Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-07-06
KOSSUTH ON THE WAR IN ITALY.


The great Hungarian patriot who for the last few
years has been leading life of comparative retire
ment in London, apart from the storm and strife OF
political agitation, has recently emerged from his
privacy and has made two speeches-one at Man.
chester and another at the London Tavern-to i'm
mense crowds, on the subject of the war in Italy,
which are remarkable for their coquence and adroit-
ness, however open to criticism they may be in 9th
er respects.
As might naturally be supposed, he regards the
present attack ON Austria in Italy the prelude to
the dsmemberment of that Empire, and hopes that
in the melee the independence Of Hungary may be
established He does not consider the Italian ques-
ton to be of disagreement on the part OF Aus
tria so much as it is of unappea>able hate against
foreign dominion on the part of the Italians. No
amount of concession by the Emperor Francis Joseph
short of abandonment of his sovereignty can, in Kos
suth's opinion, ever reconcile the LombardS and
their German task-masters. The only possible set
Element of the Italian question which will last Is the
expulsion Of the AuStrlans and the establishment OF
the rule that the Italians shall govern Italy.
The main object of kossuth's speeches was to per-
suade the British people that strict and continued
neutrality under all crcumStanceS-whcther the war
be confined to Italy not-is the best policy for
England to pursue, and to warn them against the
dangers of being involved IN the conflict on the side
of Austria against France and Sardinia He treats
with contempt Englands apparent respect for the
treaties of 1885, he urges the necessity after Aus
tra is driven out of Italy, OF deprivns her of the
power of getting back again. and says that this can
only be done by France and Sardinia pursuing their
advantage into other portions OF the Austrian En-
pire; and the 'localzation of the war" ne scouts
as a ridiculous scheme Of the dplomatists y con-
siderable portion of the gifted Magyars orations is
devoted to an ingenious argument to prove that the
idea is absurd that the maintenance of the integrity
of Austria is necessary for the preservation of the
balance of power She can be no barrier against
Russia because seventeen millions of her population
are of the Sclavonic race, who. if invited by the
Car, would rise at once against 1.-The oppressor of
their nationality" and she cannot be barrier
against France, because France has but to advance
to the frontiers of any of the nationaes oppressed
by Austria, and say: Here am to help you; rise
and throw off the yoke of AUSTRIA and they will
hail the invitation with enthusiasm. 1t is hard to
say what effect kossuth's influence would have on
the minds of the HungarianS, of this day. were
France to bid them rise and accept her help to shake
off the Austrian yoke; but history records that Ma
poleon once addressed proclamation from Pres
burg to the Hungarian people, in which words Of
similar import were to be found and, instead of
cepting the proftred assistance the Magyars ocked
to the standard of their own sovereign to sustain
him against his enemies
Were Austria demolished and the necessity to
arise the part of Great Britain to look after the
establishment of new balance of power-"a d.
plomatic phrase for policy of enlightened selfde
fence "-kossuth thinks that free and independent
Italy will resist the encroachments of France and
that free and independent Hungary will be the
most effectua bulwark against the advance westward
of the Russian colossus. But the distinguished
Hungarian does not believe'that there is any need
of balance Of power of any Sort because he does
not believe that Napoleon III or Alexander II has
any intentions Of territorial conquest selfagrar-
dlzement. He believes that the French Emperor is
inspired by thoroughly unsefsh desire to literatc
the oppressed nationalities" and that, when this
is accomplished, he will return to his own empire
perfectly satisfied, asking and receiving no other
reward but the consciousness that he has benefited
liberty.
The London Times does not seem to have been
persuaded by kossuth's reasoning on this head, or
to agree with him that France is a lamb, and Rus
STA dove, while Austria-enterprising innovating
Austrla-is the sword of Damocles hung over the
head of Europe" The Times doubts whether prac-
tcal England is ready to adopt Kossuths theories
For the present." it says, "onr resolution is to be
neutral. For the future, we cannot answer: but
we feel quite sure that our conduct will be guided
by considerations very different from those which
inspire the eloquence of the sentimental politicians,
for whom history has no teaching, political wisdom
no authority, and who have uniformly contrived to
extngnish the natonaties of which they are the
champions"
So long as the war is confined to Italy, and the
Only dispute is, whether Austria shall or shall not
be expelled from Lombardo- Venetia, it seems very
probable that England will adopt Kossuth's advice,
ana observe strict neutrality while she arms her.
Sell at all points to provide against every contingent
cy. But it does not seem at all probable that Eng,
land and Prussia will permit Austria to be wiped
out OF the map of Europe and her nom Italian pos
sessions parceed off as Louis Napoleon may desire
without an effort to avert result which might
prove disastrous to themselves. While Austria is
hghtlng tor the maintenance of her authority in he,
extra federal possessions, Prussia is not bound
TO assist her; but, were the German possessions o.
Austria to be attacked Prussia would be Obliged b,
the 46th article of the federal treaty, to aid her anc
make common cause with her against her foe The
established policy of England and that to which
she still adheres, would be equally opposed to tn,
wholesale destruction of the Austrian empre which
kossuth recommends. 1t is not unnatural that h,
should use every exerton to realize the great obec
OF his life and so many glorious efforts-the indie
pendence OF his country; but practical politics AMI
considerations of selfpreservation NAV, and Doubt
less will impel England to interfere to prevent Il
should it appear that the only way Hungary can b.
made free is to allow France to ACQUIRE moral an,
material supremacy in Europe Washinqton Con
situation. WV
The NAN FOR THE T1MEs.-The New York Neu,
in on rfInIn D.