The Portland daily press., 1864-05-20
Lafayette, Kossuth, GaribaIdi.


The persons above named have occupied
large space in the public mind and called into
active exercise the best feelings of the human
heart. When Lafayette was our nations
Guest, the people everywhere. North and
South, fiocked to see him and shake hands
with the Hero who had done so much to as
sist us in our struggles for Liberty against the
power of England. These noble acts of
Lafayette were warmly applauded and duly
appreciated. Our nation as one man rose
and bid him welcome to our shores. There
was great excitement all over the country,
and the public pulse was quick and strong.
Republics are not ungrateful, as this great
ovation to this nobe-hearted man abuudantly
proved But he sleeps well after life's fitful
fever.
Years after, the learned, eloquent, patriotic
Kossuth rose up before the gaze of the civil
lized world and told the wrongs which had
been done to his country. The worlds ear
was open and drank in his musical and elo-
quent tones. The public heart was moved,
and old England opened her arms and warmly
received him. At that time she was not quite
so much afraid of France as she has appeared
to be since. After receiving such homage
from England, he came to our country. His
fame had preceded him and Americans were
all prepared TO give him a cordial welcome
and warm reception. Excitement ran high,
and his eloquent appeals in behalf of his
down-trodden nation aroused the public heart
to such pitch that purse-strings were united
and money literally poured into his hands.
1t was noble, generous impulse that moved
the hearts Of Americans. The power Of his
eloquence was truly marvellous. Seldom had
such strains ever been heard in any country
or In any age. He has given currency to
many new words and phrases in our language.
Now living comparatively retired life, he is
closely watching the political movements of
the world, and his keen eyes are fastened
upon passing events, and his patriotic heart
absorbed in the interests of his beloved Hun
gary. Kossuth is one of the most remarkable
men Of the age, and his efforts graat and elo-
quept appeals in behalf of his country are
destined to occupy large space on the pages
OF the historian who writes out the events of
on the one subject nearest his heart, shows
his wonderful power of language, the mex
haustible resources of his logic and the bril-
liancy of his Imagination.
We love to dwell on such mind and heart
but the space allotted to this article admon-
ishes us TO refer to the great Italian Hero
who has risen SO high in the political horizon
that the eyes Of all nations are upon him. His
recent and unheralded visit to England, and
his enthusiastic reception by all classes of
British subjects forms remarkable page in
the history of passing events and clearly de-
monstrates how the public pulse is beating in
that section of the world. Never has the
blood Of the nation been so quckened and
the hearts of the masses so deeply stirred
His presence produced everywhere the most
profound sensations. The excitement was so
great that the aristocracy were carried along
upon Its sweeping current and forgot for a
time where they were drifting.
Louis Napoleon looked out from the
.Tuilleries and cast his eyes across the Chan
nel, and change seemed % come over TIC
spirit of their dreams. 1t was suggested, no
doubt, to Garibaldi, that in The present state
Of affairs he might gain more by leaving Eng
land than by remaining on its soil. The Hero
OF Italy knows how to feel the public pulse,
and the one great object of his life is the
Union of his country When bis eyes can
see her salvation he would be willing to close
them in death. and it is not for us to say that
he did not judge rightly. The masses are
always with him, and always will be SO long
as the spirit of Liberty has a dwelling place
upon earth, and having received the homage
of the aristocratic element, he might think it
best to leave while riding upon the topmost
wave OF the popularity of all classes Of Eng
llsh society. We have confidence in his judg-
ment, and all his movements thus far have
been characterized by consummate prudence,
pure patriotism and great love of Liberty.
He Is outspoken for Freedom everywhere
and does not hesitate to proclaim his sympa-
thy with us in our struggle against the slave
holding aristocracy of the South. The SYM
pathy of such a man is not to be slightly
esteemed; for he is the true representative of
the popular feeling the world over. We in
tended to give a brief account of his break
fasting with our Consul Freeman II. Morse,
where he freely expressed his feelings in
our behalf, but we have not space this
morning. We may refer to this remarkable
man again, for he has stronger hold upon
the hearts of the people Of all countries than
any man now living. Such hold gives him
great power, and we are happy in believing
that he exercises it for the good of humanity.