The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-01-27
Kossuth,s speech.

Kossuth's Speech.
Sir: As once Cyneas. the Epiroie, stood a.
mong he Sonsiors OF Rome. who. with an ear
nest word Of self-conscious majesty, controlled
the condition of the world, and arrested nigh
~ kings in their ambitious march. thus full Of
admiration and Of reverence, stand amongst
you, legislators of the new capitol, that elor-
Gus half Of your peoples collective majesty -
The capital Of old ye, stands, but the spirit has
departed from IL. and come over to yours. puri-
fed by the hir Of liberty. The old stands Of
mournful monument Of the frugality Of human
things; yours a sanctuary Of eternal rights.
The old beamed with the red lusre OF conquest
now, da'kened by oppresson's gloomy night;
yours protectes yOurOwn nation against absorp
ton. even by itself. The old was awful, with
irrestrieted power; ynurs is glorious with having
restricted il. Al The view Of the old nations
,rsmbled: at the view Of yours humanity hopes.
To the old misfortune was only Introduced with
feilered hands to kneel at iru .nphant conquer-
ors' heels; to you the triumph Of Introduction
rs granted TO unfortunate exis invited 10 the
honor ofa seat. And whore kings and Casars
never will be hailed Tor their power, might and
wealth there, there the prosecuted chief Of a
down-trodden nation is welcomed as your great
Republics guest, precisely because he is perse.
cAied helpless and poor. la the old, the terri
be ve Uictisi was the rule. In yours protec-
tinn TO The oppressed maledic,iOn 10 ambitious
eppressOrs. and consolation TO a va qnished jnsI
cause. And while out OF the old crnquered
aorld was ruled you in yours nrovie for Z 9
csmmon lederatve Interests OF q territory lar
ger than the conquered world of the old
There sat men boasiiHg their will 10 the SOW
reign Of the world; here sit men whose glory is
20 acknowledge The laws ef nature and nalure's
Gnd, and 10 do what their sovreien the people,
wills.
Sir, there is history in lhese parallels; history
Uf past ages, and hisfofy Of future centuries,
may be often recorded IN "a few words. The
small particulars 10 which the passos Of living
nen cliDgs with fevsnt zeal. as if the fragile
scgers OF men ceud arrest the rotation Of des
,inies ~hee--ihcse particulars die away; il is
The Issue which nskes history, and ia t issue
is always logical There is necessity of con
sequences shetevei he necessity OF position ex
i1's. Principles are the alpha; the must fur
nish The omega, and they will.
Thus history may be told often ia a few
woids.
Belois yet the heroic s,rsggle OF Greece first
eogaged your enun'ry's sympathy for the fate
OF freedom in Europe. theo SD fsr distant and
Uow so near, Chateaubiiand happened 10 he in
Athens, and lie hear from minare, raised up
OF the Propyleum's ruins Turkish priest iU
A abio language announcing the lapse OF hours
~ the Christians sf MineIvas town What
immense history in the small fact Of Turkish
Imum crying out. "Prsy, pray, the hour is
running fast, and the judgmen, draws near"
Sir there is equally history Of future ages
~nteD in the honor bestowed by YOU TO my
hnnbl, SELF. The first governor of iadspan-
dent Hungary, driven from his native land by
Russian violence; an exile on Turkish soil, pro.
Iseted by Mahometab Sultan against lhe blood
thirst OF Christian iyrsnts; cast back prisoner
90 far Asia by diplomacy; rescued from his Ash
attic prison by America crossing The Atlantic
Chaiged with The hopes Of Europe's oppre sei
nations; pleading poor exile, before the peo-
ple of this great Republic his down trodden
counirys wrongs AID it's ultimate oonnectionwith
The fate Of the European continent, aud, with
the bodness Of just cause, claiming the prin-
ciples of the Christian religion TO be raised 10
law Of nations; and to see not only The bold
ness OF The poor exile forgiven, but 10 see him
consoled by the sympathy Of millions, enconr-
aged by individuals, associations, meetings. cit
les. and Staies supported by operative aid, and
greeted by Congress and by Government as the
aa,Ions guest; honored out Of generosity with
that honor which only cne man before him re-
Ceived, and that man received them out OF graft
iude; with honoTs such as 90 potentsle ever
can receive; and this banquet here, and the toasl
which have TO thank fof-oh. indeed, sir, there
is history of future ages in these facts; they
will 60 down 10 posterity in the logical conse
quences of principles which are the founda
Iinns Of these facts
Sir, though have the noble pride Of ny
principles, and thongh have the inspiration o
. iast cause. still have also the conscience o
my personal humility. Never viii forge
what is due!irom me.to,lhe sovetnign source o
my public capacity. Thsl owe to my nalion'
dignity: end therefore, respectfully ihsnkint
this highly distinguished assembly in my coun.
iry's name, have the boldness TO say hat Hun
gary has claim 10 protection. because IL hat
claim to justice. But as to my own humble
self, permit rns humbly 10 express that an
well aware no, 10 have in all these honors a per
sonal share. Nay. II know that even that " hicl
might seem 10 be personal in your toast, is on
ly an acknowledgment Of historical fact, ve
~ iustruciively connected with principle val
usbic and dear 10 every republican hearth thu
United Sizes Of America.
Sir. you we're p..ssased to meution nyour Ioas
that am ubconquered BY misfor,nne, and un
seduced by ambition. Now, il is nrovIden,ia
fact that misfortune has the privilege TO enncoi
mans mind, aud TO strengthen man's character
There is a sort OF natural instinct Of humaI
dignity in tho heart Of man which steels his We
~ nerves not TO beud beneath the heavy blow
of heavy adversities. The palm tree grow
best beneath ponderous weight. Even so III,
character Of man. There is no merit 10 it,
It's law Of psychology. The petty pangs o
small daily cares have often bent the characte
Of men, but great misfortune seldom. There
is less danger in this than in great luck.
And as TO ambition, indeed never was able
TO understand how any body can more love am
biIion than liberty. But am glad to state
historical fact as principle demonstration o
that influence which Institutions exercise up
nthe character Of nations.
The Hungarians are very fond Of the prioci
pie OF municipal self government. and we hav
natural horror against the principle OF cen
iralization. That fond attachment TO munich
pal self government, without which there Is n