The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-11
Kossuth Defining his Position.

of the New York journalists at the present mo-
ment The papers of that city are stuffed full
of addresses to, and addresses from, the great
Magyar, who is the popular idol at present, and
who conducts himself under such trying circum-
stances, with great dignity, and more discretion
than we had been inclined, from the first reports
of his declarations, to give him credit Tor.
Many allowances should he made Tor nasty ana
inconsiderate expressions on the part of a man
situated as he is, and acting and speaking under
and in the midst of such high excitements--but
he has been rendered so conscious of the i'm
pressions produced by his own first speeches, as
to find it necessary to put forth an explanation
The following notice which appeared simulta-
neously in the different city papers, bears the
Impress of having proceeded from his own hand.
He thus defines his position:
The impression having gone out through
some of the public journals, that the purpose OF
Gov Kossuth aims at fOrcible intervention in
foreign affairs, we take leave to say, on author
ity, that such is not the fact He asks simply
that England and America shall unite in affirm
ing the policy that "every nation shall have the
to suit its own condition and convenience" and
that the two nations ENGLAND and America)
shall not only respect, but cause 10 be respected,
this doctrines so as to prevent Russia from again
marching her armies into Hungary. He holds
that there is wide difference between resoute
attitude, powerful enough to prevent Interior
ence, and the going to war to repuIse an inter-
vention already commenced. Gov. Kossuth has
not intended to suggest that America should
copy the example of France during our revolu-
ton, according to the letter. but according TO the
spirit The circumstances are widely different,
and all that can be hoped is that great and free
country like this should act in behalfof freedom,
according to the time and the circumstance in
which it is placed.
This is substantially the idea set forth by
Kossuth in England, and stops very far short of
the acquisitions which his Staten Island, and
other speeches in this country, seemed to make
upon the people of this country in behalf of
his own. Still it opens new and very grave
questions in relation to our future foreign poll
cy, and will doubtless enlist the attention and
most earnest deliberation of all who recognize
the difficulty of laying down the limits and de-
filming the true character of the relations exist
ing, and hereafter to exist, between this govern
ment and the revolutionary governments of
Europe. We live in stirring times, and new
events and changes of circumstances require
suitable notifications of policy, to meet and
cover them. And we think, that any man who
possesses eyes and understanding, must see
that the position and destiny of this republic,
for all coming time, both with regard to intern
al and external relations, are now being mould
ed and modified by the events which are taking
place in the other hemisphere, and within our
own borders.
1t is progressive age, and ours progressive
people but all progress is not advance in the
right direction, whilst to stand still, in the midst
of universal movement, is to retrograde, if the
expression may be permitted. Hence we re-
gard the coming of kossUrH, and the impress.
sion on the public mind which the development
of his ideas will produce, as very grave matters,
and tending if not Immediately, yet very surely
TO important results. The mere holiday pa
geants of his receptions amount to nothing
but the recollection of his words, and the revival
ture on his chosen mission, will and must bear
fruits. Whether those fruits will be crude and
unwholesome, or the reverse, we candidly con.
fess our inability to form a judgment upon
We have but heard the first peals of the thun-
der, the reverberations of which have just com.
nenced among the distant hills-the echo from
the remote has not yet returned to the ear of
the most eager listeners, nor will for some time
20 come, nor until the feverish excitement of the
reception and presence of this great revoutiona.
ny man has passed away. Whenever he departs
he will leave behind deep traces Of his visit
sowing the seeds of new ideas at each step of hi
progress, and confounding at once, by his course
the speculations of the foolish and the calcula-
tons of the wise.
As matter most interesting to our readers, we
CLEAN the following additional items of informa.
ton, in relation TO his views and proceedings
from the papers. Weyesterday published what
purported to be his reply to the Philadelphia
delegation, in which he refers to the proceed
ings of Congress. 1t seems that an important
paragraph was omitted in that report, which
we now supply from the New York Herald -
The Virginians, stopping at the Irving House.
waited upon Kossuth on Monday, and presented
him with the following:
ADDRESS OF THE vIRGISrANs.
Sir: am honored in being the organ fcom-
municaton between my felow.citzens of the
Ancient Dominion who are accidentally in the
city, and your excellency. We come as body
to tender our congratulations upon your arrival
and extend cordial welcome TO our country.
We are proud in being the citizens of a State
that ever avowed detestaton of tyranny in
every form, and has inscribed upon her banner
the proud motto of sic semper uranus State
that gave birth to Washington, Henry, Jeifer-
son, Madison and Clay--naues illustrious in
history, and familiar to the friends of liberty in
every cline. We trust that in due time you will
receive an invitation TO visit our State, and we
feel assured that you will receive that welcome
which the descendants Of those illustrious men
will ever extend to champions of freedom who