St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-03-22
LOUIS KOSSUTH.

The death of Louis Kossuth, the Hun
garian patriot, which was announced
yesterday, created but little public in
terest, and yet at one time it would have
caused worldwide sensation. For
few men in Europe have occupied a
larger place in history than the self
eXiled, impracticable, visionary revolu-
ZIONIST who at last closed his eyes amid
peaceful surroundings upon life that
had been full Of contention and strife
and hardship-rieh in its rewards for
faithful service at times, but at other
times harsh in its treatment.
KOSsuth'S youth was spent among the
shabbygenteel surroundings of decayed
nobility. His parents were of noble
lineage, but had been reduced to pow
erty. Heaccepted service in the house
hold of titled lady. and soon attained
confidential relations. He early became
infected with the prevailing republican
fever, and became Radical member of
the Hungarian diet. He edited paper
which was circulated in manuscript in
order to escape the penalties of the
proscripiive press laws. He attempted
Autographed, but spent five years in
prison as penalty. After his release
he was again sent to the diet, and by
his eloquence and aggreSSiveneSS soon
became the leader of the Liberal party.
He was one of the chief inStigatGrs of
the revolution Of 1913. On the disSolu-
ton of the ministry he was placed at
the head of the committee of national
defense. AT his dictation the iudepend-
ence of Hungary was declared in 1919,
and he was created provisional governor.
Perhaps his ambitions would have been
realized at this time had it not been for
the intervention of Russia on behalf of
the Hapsburg dynasty. Kossuth was
defeated by the Russian army, and fled
to Turkey, where he was held prisoner,
an interposition that no doubt saved his
life, for if he had fallen into the hands
of either Russia or Austria his career
would have ANONYMOUSLY ended.
Escaping the vigilance of those who
were lying in wait for him, kossuth in
1851 reached England aud the United
States. In both countries he received
magnificent ovations. He lectured in
all the principal cities in this country
to immense audiences, and received the
highest honOrs. He returned to Eng
land. and from his asylum there sent
deluge of political manifestoes for cir
culation in Hungary. The Italian war
with Austria excited him, and he went
to Turin to live, where he gave all EN-
couragement and assistance in his
power to the enemies of Austria. He
has resided in Turin ever since, engaged
i'll literary work, and occasionally dis
tributing circulars aimed at the peace
of Austria. Occasional reports of his
extreme poverty have reached the
world, but these were. short time ago,
proved to be groundless, as he was in
receipt of a large income from his lit
erary work, and had contract with a
publishing house for his memoirs.
which he was engaged in writing, that
assured him against want
koSsuth was admired and admirable
in many of his characteristics. But like
the majority of revolutionists and re-
formers he was TOO much devoted to
theory. His conceptions of liberty were
ideal: they were not practical. That
he has accomplished much for the cause
of human freedom is not to be Ques-
toned. Ii his zeal had been tempered
with conservatism he would have
achieved still higher distinction, and
more pronounced results.