Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1852-01-28
KOSSUTHIANA.

I, NOtNcO L lila ~ a.
Editorial Correspondence of Lewisburg Chronicle
HARRISBURG, Jan. ID, 1852.
On reaching thi. place Friday afternoon
, 1 was not q little gratified to learn tha
kossuth was still here, and that the Ban
quet vas to come off that evening.
secured seat, and thus had an opportunit,
to see and hear the great Magyar unde
highly favorable circumstances. Abou
go persons were present, including mos
of the Legislature, and Executive officers
Gov. Johnston presided, with Kossuth and
the Speaker of the Senate on his right, and
Gen. Cameron and the Speaker of the
House on his left, and next in order, on
either side, the most Of Kossuth's suite,
some of them in uniform. was so lucky
a. to get seat within twenty feet of the
Chief, on the opposite side Of the table 4;
which 1 found to be an excellent point Of
observation My expectations wore high,
but were more than realized. None of
the portraits l have yet seen convey any
adequate idea Of the living original. His
full blue eye is all intelligence, and his
peculiarly expressive countenapce indicates
not only kindness Of heart, and great
mental capacity, but transparent honesty
Of purpose. There is also a mingled grace
and dignity Of manner that commands
respect and wins regard. l do not wonder
At the devoted attachment Of his country
men. When the substantials Of the table
had been disposed Of, he engaged in anima-
ted conversation with Gov. Johnston and
judging only from sight, without being
within ear shot. the impres-inn made on
my mind, before he rose to deliver his
speech, was that he was one Of the most
fascinating men l had ever met. l found
that others near mo had como to the same
conclusion. His height is about five feet
seven inches; his frame slender, but COM
pact and we'll knit, and evidently capable
Of great endurance.
His speech WAS ono of the most effective
he has yet delivered. He spoke from
notes except when he paused to illustrate
bis subject with an apposite and we'll told
auecdote. For the first few minutes l felt
somewhat disappointed; but this soon gave
way before the kindling magic of his elo-
quence and found myself joining, invol-
unfairly, in the enthusiastic applause that
greeted him. His style is 20 unlike the
mass Of our popular orators that 1 am at
loss to furnish a standard of comparison.
He makes very few gestures, but they are
expressive; and there is an
absence Of every thing like storm or rant
ing. As an illustration of the potent
influence of his logic and eloquence, may
mention that Senator Walker, a grey
beaded old man, Of cool, phlegmatic
came to the banquet willing,
as he said, to give Kossuth contributions
Of money and good wishes, but nothing
more. But when ho rose to make the
next speech after kossuth, he planted
himself fair and square upon the Kossuth
platform, and in the midst of shouts of
applause, advocated with vehement ear
nestness the principles of his mission.
Senators Packer, Muhlcnberg and kunkls,
md others followed suite. Every speaker
# the evening, including Gov. Johnston,
'ully endorsed kossuth's principles. Gen.
Cameron made brief but po.nted speech,
n which be acknowledged himself to be a
6 Cameronian," and wound u by offering
IS " sentiment" check for $50. This
vas the signal for "material aid and in
he course of half an hour q "baker's
Iozen' at least, Of similar checks,
ouud their way to the head Of the
able, besides smaller sums. Kos
nth retired about midnight, but the
peaking was kept up till long afterwards;
nd when 1 left, at half past two o'clock
Z lie mc.nirg, was net ye. concluded. u