Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-24
The People Of Hungary-The People Of
the Southern States

Since 1851 Hungary has been held as sub
iugated country. The Austrian theory was
that the Huugarians forfeited their constitution
and laws. and the only source Of such rights as
have been accorded to them was the imperial
will. The place once held in Hungary by Kos
srrH is now held by irmer, more practical,
solid and sensible man. This Hungarian leader
is DEAE. Under his inspiration and guidance,
chiefly, the HuugarianS have quietly, but
firmly and consistently, refused to admit the
truth and Justice OF the Austrian theory
They have, on the contrary, adopted such Ian
guace as this 90 The rights and laws we had
before the rebellion, and which were lawful
then, are lawful now, and this continuity Of
rights we will ever assert The address Of
the Hungarian Parliament, in reply To the Em-
peror's late speech, is represented as a calm,
strong, independent document. 1t declares,
among other things, that the doctrine that " %
people IN rebellion lose, rbe, conquered, their
former rights" is ga peraicioas theory, one
that deqdspS al confidence
For sixteen years, under oppression and in
defiance Of both threats aud Establishments, the
Hungarians have continually refused to give
any pledges, OF sanction any arrangement that
involved the surrender OF compromise OF what
they claim as their sacred and inalienable
rights. When subjected to martial law they
silently obeyed it, and they mechanically COM
Piled with all the requirements Of their Aus
trian rulers. They evinced no sulleuness, no
temper, no rebellous spirit, but simply did
what theyiwere told to do-drmly and pcrsiS-
tently refusing, the while, to sanction the pro-
position that they had forfeited their constitu-
ton. This firm, discreet aud consistent course
has exerted a great and growing influence in
their favor, and they now almost seem to have
arrived at that point when an adjustment and
accommodation between them and the Emperor
will take place. \ writer on Hungarian at
fairs. saws " They never lose sight Of the grea
d" fundamental idea OF al jsderatirs iDStitt
" lions. THAT THE CONSTITUTIONS UNTTIN,
STATES ARE INTERNATIONAL AND NOT cIvr
LAW, AND THAT A FEDERAL Authority HAS y
"a POWERS EXCEPT THOSE GRANTED. The Hun
"garians ask only TO have their cOnstitutio
"and laws, aud they promise that they WI
"yield to the General Imperial Government
A" such limited general authority as makes
" strong towards foreign nations, but not capa
"ble to overpower any Of the peoples consti
"tuting the Empire"
There are numerous points Of resemblance
between the condition OF the people of Hungar
and the condition Of the people of tbes
Southern States. There are, however. stron
points of difference. They have been pnder a.
Emperor, we under President; they b,v
beep under an Austrian despotism-tbat mi
versally recognized tyranny Of tyrannies W
have been under Government known as a fire.
government, founded by men who are know
tbe world over, as the enemies Of tyranny an
the apostles of liberty. The Constitution the
contend for was made between King and peOpl,
the Constitution whose protection we claim W,
made by the representatives of States and rat