. I'm
der these circumstances, England interposed
her influence and obtained his liberation; and,
prompted by Mr.. Webster, Mr.. Foote intro
duced resolution rendering him and his asso-
ciates an asylum in the United States, and the
use of a national ship to bring them to our
shores. 1es
1t will thus be seen that it was not the pur-
pose of Congress to interfere in the conflict be-
tween Russia and Hungary Nor was it their
purpose to invite Kossuth to this country in his
official capacity as Governor of Hungary. 1t
was not the purpose of Congress to recognise
his official character-much less was it the pur.
pose of Congress to intimate that the people or
Government of the United States would in any
way take part with him in any plan for the in
dependence of Hungary No one could antici
pate the demands which he now makes There
fore, nothing which the Congress has done has
in any manner committed the people or Govern
ment of the United States to aid him with men
or money, as he now proposes. Nor are we in
any wise committed to aid him by making the
declaration of Intervention which he desires.
We are therefore, as yet, at full liberty to in
| quire into the expediency of doing so or not;
and, in determining this, it is proper that we
should carefully examine what our interests and
obligations are. And what are they?
| Until Kossuth came no one has had the bold
ness to demand that we should interfere in the
affairs of European nations, for the avowed
purpose of subverting monarchical and build
ing up republican governments; until he came
no one could suppose that England could be
| inlu fn in qtrrh afr M
| Why is it that Kossuth did not in England or
in New York refer to the condition of Ireland
How can he, with the example of England in
relation to Ireland, suppose that England will
unite with us to arrest the progress OF Russia
What is there in the case Of Kossuth that gives
him greater claims to the aid or sympa-
thes of the people of the United States,
than we can find in the case of the exicd
sons of Ireland, who, trodden under the foot
of British despotism, are subject to felon's
DOOM far away from their beloved and perse
cuted country? Does not the fact that Kossuth
comes to US from England with the proposition
that we should unite with England, and make
common cause with her against Russia in sup
port of his declared purpose of subverting the
absolute governments Of continental Europe, at
the same time that Ireland is depopulated by the
tyranny of the British government, demand q
careful consideration? Why does England wish
to involve US in war with the continental
powers of Europe and especially with Russia? (?
Is it not because England looks to her East
India possessions as her chief source of wealth
and prosperity, and fears that Russia will seize
upon Constantinople, and then upon India \?
If we are bound, as Kossuth would persuade
us, to interpose in behalf of Hungary, how
much more are we bound to interpose in behalf
of Ireland; yea, and of England herself whose
exiled sons and their descendants constitute so
great part of our population?