New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-01-23
The Democratic Movcmon, ia Flungar,

We translate the following extract from
an able and instructive article in the Dem
o{rohscAer VoKerbund, drawn forth by the
letter recently published in The Times, Of
London, over the signature Of Count Cas-
mir Battbyany. The article comes, no
doubt, from the pen Of Mr.. GYUGM,N. the
senior Editor of the Voi{erJund who, as a
journalist Of long standing in Hungary
itself, and a member of the reform party, Is
able Ia speak from his own intimate knowl-
edge Of the movements there. both before
aud during the revolution OF that party,
rs he assures the public, Couat CasimH
Batthy any was a prominent member, as
was his brother Louis, both taking the most
decided grounds against the preservation
OF the feudal privileges of the nobility aud
in favor of the democratic principle of
equal rights TO all classes The letter m
The Times is therefore, so entirely in con-
uadiction with the previous career of its
alleged writer that the VotterJund is unable
10 admit its authenticity. The purpose of
the passage we translate is to show the
gradual development Of democratic prin-
ciples in Hungary, and that Democracy
wac recognized by the most intelligent and
patriotic as the only means of preserving
the National independence from entire alb
Sorption 10 the centralized despoiism of the
Austrian Empire. This proves that Kos
suth pursued no violent and unnatural course
but one perfectly in accordance with the
state OF his party and with the history, the
circumstances and the necessities Of the
country. With these remarks we commend
the extract 10 cur readers
The early Constitution of Hungary was ans.
tocratic and leudai. The Four Estates Of the
Kingdom, namely, the superior clergy, the barons
and msgnates, the nobility with the inferior
clergy, and che royal free cities, formed the basis
OF tins Constitution. They composed the sover.
ciPt nation, and under the title Of imperial no.
5ihty. Houopolized al political administrative
AID judicial functions. An exception was made
oned among the imperial nobility only IN their
collective capacity, and not in the person Of In.
di,idual citizens.
The Hungarian nobility enjoyed great privi.
iee5S. Il had the exclusive possession OF all pub
ne othces It had Immediate jurisdiction in all
civil cases. and in many criminal cases. It held
he exclusive tight Of owning real estate II was
exempt from taxation and from military service
and alone had the night Of direct representation
IN the Imperial Diet The superior CLERGY and
The barors with the msgnaies, formed the Upper
House, or The table Of magnaies.
very unequal distribution OF nights prevailed
anons tie different classes While the nobility
proper including the hrst three classes, enioyed
tie iuii privilege Of selt-govenment IN counties
the Free Cities had only magistrates. IN. whoa
choice the citizens took 10 part whatever. and
who were under the controlling influence Of
the Government. While the aob.h,r. by mean,
OF their private funds were able TO provide for the
expenses OF the county. without consulting the
Government, the Free Cities could not establish
Normal School. nor repair the pavement of the
street, without obtaining he previous consen,
OF the Treasury. While the nobility were exe-nnt
nom taxation and military service the Free Cities
were compelled to share both burdens with the
peaSanIry. While the nobility exercised all the err
ecuu'e and judicial functions, the common Cit.
zens could hot attain the higher degrees ofpubl,c
service, eyenifthey had been previously ennobled
While the nobility possessed the exclusive priv.