The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-01
The Progress of Hungary.


The reaction which arrested the liberal
movement Of 1s4s appeared nowhere
more overwhelming than in Hungary.
Yet, precisely as CAvoUR resuscitated
Piedmont on the morrow of catastrophe,
FRANCIS DEAK found means TO lay the
framework of Magyar autonomy upon the
wreck of republican aspirations. The
magnitude, however, of the revolution
wrought by quarter of a century was
scarcely appreciated, until the decisive in
fluence which DEAK's conductors aud sue
cessors were seen to WELD in the councils
OF FRANCIS JOSEPH drew attention 10 the
present condition and outlook of the HUI
garian people.
The new national Constitution, framed
about ten years ago, approxImates closely
to the English type. In the upper House,
or Chamber of Maguates, the entire Roman
Catholic episcopate is privileged to SIT with
the great mobiles. The Chamber Of Depu-
ties is elected by the people, the suffrage,
however, being restricted to three classes.
namely, persons OF gentle birth, those who
pay an annual tax of about five dollars,
and the so-called intellectual capacities-a
broad category which covers the village
schoolmaster. The tradition and habit of
self-government have Mt all times been
cherished by the Magyars; and although
the explicit and peremptory dictation to
| which the members of the ancient diets
| submitted Is no longer arroEated, the
Deputies accept degree of accountability
| to constituents by no means recognized i'll
England or the United States. AS else
where in parliamentary legislation, the
decisive part belongs to the lower House,
| although the function of the Hungarian
magnatcs is more important than that of
the English peers. SO far, the Magyar
Parliament has laiG itself open to the re-
proach OF provoking Cabinet crises too
recklessly, but II Is not surprising that
popular leaders should be slow TO learn
moderation and patience. without which
a government by responsible minis
tiers is hardly practicable. when we con-
slider the inveterate habit of suspicion en-
gcndered by centuries Of betrayal and
disappointment
The student of Hungarian politics must
bear in mind that the abolition OF feudal
| rights and teuures only dates back some
twenty-five years. The power of great
land owners III the rural districts and
especially III the North, is still formidable (;
and consequently, the instincts of envy
and animoslty are still active in the peas
aut class. Nevertheless, the social condi-
tions and public sentiment OF the country
are in process of swift adjustment to the
altered political structure. Already the
enlightened and liberal spirit which is cen
tired in the large towns has become domi-
nant in the popular branch Of the Legisla-
ture
The present financial depression Of the
monarchy may be referred to abnormal
and transient causes. More exclusively
even than Poland, Hungary is an agricul-
tural country. The vast plain which
stretches from the Danube to the CaIpa-
thians is as fat and well nigh as fertile, as
our Western prairies. In such circum-
stance, n failure of crops means general
disaster; and II is n fact that the pro-
ducton Of five successive years has been
crippled TO an unprecedented extent
Moreover, destructive foundations have
annihilated large amount of capital
While the resources Of the State have thus
been straltened, expenditures have been
immensely augmented by the determine.
ton of constitutional Hungary to cover in
n decade the ground traversed by othel
countries III century. Railways, roads
and other public improvements have beer
, hurried forward with n feverish impa
: thence which has lately eliminated in grave
fiscal embarrassment Meanwhile, the an
= nual installments of the large indemnity
secured by law to the quondam feuda
a rronriptOrS must for enmp TINA ponstitut,
= a heavy tax upon the treasury. Yet not
wthstaudlng these accumulated burdens
assumed partly from sense OF equity
and partly from spirit of enterprise ant
, national pride, there is little doubt tina
a series Of full harvests would easily re
trieve the financial shortcomings and re
new the prosperity OF Hungary.
| If we turn from the monetary to tn
religious and intellectual status we fin
1 ground for emphatic commendation. Re
= ligious dissensions are almost unknown il
v Hungary, and this is the more remarkabl
>. because tho population is quite event
I distributed among divergent faiths. O
r the fifteen millions comprised within til
o monarchy, about onc-haf are Romal
g Catholics, four millions belong to the Gree
IS Church united or oricntan, and more tina
d three millions to the Reformed and III
4 theran cOmmunions. 1t might be suppose
that sectaIian rivalries would be intcns
e hed by iealousies of race, the Magyar
IS being Catholics or Calvinists, while IL
: German element is Lutheran, and III
s Slaves adhere to the orthodox rite. Ne,
g ertheloss, priest, pope, and pastor, mcrgiu
b differences Of creed in the fervor of a con
: mon patriotism, eyince spirit Of toleri