Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-11-13

so rapidly preclpltated on the nation, alter thel
hopes had been so highly raised by the magnificent
procamations of Gov. Kossuth. To do so we mus
first premise few facts in the history of Hungary
The Magyars and the races associated with them in
the Hungarian kingdom remained Independent until
1926 A. d. when they put themselves under the
protection of Austria elesting Ferdinand as king
but reserving to themselves the rights of an indie
pendent sovereignty in national constitution OF
which we need only say that it embodied most Of
the worst features of feudaism In 1857 the success
sion from being elective was made hereditary in
the house of Hapsburg; the monarch, however, be-
ing by his coronation oath and diploma of Inaugural
ton king still bound to observe and protect the
constitution of the land In 1928, according to a
provision Of the Pragmatic Sanction, the succession
was made hereditary in the female as we'll as in the
male line of the Hapsburg dynasty provision
which enured as our readers all remember, to the
special benefit of Maria Theresa, when an exile from
the imperial throne bequeahed to her by her father
Charles VI, she fed to Hungary in quest of aid by
which to maintain her claims against the Ubiquitous
aggressions of Frederick H. of Prussia, the assnp
/ tons of the Elector of Bavaria, and the machna-
tions of France. That was dark day for Austria,
but proud one for Hungary, when the fugitive
empress, arrayed in theweeds of mourning, and with
her infant son in her arms, appeared before the
sembled Diet Of Hungarian mobiles to recite in the
old Latin tongue the story fherwrongs and plead the
justice of her cause-as it proved before men of will
ling hearts and ready hands, for scarcely had the
echos of her voice died away in the hall before the
whole concave from their seats and shouted as
with one voice, " Moridn,ur pro rege nostro, Maria
Thercsa"-Let us die for our king, Maria Theresa
We cite this passage in the history of Hungary for
other reasons than the dramatic interest which has
attracted alike the pen of the historian and the
pencil of the painter Observe the old feudal pride
which breathes in the Morianaur pro rege nostro
Of that congregated chivalry they could not brook
to be governed by a queen, unless forsooth, they
were allowed to call her "dleir king" This feudal
prejudice was gratifed and Maria Theresa was re-
stored to the imperial throne by the swords of her
Hungarian subjects But we return from this di
gression. This independent constitution was long
jealousy guarded by Hungary, and as industriousy
violated by Austria. To the attentive observer it
is apparent that the centralizing influence of the
Aulic Court was destined soon to absorb this dis
tnct constitutional government and merge it IN the
category of the hereditary States" when sudden
| ly the French Revolution of lS4S burst forth and
shed spirit of gddiness and revolt the whole
of Europe. Hungary caught the popular infection,
and re-asscrted all the rights of her old constitution
and introduced besides, certain reforms, as well so
cal political, which were conceded by the Empe-
ror Ferdinand, who, having more than he could
manage in the city of Vienna was disposed, for the
nonce, to be in plant mood to his Hungarian sub
jects The counsels of Hungary at this period were
swayed by the more moderate and sagacious of her
reforming politicians by men like Louis Batthyany,
Deak, Szechenyi, and Wesselenyi, who subsequently,
were driven from power by the rash measures of
Kossuth and his compeers. But when Francis
Joseph succeeded to the throne, the Viennese hay
ing been brought to terms by Windischgraetz, he
/ L.. II Al
which his predecessor had yielded only to the
pressure of external circumstances. To facilitate
this end, dissensions were secretly stirred up by
Austrian emissaries between the various CON-
posing the Hungarian kingdom the Croats and
Sclaves were thus arrayed against the Magyars,
which last it must be admitted, had recently given
the two former abundant cause for increasing that
suspicion and dislike which had before rendered
their union any thing but cordial. The house thus
divided against itself would, it was hoped, soon
topple to its fall. But the Magyars were resolved
TO maintain the old Hungarian constitution, whether
against treason at home or hostility at Vienna, and
it for the maintenance of this constitution that
Gorgei and his compatriots drew their swords. We
let G0rgei speak:
aThe Hungarian struggle though primarily occasion
ed by the systematic insgatons Of Austria sowing dis
cord among the various natonates and though directly
opposed to the officially proclaimed doctrine OF CONSOLE
dated Austria nevertheless IN Its aims ans spirit
purely constitutional and monarchical and herein con-
sisted its strength All the agitation which preceded the
to had been conducted in the name Of the
King, and the thought Of opposing the Hapsburg
dynasty was of exotic growth"
He then proceeds to state that the predictions
and prejudces of the people were all in favor of
"dynastic views" and that in the army especially
the monarchical sentiment was almost universal.
The bare suspicion that Kossuth might ultimately
aim at extra-constutional objects caused many
officers to throw up their commissions at once. They
did not want republic until the people were re-
publican. To guard against all misconception on
this point G6rgei issued "proclamation of the
army" distinctly stating the principles for which,
and for which only it would continue the contest !;
it commences as follows:
"In order to preserve its position strictly legal
basis amid the political fluctuations TO which our poor
fatherand seems about to become prey the army on
the upper Donau publishes the following declaration;
al The division Of the army the upper Donau re-
mains true TO its oath to contend earnestly for the main
tenance Of the Constitution Of the Kingdom Of Hungary,
sanctioned by King Ferdinand v.
"'2. With equal decision however, this division will
oppose all those who by untimey republican msD@uvrngs
in the bosom Of the land, would seek overthrow the
constitutional kingdom" sc.
This proclamation was issued early in the contest,
and at once revealed the schsm between the arm
and the head Of the Hungarian revolt. The army
distrusted the Government and the Government
could not rely on the army.
In order if possible to neutralize this rccusancy
of the army, G0rgei was superseded by Dembinski,
Pole, who assumed the chief command of all the