The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-12-24
Kossuth at the Municipal Banquet
in New York.

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The pressure upon our columns at this
time, compels us to omit in this days pa
per the publication Of the speech of the
illustrious Hungarian upon the occasion
of the banquet in his honor, given by the
municipal authorities of New York.
This great Grafton will be universally
read. and cannot fail to produce a pro-
found and permanent impression on the
public mind. Without undertaking, after
the very cursory perusal which we have
been able as yet to give it, to concur in
all its conclusions and suggestions, we
cannot refrain from expressing strongly
our admiration. and even our astonish-
ment. at the vast and various ability which
it exhibits. Besides augmentation and
rhetorical power of a very rare and high
order. the speech displays a familiarity
with the history and policy of our govern
ment which, under the circumstances, is
little less than marvellous. 1t is charac-
terized throughout by a spirit thoroughly
practical: and it sets forth. in an attitude
and light at once most original and impos-
ing. all the great ideas and principles to
which the life Of its author has hitherto
been, and is hereafter to be, consecrated.
The effect of the speech upon the nu-
merous and highly respectable company
which listened to it appears to have been
quite as remarkable as is its character.
The orator was throughout cheered and
applauded to the echo; and when, at the
conclusion Of the address, a member OF
the city council proposed that the three
practical suggestions which it contained as
to the action of the government Of the
United States should stand as the resolu.
tons Of that meeting, the vote was carried
with unanimous acclamations
This was more than an oratorical tri-
umph; though, considering the character
Of Kossuth's propositions, it was in that
sense alone almost unprecedented in this
country before such an auditory. Such
a vote was the declaration of that intel.
ligent assemblage that the coming of Kos
suth to our shores was a political event,
and that both his invitation and his recep-
ton have a political significance.
1t is now, as we conceive, altogether too
late TO deny either Of these propositions.
The action which has been taken in one
branch Of Congress upon the subject will
likewise, beyond question, both here and
elsewhere, receive a similar Interpretation.
The action which we may anticipate in the
House of Representatives will also be re-
garded as Of the same character. Nor
can any doubt be entertained at this time
that such action will, in its whole signifi-
canoe, be loudly and generally approved
by the people and by the public press.
Here and elsewhere our government and
our people will be regarded as joining in
the manifestation of their cordial approval
Of the Hungarian cause, and Of their stern
and unhesitating condemnation Of that
absolutist policy by which, for the time,
that cause has been broken down.
Beyond this point, nothing which our
government at this time will do or demon
strate is. as we conclude. TO proceed; and
up to this point. we hold it to be clear that
our people and our government, both in
respect Of principle and policy, are as
suredly in the right. 1t is proper in itself,
and fit upon this occasion, that our coun-
try should 90 thus far. AS a nation. we
oppose oar national opinion, in high and
solemn forms Of expression, to the bayo-
nets Of Russian intervention. It's moral
and not a material power-yct. as we be.
lieve, not the less mighty in its Ultimate
consequences because it is not MATERIAL
Washington Union.