The republic., 1852-01-08

the fate Of the European continent, and, with the
boldness Of just cause, claiming the principles Of
the Christian religion to be raised 10 a law OF ma
tions and to not only the bodness OF the poor
exile forgiven, but to him consolod by the sym
patby of millions, encouraged by individuals,
sociations meetings, cities, and States supported
by operative aid, and greeted by Congress and by
Government as the nations guest honored out Of
generosity with that honor which only man
before him received, and that man received them
out Of gratit ude; with honors such potcntate
ever can receive and this banquet here, and the
toast which have to thank for-oh indeed, sir,
there 10 history of future ages in all these facts
they will go down TO posterity in the logical con-
sequences Of principles which the foundation OF
these facts.
Sir, though I have the noble pride of my prin-
ciples and though have the inspiration OF just
cause, still have also the conscience of my person
al humility. Never will forget what ia due from
me to the sovereign of my public capacity
This owe to my nations dignity; and, therefore,
respectfully thanking this highly distinguished as
sembly in my country's name, have the boldness
to say that Hungary we'll deserves your sympathy
that Hungary has claim to protection, because it
has claim to justice. But as to my own humble
self, permit me humbly to express that am well
not to have in all these honors any personal
share. Nay, know that even that which might
seem to be personal in your toast, is only an
acknowledgement of historical fact, vory instruc
lively connected with principle valuable and dear
to every republican heart in the United States Of
America.
Sir you pleased to mention in your toast
that am unconquered by misfortune, and unse-
duced by ambition. Now, it s providential fact
that misfortune has the privilege to ennoblc man
=
IL sort or natural instinct of human dignity in the
heart of man which stcels his very nerves not to
bend beneath the heavy blows Of great advcrsities.
The palm tree grows best beneath pondcrous
weight. Even the character of man. There is
no merit in it. 1t is law of psychology. The
petty pangs of small daily cares have often bent
the character OF men, but great misfortune seldom.
There is less danger in this than in great luck
And to ambition, indeed never was able to
understand how anybody more love ambition
than liberty. But am glad to state historical
fact as principal demonstration of that influence
which institutions exercise upon the character of
nntions.
The Hungarians are very fond Of the principle of
municipal self government, and we have natural
horror against the principle Of ntrazation That
lond attachment 10 municipal self government,
without which there is provincial freedom pos
sble, is fundamental feature Of national
character We brought it with us from far Asia
Thousand years ago, and we conserved it through
out the vicsstudes of ten centuries. No nation has
perhaps, 30 much struggled and suffered from the
civilized Christian world We do not COM
plain OF this lot. 1t may be heavy, but it ia not
lnSiorious. Where the cradle of Saviour
stood, and where his divine doctrine was founded, ,
there now another faith rules; and whole Europe's
armed pilgrimage could not avert this fate from
tha' sacred spot, nor stop the rushing waves OF
islaniisni absorbing the Christian empire of Con-
stantne. We stopped those rushing waves. The
breast of my nation proved breakwatcr to them.
we guarded christendom that Luthcrs and Cal
WINS might reform it, II was dangerous time.
and the dangers OF the time often placed the conf
deuce OF all my nation into one mans hand J;
and that confidence gave power into his hands to
become ambitious. But there not sin gle in
stance IN our history where n man, honored by his
peoples confidence, had deceived his people by be-
coming ambitious. The man out of whom Rus
sian diplomacy succeeded to make the murderer
OF his nations confdencc-hc never had il, but
was rather regarded always with dstrust. But he
gained some victories when victories were the mo-
ments chief necessity. At the hend OF an army
circumstances placed him in the capacity 10 ruin
his country. But he never had the peoples conf
dence SO even he IL no contradiction to the his
torical truth, that no Hungarian whom his nation
honorcd with its confidence was seduced by
ambition 10 become dangerous TO his country's
liberty.
That is a remarkable fact, and yet it lie not acci-
dental; it is the logical consequence of the influ
snce OF institutions upon the national character.
Our nation, through all its history. educated
in the school OF municipal self government, and
in such a country ambition, having no field, has
also no place in mans character.
The truth Of this doctrine becomes yet moro IL
Illustrated by quite contrary historical fact in
France. Whatever have been the changes of gov
ernmcnt IN that great country-and many they
have been, to be sure-we have conven-
ton, directorate, consuls and one consul. and an
emperor, and the restoration, and the citizen king
and the republic. Through all these different ex
perirDents, Capitalization the fundamo n tai
tone of the institutions Of France-power always
centralized, omn potencc always vested somewhere.
And remarkably, indeed, France has never yet
raised one single man to the scat OF power who has
not sacrificed his counry's freedom TO his personal
ambition
II il sorrowful, indeed, but it is natural. 1t is in
the garden OF Capitalization where the vcnOmous
plant oi ambition thrves. dare confidently al
firm, that in your great country there exists not
single man through whose brains hos ever passed
the thought that he would wish to raise the seat of
his ambition upon the ruins of your country's
liberty, If be could. Such wish is impossible in
tho United Sstes Institutions react upon the
character Of nations. lie who sows wind will reap
storm. History s the revelation of Providence.
The Almighty rules, by eternal laws, not only the
material, but the moral world; and every law is a
principle, and every principle is a law. Men, as
well as nations, are endowed with free will to
choose principle; but that onco chosen, tho conse-
quonccs must be abidcd.
With self government is freedom, and with free
dom is justice and patriotism With ccntraza.
tion is ambition, and with ambition dwclls dcspot-
ism. Happy your great couutry, sir, for being
warmly addicted 10 that great principle of self
government Upon this foundation your fathers
raised home to freedom more glorious than the
world hos ever seen. Upon this foundation you
have developed il to a living wonder Of the world.
Happy your great country, sir that it was selected
by the blessing ef the Lord to prove the glorious
practcabihty OF a fedorative union of many sove-
reign States, all conserving their State rights and
their seli-government, and yet united in one
every star bcaming with ito own lustre, but all to-
gcther one constellation on mankind's canopy
Upon this foundation your free country has
grown to prodigous power in surprisingly
brici period attracting power in that your funda-
mental principle. You have conquered by il
IN Ecveuty-hvc years than Rome by arms in centu.
rics Your principles will conquer the world. BY
the glorious example Of your freedom, welfare, and
security, mankind is about to become conscious Of
its aim. The Lesson you give TO humanity will not
be lost.
The respect FOR State rights in the Federal Gov.
crnment OF America and in its several Stxss, will
become an instructive example for universal tolc-
ration orbcarancc, and justice to tho future States
and Republics Of Europe. Upon this basis will be
got rId OF the miscbievous question Of language ma
uonaiiiics, raised by cunning dospotism In Europe
To murder liberty with. Smaller States will find
security IN the prnCiulc of fcdcratiye while