The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-11-27
LOUIS KOSSUTH ILL
Fears for the Recovery of the
Aged Hungarian Patriot.
One of the Grand Old Men, of the
World Who Has Lived in Voluntary
Exile for Many Years.

VIENNA, Nov. 26.-Fears are entertained
for the recovery OF Louis Kossuth, the
Hungarian patriot, whose illness was an
nounced a few days ago. He caught cold
and is now confined to his bed with an
infiamed throat.
In America as well as in Hunga Kos
Suth Is ranked as one of the Grand Old
Men, Of the world. Ever since his volun-
tary exile from his native land he has
lived at his quiet home in Turin almost
in hermit fashion. Yet from time to time
his vigorous mind has sent ringing ne )
sages out to the world, and his name is
still one to conjure with in Hungary. IN
deed, upon him still hinges some of the
dominant issues in the politics OF that
kingdom. Many Americans must still re-
member his warm welcome to that country
when he SO eioquently pleaded Hungary's
cause In 1851.
While known as a Magyar of the Mag
vars Kossuth was a Croat, born on April
q, 1902, at Monok, of a Croatian family,
seventeen members of which between 1927
and lbs had been prosecuted for high
treason by the Austrian government. No
wonder, then, that he became a foe Of
that power. The conflict began when he
was thirty years old, at which time he
was sent TO the Diet at Presburg as sub
stitute for an absent magnate. He took
a leading part in the defense OF prisoners
lenses. His activity was great, and it is
said that when much, occupied he allowed
himself only three hours sleep out Of
IAC J-lOAls III IIltJOllIJ vi tic
counties were aroused against the illegali-
ties Of this royal court OF justice, but nat
urally he was not permitted to go on. He
was arrested in 1887 and sentenced in 1888
to three years Imprisonment, during a part
or which he was cut on from all communi-
cation with his friends, and was denied the
use of pen and ink, and even of books.
In May, 1910, KOssuth was liberated by a
general amnesty. The Diet had become
refractory. To Austria, needing an in
crease Of her military establishment, a levy
of 1900 Hungarian troops was refused, and
Metternich finally resolved upon a policy
of conciliation, and the prison doors were
opened to Kossuth. He came out with
shattered health, but with an ~irdomitable
spirit.
In 1917 Kossuth was returned to the Diet
for the county of Pesth. being strongly sup
ported by Count Louis Batthyanyi, and
soon as an orator and debater he made his
influence felt.
Then came the great work of his life
first as a champion Of the common people
against the nobility of Hungary itself.
and then as the leader Of all Hungary
against the tyranny of Austria. 1t was in
the fall of 1913 that Austrian injustice final
ly drove Hungary to declare its independ-
ence and TO make Kossuth it's Governor or
President. A desperate war followed. Rus
garians were crushed, and Kossuth fed to
the Turkish empire for safety. Doubtless
the exiled leader. in response to the de-
mands and threats OF Austria and Russia,
would have been surrendered by Turkey TO
be put to death. But England and Amer
lea interviewed in his behalf, and his safety
was thus secured. And presently the United
States government sent it's steam frigate
Mississippi to bring him to America as the
Nations guest.
II was on Sept. I. 1851, that Kossuth and
his comrades in exile set out on horseback
and in wagons from Kutaiah. in Turkey,
on their way to a land of liberty. On the
10th they reached the shore of the OAR
d~anelles, and there were received on board
the Mississippi with all the honors due to
the Nations guest. Next day they weighed
anchor and started for the West amid the
salutes of the surrounding Turkish fleet.
At smyrna, syria, SpezZia and other ports
marked honors were pald TO them. On ar
irving at Marseilles Kossuth asked 10 go
through France as fast as the most rapid
mode OF travel would take them. This re-
quest was telegraphed to Paris. and a fiat
prtSed; the people were greatly excited:
they surrounded the frigate. as she lay in
the new harbor. in myriads. singing the
MarSetliaise and other republican songs,
cheering the United States, bearing the
stars and strips surrounded by a wreath Of
immortelles, and in every way testifying
their JOY that the exiles were under the
protection of a nation that was In fact. as
well as in name, a republic. Kossuth did
and said very little under the circGm-
stances; he acknowledged these compli-
ments as n man should do. expressed his
undying love for his own country and his
sympathy with freedom everywhere.
Since the Prince-President Louis Napo-
leon. who was even then planning the in
famous coup d'etat. feared to let the cham
pion OF liberty pass through France. the
Journey was continued by water 10 Gibral-
tar. Thence he went to England in an En-
glish steamer and made a tour through that
country, being received with tremendous
popular enthusiasm And. final