The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-27
BAD DAYSIN HUNGARY
DRAMATIC EPISODE DURING THE
GREAT REBELLION OF 1s49.
Tale OF Princess Who offered TO
Resign Royal Rights and Marry
a Condemned Patriot.
Paris Figaro.

Now. when the man who was the soul Of
the Hungarian revolution has just died. far
away from the country whose independence
he tried to win. 1t may be interesting to
bring before our readers one of the most
dramatic episodes of the rising Of 1S49, and
TO introduce upon the scene firm disciple
and faithful friend OF old Kossuth
When, on the morning of the 9Th OF Oc-
tober, 1913. the news OF the taking of Ko-
morn reached Pesth, there was nothing but
CONSERVATION and Encouragement in the
ranks of the patriots. The old citadel of
Komorn in the hands of the Austrians
meant nothing less than the final abandon
ment Of all the hopes of Hungary. 1t was
the cause OF independence crushed; it was
the commencement of reign OF terror.
As long Komorn resisted the Cabinet
OF Vienna pretended that it would exercise
clemency. and the Hungarians hoped that
there would be no reprisals. But with the
surrender of the fortress the conquerors
considered that they had no reason to spare
the conquered; and repression the most
terrible and odious in the records of the
history of the modern civilized world was
exercised throughout the rebel territory.
To Pesth came dispatch from the young
Emperor Francis Joseph, giving an order
TO bring Immediately before courts martial
all the prisoners who were confined Then,
as If by enchantment, all life seemed to
leave the town. The houses were closed
the streets and squares were deserted. and
that silence which of old reigned in the
Rome OF Nero and Caliguia, and which
Tacitus called 'the companion of tyranny
came over the two banks of the Danube.
In the high square tower OF the City Hail.
behind the Ludovicum, the council as
sembled. 1t was composed of Austrian Off
GERS and soldiers, presided over by Gen.
Windischgratz, the conqueror of Rakos
and Presbourg.
The prisoners appeared. They numbered
eIeven-nine men and two women-all
cused OF taking part In the insurrection of
the two previous years.
After having rapidly proved their iden-
tity, the court examined them summariy,
and finally asked each one if he had any
thing TO say in his defense. The greater
portion of them refused to answer, closing
their mouths in a disdainful silence, well
aware Of the fact that their pretended
military judges were there to condemn
them and not TO try them.
In few minutes the cases Of the first
ten prisoners were disposed Of
COUNT BATTHYANY.
When the eleventh was called, tall and
strongly built young man appeared. There
was a defiant and proud expression in his
eye His blonde beard was long and silky,
and his whole aspect inspired respect and
sympathy. When the crier called aloud,
Count Louis de Batthyany, former presi-
dent of the Council of Ministers of Hun
gary" there was movement of curiosity
and emotion in the crowd. and even among
the judges.
This last one of the accused rose, and In
manly and sonorous voice presented his
defense. He began by refusing energeti-
caly to recognize the competency of the
judges to try him, declaring that a
Hungarian, he could only be judged by
Hungarians and that. as a Minister tried
for ministerial acts he should be turned
over to the Jurisdiction of the High Court
of the High Chamber of the National Diet.
He spoke at length and recalled with elo-
quepce the services rendered by his family
TO the cause Of Austria, since the day
when a Batthyany conquered at Hohacsz
down TO the time when bis grandfather ut
tered the famous shout, Let US die die f for
nasty Of the Hapsburgs.
But all was in vain; His judges ex-
pressed Indifference and some sneered.
Finding that defense was useless before
such court he sat down.
The members of the council then left the
hall to go though the form or delibera-
ton. They returned in a quarter or an
hour and the clerk read the sentence.
Two old men, Generals Kiss and Schwel-
del, were condemned TO be shot. Louis de
Batthyany Nagy-Sandor Damjanich and
the other insurgents were sentenced to be
hanged and their property conrScated.
AS to the two women. Esther Lazar and
Adele MaderSpach, the court dld not dare
to sentence them to be shot or to be
ment for feminine modesty more cruel
than death. They were condemned to be
All. according to the usage, were allowed
three days to implcre the clemency OF the
Emperor, Then. moved by the same senti-
ment. and if in response to this last act
OF tyranny, they rose, all a little pale, but
with flashing eyes, and together they shout
ed. ELLEN a haza" C'Long live our coun-
try.')
When the Countess Elsa de Barthyany,
who was in Vienna, heard of the convic-
Ion Of her she axh cd nQif
ishment nor anger. During two months she
had experienced all the bitterness that the
heart of a mother could endure. Her two
brothers fell, one at Komorn and the other
at Villages, for the cause OF their country.
Her Oldest son; Casimir. prescribed wan
derer, was at last forced to seek safety in
flight; and now Louis, the youngest, the zone
upon whom she lavished most of her solicit
tude and affection, was about TO be exc
cuted.
Too noble to know hatred, and too ener-
eetic to allow herself to be cast down, she
resolved TO do everything possible TO save
her son even at the cost of her patriotic
PLEADING FOR HER SON.
She went to the Imperial Palace and OBJ
tanned audience with the Archduchess
Marie-Anne, the Emperors aunt, who was
then about forty years old. woman of
naughty mien, and of a character both mar
row and cruel. But she enjoyed at court
unlimited authority and influence In the
bottom OF her heart she concealed a secret
and ardent love for Louis Barthyany,
whom she had at the tribune OF the
Diet, and TO whose fiery and splendid elo-
quence she listened with delight. when his
magnificent voice thrilled the entire assem-
bly,, which rose in fever of excitement
TO give him triumphant cheers.
This passion, however, was known to the
mother of Louis. She threw herself at the
feet of the Princess. Bent down by grief,
with extended supplicating arms, and her
breast heaving with sobs which she could
her from speaking. she implored her to
have pity on the captive that she loved
and to spare him the shame of degrading
death.
The Archduchess Marie-Anne lifted her I'D
and then reflected for considerable time
In silence. Gradually her features assumed
an anxious expression and her eyes blazed
with a mysterious and profound express
sion. Madam" said she slowly, ''I will
set out this evening. Tomorrow / shall see
your son. If he consents to obey me, 1
swear to you that / will obtain for him
from the Emperor his life and his liberty"
And she offered her two hands TO the poor
mother, who then commenced to have some
hope.
The next day the Archduchess visited
Batthyany. Count Louis" said she, there
Is lady born on the step of throne, a
princess OF royal blood, the obJecI of the
adulation of entire people, who is ready
TO descend from the throne and renounce
her rank for YOU This Is because she
loves you with a passion all the more ar
dent because she has neither the advan-