The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-30
A Constitution for Hungary.

ThrOugn Jne OCean IeleRTapD, tne Otner uay,
we received the report that Constitution, with
an independent, responsible ministry, had been
granted to Hungary. The precise nature and
terms of this concession to the demands of the
Magyars we are not told, but we may make
rough guess at them from what we know OF Hun
garian history and of the events of 1848 and ls49
The Hungarian monarchy is now exactly eight
hundred and sixty-six years old. 1t was on the
10Th day of August, in the year 1000, that Stephen
was crowned the first King of Hungary. He
was the first Christian ruler Of the country, his
predecessors, like himself descendants OF Arpad
The founder OF Hungary in Europe, being only
dukes and pagans, their faith resembling some
what the theological system of ZoroasLer Hun.
gary was then, as II has continued up to the
disastrous surl ender at Village III 1S49, a Consti.
tutlonal monarchy, with House of Magnates
like the British House OF Lords, and Chamber
of fDeputies, like the House OF Commons.
This meeting of the country (Ofzdg GyueS),
as Ii was properly called, was really represen-
tative and legislative assembly, not a mere body
called together to register the edlCts of the Gov
eminent, like the Parliament of France before
the great revolution, or a. the present King Of
Prussia wants his Chamber to become. 1t con-
vened only at the call of the King, but We was
bound by the ancient law of the land to call it
together within three years after the adjourn
ment of the last Diet. 1t was at a session of
such a Diet that Maria Theresa appeared,
N l74l, appealing for help, and when the cele-
bTated exclamation, ''MOT1dDluS pro Rege Nos
hO,n assured her OF ultimate success. There was
much dissatisfaction in Hungary, and many Sc
rIous complaints reached Vienna between 1926
and 1862, because Francis, then King OF Hun
gary tailed to convene the Diet within three
years alter its last adjournment The clamor
waxing louder and revolutionary ideas floating
all over Europe since the Partisan July DAYS of
1880, he was at last compelled to issue his royal
proclamation for the meeting OF the two Houses
III 1882. he opened the session in person, and
dinn and fni h.I 1
the then official language of the country he
spoke those words which, though bad Latin,
oratited the Hungarlans Tor the time. ''Ihe
whole world is foolish and wants 10 have Con-
stitution; you have it; keep 1t; Will preserve
1t and transmit it to posterity.H But his pos
terity did not preserve it, as history proves.
However, the Diet that convened in lS47 created
marked Change in the political affairs OF Hun
gary. There had been many encrOachments
upon the ancient liberties Of the kingdom by
the VIennese Government. They insisted for
instance, that Hungary should, like an Austrian
province, become responsible IN SoLido for the
national debt Of Austria which the HungarIans
steadily refused. They introduced q rigid
censorship of the press hitherto utterly un-
known IN Hungary, and against which the
Hun2-rans loudly protested as contrary 10 all
law. They attempted to break up the free trade
in tobacco, and to introduce the Austrian Gov
ernment tobacco monopoly, and there was quite
an alarming revolt in Pesth, the Government
tobacco stores were closed by the local authOrt-
JlCS, anu lllS lOUdCCU COuuSCdlGu anu BOIU Inc
Austrans also brought their frontier gems
d0gnles over the line upon Hungarian soil, and at
one place, at Burch on-the-LeItha, they were
iorcibly driven back by the populace and their
barracks demolished. They also attempted to
interfere with the local sef-government in the
different countess or conStGteS, by appointing,
without lawful authority, so.called admnstra;
many others, created an ill-ieeling among
the Hungarian people against the authorities
in Vienna, that demanded change in the
existing relations. Under these circumstances,
and amid this excitement the Diet of lS47 met,
and 1t had hardly progressed far enough IN its
deliberations when the tocSin of revolution was
sounded from Paris in February, l84S. Thrones
were totterng all over Europe and even loyal
Vienna joined in the Commotlon, so that Meter
nlch had to make very fast time to London for
safety. The Hungarlans, however stood firm,
and the reforms they asked were granted, and
even solemnly signed, and, if we remember
rightly, sworn to by King Ferdinand. These
reforms consisted in the eniranchisemeIt of a
large majority of the Hungarian people, Tor,
up TO this, suffrage was confined only to a
privileged class. There was also created an in
dependent Government Tor Hungary proper, with
a responsible HUNGARIAN Ministry under per-
sOnal representation OF the King rs "Palatinus,n -
and vesting in the liberaliZed Hungarian Diet
exclusive power and control over the military
and finances OF the country, so that II Austria
wanted soldiers or money from Hungary, she
had to az peal through the Hungarian Ministry
to the Diet, and it might either grant or refuse
the request lnls ACTUALLY happened IN lS4S,
when Austria was hard pressed in Italy by
Carlo Alberto, of Sardinia, and it was only by
the influence of Kossuths eloqueuce that Hun
garian army was voted to aid Austria against
the Italians. This tact forces us to remark the
change in the position of the great Hungarian
agitator who has, during the present war in
Europe, been in the pay of Italy, raising legion
to assist her against Austria.
Thus Hungary became, to all purposes, an
independent, selEgo" "erning Kingdom repre-
sented by Austria only abroad automatically.
Not long, however, was this to last. The con-
sternation at this turn of events and at the ease
with which Ferdinand had consented to be
thereafter King of Hungary but ill name, which
must have been great; for at his stern refusal to
revoke his consent, there was a revolution in
the palace and he was compelled to abdicate
that bis successor, not bound by either word or
oath might undo his work. Out OF this sprang
the Hungarian war, the people fighting to retain
their constitution the Government lighting to
amend it,
After the defeat Of the people, all traces of
free constitutional life were at once wiped out,
and trom thence TO this the Hungarians have
been quietly urging and agitating, and as it was
now succeeded. But whether it IS the truly
nperal constitution of 1913 which has now been
revived, or some patchwork, seemingly grant
ing reform without doing it in fact we shall
know only by mail. Until then we can ouly
relterate the automatic ssertiOn Of the London
Times, that II Austria ceased 10 be German, she
must become Hungarian, or cease to exist
altogether. And in order to become Hungarian,
she must allow the Hungarians to be free and
independent.
A pnNVafF AM l. ~