The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-12-18

was invested with the kingiy crown of Hunga.
ry. Even more: hisindependence of Hungary
was acknowledged to makea part Of the in
ternational law Of Europe, and was guaranteed
not only by the foreign European Govern
ments such as Great Britain, but also by seve-
raj of those, when yet constitutional nations,
which belonged formerly to the German, and,
| after Its dissolution, to the Austrian Empire.
This independent condition of Hungary is
clearly defined in one of our fundamental laws
of 1871, in these words: Hungary is a free
and independent kingdom, having its own self.
consistent existence and constitution, and not
subject to any other nation or country in the
world" This, therefore, was our ancient right
We were not dependent from, nor part Of the
Austrian Empire, as your codntry was depend
ent from England. 1t was clearly defined that
we were to Austria nothing but good neighbor-
hood, and the only tie between us and Austria
was, that we elected to be our kings the same
dynasty which were also the sovereigns of Aus
tria, and occupied the same line of hereditary
succession of our kings; but by accepting this
our forefathers with the consent of the king
again declared that though she accepts the
dynasty to be our hereditary kings all the
other franchises. rights, and laws of the nation
shall remain in full power and intact and our
country shall not be governed like the other
domlnlons of that dynasty, but according to our
constitutionally Established authorities. We
would not belNg u the Austrian Empire, be-
cause that Empire did not exist while Hungary
did already, nearly two years exist and existed
some two hundred and eighty years under the
Governmentsof that Hapsburgian dynasty.
The Austrian Empire, as you know, was only
established In 1906, when the Rhenish confed-
eracy OF Napoleon struck the death blow to the
German Empire, of which Francis II of Austria
was not hereditary, but elected Emperor.
That Hungary had belonged to the German
Empire that is thing which no man ever i'm
agned yet 1T is only now when the Hapsbur-
gan tyrant processes the intention to melt Hun
gary INTO the German Confederation. But YOU
know tins intention to be in 80 striking opposi-
ton to the European public law, that England
ana France solemnly protested against this in
tention, which is not carried out even TODAY
Ihe German Empire having died its late EN-
Peror, Francis, also King of Hungary. has estab-
lished the Austrian Empire in Se6 but even in
that fundamental charter of the new estab-
llshed Austrian Empire he solemnly declared
that hungary and its annexed provinces are
:. Z. ~ Ss.c-,-- :. e's s
Austrian Empire Snhsao,,entlv we entered
WIN tLs rp'nirslrtn ,s1s 5os,,,sa,c ,,,e1e,s-
aOn :. %, Ou. ,iSngafy, as wen as ,.o.nparuy
and Venice, not making part of the Austrian
Empire, remained again separated, and were
not entered into the Confederacy The laws
which | succeeded to carry in ,1s4S did, of
course, nothing alter in that old chartered con-
diton of Hungary. We transferred the peas
antry into freeholders, free proprietors, abol-
ished feudal membranes. We replaced the
political privileges of aristocracy by the common
liberty OF the whole people; gave political repre-
sentatlon to the people for the legislature; trans
formed our municipal corporations into demo-
cratic corporations; introduced equality in
rights and duties, and before the law, for the
whole people; abolished the immunity of taxa.
ton Of the nobility; secured equal religious
liberty to all, secured liberty of the press and
OF association; provided for the public gratui-
tous instruction for the whole people of every
confession and Of whatever tongue but not in
Jurng, In any way, the rights of the King We
replaced our own aristOcratical constitution by
a democratic constitution, founded upon nearly
universal suffrage Of the whole people-of what
ever religion, Of whatever tongue All these
were, as you see, internal reforms which did
IN no way interfere with our allegiance to the
King, and were carried lawfully in peaceful
legislation with the sanction of the King.
Besides this, there was another thing which
was carried. We were formerly governed by
a Board of Council, which had the express duty
to govern according to sure laws, and be re-
sponslble for doing So but we saw by long ex-
perience that this responsibility is an empty
sound, because corporation cannot really be
and here was the reason why the
absolutstcal tendency of the dynasty succeed
ed to enoroaoh upon our liberty So we re- 1
placed the Board of Council by Ministers the
empty responsibility of board by the individ-
ual responsibility of men-and the King con-
sented to it. myself was named by him Min
lster of the Treasury. That is all But pre-
cisely here was the rub. The tyrant could not
bear the idea that would not give to his am
dictionary disposal the life-sweat of my people
he was not cOntented with the 81 500 600 loans
which we generously appropriated to him year.
ly. He would have his hands in our pockets.
and he could not bear the idea that he should
never more be at liberty to dispose without any
control OF our brave army, and to crush down
the spirit of freedom in the world Therefore he
resOrted to the most outrageous conspiracy, and
attacked us by arms, and by false report of a
victory which never was won, issued proclama-
ton declaring that Hungary shall not more ex-
st-that its independence, its Constitution, its
very existence is abolished, and it shall be melt
ed, like farm or fold, into the Austrian En-
pire. To this we answered, "Thou shalt not
exist tyrant but we will" and we banished
him, and issued the declaration of our indie
pendence. So you see, gentlemen, that there
IS very great difference between yours and
ours-it is in our favor. There is another sim
lar difference You declared your independ-
Io, btf,I if Woud
be successful We doubted ours when we, in
legitimate defence, were already victorious
when we had beaten our enemies, and so
proved before our declaration, that we had
strength and power enough to become one OF
the independent Powers on earth. One thing
more our declaration of Independence was not
only voted unanimously in our Congress, but
every county, every municipality, has solemnly
declared its consent and adherence to 1T so it
became not the supposed, but by the whole
realm adopted and sanctioned rs the funda-
mental laws of Hungary. And no it is, even
now. There happened since nothing contrary
to this declaration on the part Of the nation
No contrary law no declaration issued Only
one thing happened-a foreign Power Russia
came with his armed bondsmen. and aided
by treason, overthrow US for a while Now.
nut the question before God and humanity to |
you, free, sovereign people of America, can this
violation of international law abolish the legit- |
innate character of our Declaration of indie |
pendence lfnot then, here take my ground,
because am in this very declaration of indie
pendence intrusted with the charge of Govern. |
or Of my father-land. have sworn before God |
and my nation TO endeayor to maintain and Sc.
cure this act of independence and SO, m.y
God the Almighty help me as will, | will,
until my nation is again in the condition to dis |
pose of its government which | confidently |
trust-yea, more, | know-will be republi- |
can. And then | retire to the humble condi-
ton Of my former private life, equalling in one
thinn at least unnr w x,.at In uaazi4u