North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-12-20
KOssUTH's GREAT SPEECH.

Ectracts from the Speech, deiUered in New York;
the 1lth instant, by LOUIS KossUTH.
The orator. after an eloquent exordum, and after
arguing at length to show that the Washington,
Webster, Madison, Monroe, and Clay policy was not
against granting assistance to Hungary, in so far as
to prevent Russia from interfering again, proceeds
follows:
But may be told, You are right in your prin-
ciples, your cause is just, and you have our sympa-
hy but after all We cannot 60 to war for your coun-
try; we cannot furnish you with armies and fleets
we cannot fight youi battles for you.' There is the
rub. WhoScan exactly tell what would have been
the issue of your own struggle for independence,
though your country was in far happier geographic
cal position than we poor Hungarians. should France
have given such answer to your forefahers IN ITS
and 1881, instead of sending to your aid fleet oil
thirty eight men of war, and auxiliary troops, ano
"a 900 muskets, and Joan of nineteen millions
And what is far than all this does 1t not show
that France resolved with all its power to esPouse the
cause of your independence
But, perhaps, will be told that France did this,
not out of love of freedom, but out of hatred against
England. WE'LL let it be; but let me also ask, snail
the cause of olden times-hatred-be more efficient
in the destinies of mankind than love of freedom
principles of justice, and laws of humanity? Per
haps will be told that Europe is far from Amer
lea. But let ask, is America in the days of steam
navigation more distant from Europe to-day than
France was from America seventy-three years ago
However, must solemn declare that it is not my in
tenton to rely literally upon this example, 1t Is not
my wish to enangle the United States IN war, or to
great people to send out armies and heets
to restore Hungary to its sovereign independence.
Not at all, gentlemen; most solemnly declare that
never entertained such expectations. such hopes
and here l come to the practical point
Kossuth next announced it as his opinion that Eu-
rope was on the eve of new revolutions and great
events, and then said
sit is wanted, that being of the precarious
condition of Europe, your National Government
should so possible send instructions to your
Minister at London, to declare to the English Gov
Sf.fo oknn odr The
sovereign right of every nation dispose of its own
domestic concerns have resolved not to interfere, but
also to let interfere whatever foreign power with
this sovereign right in order to rePress the spirit OF
freedom in any country. Consequently, to invite
the Cabinet of ST. James to unite with the United
States in this policy, and 10 declare that the United
States resolved to act conformity with England In
that decision in the case of that approaching Crisis on
the European continent, which is impossible not 10
foresee.
If the citizens of the United States, instead of
honorng me with the offers of their hospitality, would
be pleased express this their WILL by passing con-
venent resolutions, and Tatfying them to their Ma
tona Governmental the people by all constitutional
means-f the Independent press would hasten to ex-
press the public opinion in similar senself IN con-
sequence of this the Narional Government would in
struct its Minister in England accordingly, and by
convenient communication to the Congress, give so
as 1t is wont to do, publicity to this his step, am
entirely sure that you would find the people of Great
Britain heartily joining this direction of polcy-no-
it, and no existing relation would be broken or iniur
ed and still the interference of Russia in the restor-
alton of Hungary to its independence formally de-
clared in lS49) prevented-Russia arrogance and
prepondeance checked, and the oppressed nations of
Europe soon become free.
There may be some over-anxous men who, per-
haps, would say, But if such declaration of your
government will not be respected, and Russia still
does interfere, then you would be obliged by this
previous declaration to go war, and you don't de-
sire 10 have war; That objection seemed to me
like if somebody would say, IS If the vault of
Heaven breaks down what will we do?" My an
swer is, - But it will not break down - even so
answer-but your declaration will be respected
Russia will not interfere-you will have occasion
for war, you will have prevented war;"
He then put the of Cuba, and asked if the
people of this country would allow the Cuban Peo-
pie. if they rose for liberty, to be crushed. The
meeting answered with one voice, /" NO." He then
said that Cuba was six days from New York, and
Hungary eighteen, and therefore the only difference
to the two cases was as to time. He then pro.
ceeded
"Now, put the question, before God and human
ity, to you, free, sovereign people of America. can
this violation of international law abolish the legiti
mate character of Declaration of independence
1t not, then, here L take my ground, because L am
in this very Declaration of Independence entrusted
with the charge of Governor of my fatherland.
have sworn, before God and my nation, to endeavor
to maintain and secure this act of Independence.
And so may God the Almighty help me as will
will, until nv nation is again in the condition to
dispose of its government, which confidently trust
yea, more, know will be Republic. And then
will retire to the humble condition of my former pri
vate ite equaling in one thing at least, your Wash
ngton, not in merits but in honesty-that is the on
y ambition of my life. Amen!
So my third humble wish is that the people of the
U United States would be pleased, by all constitution
al means of its wonted public life, declare that
acknowledging the legitimate character of the Dec
aratlon of Independence of Hungary, it is anxious
to greet Hungary among the Independent powers of
the earth, and invite the government of the United
States to recognize this independence the earliest
convenient time. That is all. Let me see the prin-
ciple announced the rest may we'll be left to the
wisdom of your Government, with confidence
in my own respectful discretion also.''
The orator concluded his brilliant and comprehen-
sve address as follows:
And so, Gentlemen, have respectfully stated
what are my humble requests to the sovereign people
OF this country, In Its public and political capacity
1t is that the people of the United States may be
pleased, by all constitutional means, to declare
First, that feeling interested in the maintenance of
the laws of nations, acknowledging the sovereign
right OF every people to dispose of its own domestic
concerns to be one of these laws, and the interference
with this sovereign right to be violation of these
laws OF nations, the people of the United States
resolved to respect and to make respected these pub
lie laWs-decares the Russian past Intervention in
Hungary, to be violation of these laws, which, if
reiterated, would be violation, and would not
be regarded lndltterenty by the people of the United
States-that you, therefore, invite your government
to act accordingly, and so invite Great Britain to
unite with the U United States in this policy.
Second that the people of the United States is
solved to maintain the right of commercial intercourse
with the nations of Europe, whether they be in
state OF revolution against their governments or not
and that with the view OF approaching scenes the
continent of Europe the people invites the govern
ment to take appropriate measures for the protection
of the trade of people the Mediterranean: and