The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-01-08
RECEPTION OF KOSsUTH BY THE PRESIDENT,
DECEMBER 81, 1851

| KOSSUTHS SPEECH TO THE PRESIDENT
Enlightened by the spirit of your country
institutions, when we succeeded to consolidate
our natural and historical States right OF self
government, by placing it upon the broad
foundation of democratic liberty:
Inspired by your history, when we had to
fight for independence against annihlanon by
centralized absolutism
Consoled by your peoples sympathy, when
victim of Russian interference with the laws OF
nature and of natures God
Protected in exile by the Government OF the
United States supporting the Sultan OF Turkey
! in his noble resolution to undergo the very
danger of a war, rather than leave unprotected
the rights of humanity against Russo-Austrian
/ despotism:
Restored by the United States to life, be-
cause restored to freedom, and by freedom to
activity in behalf of those duties which, by my
nations unanimous confidence and sovereign
will, devolved upon me:
Raised in the eyes of many oppressed ma
tons to the standing of a harbinger of hope,
because the star-spangled banner was seen cast
in protection around me. announcing TO the
world that there is a nation, alike powerful as
free, ready to protect the laws of nations, even
in distant parts of the earth and in the person
of a poor exile:
Cheercd by your peoples sympathy so as
freemen cheer not man whatever, but prin-
ciple:
| now bow before you, sir, in the proud posi-
- &c. 49, ....A-S ,ss,a- ..srszss,s.i
welcomed by resolution of the Congress af the
United States, with equal genA,s.s, approved
and executed by your Excellency. 80.
beg leave to express my feryent thanks, in
my name and in the name of nv associates,
who, after having shared my misfortunes, have
now the reward to share the honor and the
benefit which the great Republic of the United
States was pleased to bestow upon Hungary by
bestowing it upon its freely -chosen chief when
he became prosecuted victim Of despotic vio-
lence
beg leave to express my fervent thanks, in
my country's name, also, which, amidst the
sorrows of its desolatiOns, feels cheered by your
cOuntry's generosity, and looks with resolution
to the impending future, because it is confident
that the time draws near when the eternal
code of the law of nations will become re-
atty.
President: stand before your Excellency a
living protestation against the violence of for
eign interference expressing the sovereign right
of nations to regulate their own domestic con-
Germs.
stand before your Excellency living pro-
testation against Capitalization expressing the
State right of self government.
May be allowed to take it for an augury
of better times that in landing on the happy
shores of this glorious Republic, | landed in a
free and powerful country, whose honored
Chief Magistrate proclaims to the world that
this country cannot remain Indifferent when
the strong arm of foreign power is invoked
to stihe public sentiment and repress the spirit
of freedom in any country.
thank God that he deemed me not unwor-
thy to act and to suffer for my father-land.
thank God that the fate of my country be-
came so intimately connected with the fate of
liberty and Independence of nations of Europe
rs formerly it was intimately connected with
the security of Christendom.
thank God that my countrys unmerited
woe and my personal suferings became an OPP
portunity to seek manifestation of the spirit
| and principles of your Republic.
May God the Almighty bless you with q
long life, that you may long enjoy the happi-
ness to see your country great, glorious, and
free, the cornerstone Of international justice,
and the column of freedom on the earth, as it
is already an asylum to the oppressed.
Sir, pledge to your country the everlasting
gratitude of Hungary.
The President replied briefly to M. Kossuth's
address, in substance as follows:
| am happy, Governor Kossuth, to welcome
you to this land of freedom; and it gives me
pleasure to congratulate you upon your release
from long confinement in Turkey, and your
safe arrival here. As an individual, sympa-
thized deeply with YOU in your brave struggle
for the Independence and freedom Of your ma
tive land The American people can never be
Indifferent to sudh & contest but our policy az
a nation in this respect has been uniform, from
the commencement of our Government and
my own views "a the Chief Executive Magis-
;ra5e Of this nation are fully and freely eI-
pressed IN my recent message 70 Congress, TO
which you have been pleased 70 allude They
are The same, whether spsakmg 70 Congress
acre. " 70 che nations 81 Ear0pe
Ssos.sa ye'sr eHnsssy bs sestDrsd 70 irdepend-
snes and freedom ! should then wish you, as
che zrssa5sst blessing yoo conld enjoy, resto-
,asoa n pour naSvs .aod bus. should tina,
never Aappen ! An oaiy repeses ny welcome
- YSn md ybur companions here and pray
sAss 6,s,d's blessisg saa9 rssr rpm you where
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