Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-01-30
Esterhazy and Batthyany.


are pretty severely criticised. These gentlemen
were prominent actors in the Hungarian troubles,
both having been members of the Government of
which Louis Batthyany, Casimir's relative was head
is almost unnecessary to say that they belong to
the proudest and most aristocratc families in Eu
rope, "proud as Esterhazy' having become
proverba expression and it may be that their esti-
mate of Kossuth is modified by their monarchical
and aristocratic proclivities.
Batthyany says and we presume with TRUTH that
at first party in Hungary entertained any thought
of breach with Austria dissolution of the con-
nection existing between the two countries. The
Emperor, as King of Hungary had acceded to all
the demands made, and it was only the discovery of
bad faith the part of Austria which hurried
of the more impulsive Hungarian leaders, Kossuth
among the number, into the open rupture and SUBJ
sequent struggle which has turned out disastrous
ly for their country.
deficient in the knowledge of men and things. in
the steadfast bearing, cool Judgment aud comprehen-
sive mind Of statesman, and without the firm hand
of ruler; setting at nought all sound calculation,
while he played game OF chance and staked the
fate of the nation the cast of die encountering
danger with hairbrained temeriiy when distant, but
shrinking from it when near elated and overbear-
ing in prosperity but utterly PROSTATE in adversely
wanting that strength and intrepidity of character
others: while he suffered himself to be made the tool
of every intriguer he in connection with mis-
taking his manifold accomplishments and natural
genius for an aptitude to govern country in times
of trouble and setting, in the ights of fancy, no
bounds to the scope of his ambition Kossuth hurried
away the nation into of the most impolitic
measures and grasped the highest power in the
realm by dubious means; but when scarcely in pos
session of it, suffered it to be wrested from his hands
by the whom he had himself most iniudiciously
In a nd WI onOht
he had received repeated warnings, well proofs
of his treachery and worthessness he never dared
openly ard boldly to proceed-hy the whom he
had hoped to ensrare while he crouched beneath him
in AFFECT fear, but by whom he was finally outwitted
In the succeeding paragraphs of his letter, the
Count shows little jealousy and upon the
score of the exclusive honors paid to Kossuth and
condemns in the most direct terms his avowed desire
to recast the Hungarian constitution into republican
mold arguing that repuhlicansm is contrary to
the genius habits and traditions of the nation which
is now, and always has been. eminently aristocrat
cal and monarchcal in its social and political ten
denotes.
| There is one thing perfectly certain. There was
during the Revolution, and there is now two parties
among the Hungarian people One the progressive.
republican perty of Kossuth. The other the con-
sentative party under the arstocratic leaders these
latter adopting the British Arstocracy as their mod
ell and regarding the existing social fabric and the
prescrptve privileges of their order as matter OF as
much if not Importance than the political indie
pendence of their country. They would not sacri-
flee themselves for the difference and certainly would
prefer to be mobiles of an Austrian province rather
than humble citizens in Hungarian republic. tits
therefore certain that they have very little sympa-
thy With Kossuth in his avowed purpose to introduce
American republicanism.
After all, there may be something in the old say
ing that still water deep. If the converse of
it be true, it night suggest train of thought not
complimentary the depth of the Hungarian orator
Extreme versatility may be combined with stead-
ness of purpose and iron will but rather fear
for the powers of continued concentration which
we may fairly expect under such circumstances. 1t
must be very rare character indeed that can COM
bine the firm hand of ruler with the meteoric
eloquence of a political Peter the Hermit. Most
certainly Kossuths speeches combine more solid To-
glc with more brilliant orientalism, than anything
which the 18TH century has produced, and the nan
While emlnently dramatic character, has never for
moment rante1 Or overstepped the modesty of ma
ture since coming to the United States.
| were kossuth to die to-day his fame would live
forever as man of most brilliant accomplishments
exalted genius and surprising eloquence ;.while we
feel convinced that the der elopments of time would
only show more clearly and convncingly the purity
of his motives. But whether he would be regarded
as sound Statesman and able ruler is quite another
thing. That, time alone can tell. Other struggles
may yet haze to be fought. Other opportunities may
yet be aorded for retrieving the errors of the past
and it may fairly be hoped that the pressure of ad
Versiy and the stern lessons Experience will have
che effect of SOLDERING the visions of hopeful genius
into the cold calculations of reality and prudence,
so that no trust may be betrayed and no nation be
: again ruined
The Duplin Meeting.
1t will be seen by the proceedings in another COL
umn that our Democratic friends in Duplin county
have held a meeting and appointed Delegates to a
District Convention to be held in Wilmington on the
23d day of April next for the purpose of appointing
) delegate to the National Convention to meet at