Two yearsago,by God’s providence, I, who would beonly anhumblecitizen, held in my hands the destiny of the reigninghouse ofAustria.
Had I been ambitious, or hadI believed that this treacherousfamilywere so basely wicked as they afterwardproved themselves tobe, the tottering pillars oftheirthrone would have fallen at my command, and buried the crowned traitorsbeneath their ruins, or would have scattered them like dust before a tempest, homeless exiles, bearing nothing but theremembrance oftheir perfidy, and that royalty whichthey deserved to losethroughtheirownwickedness.
I, however, did not take advantageof these favorable circumstances,though the en
tirefreedomof my dear native land was the only wish of my heart. My requests wereof that moderate nature which, in the conditionofHungary and Europe, seemed bestfitted formy countrymen. I asked of the king not the complete independence of my beloved country—not evenany new rights or privileges—butsimply these three things:
First: That the inalienable rights sanctioned by a thousand years, andby the con stitution ofmy fatherland, should beguaranteed bya national andresponsible adminis
tration.
Second: Thateveryinhabitant of my country, without regarding language or reli gion, should be free and equal beforethe law - all classes having the same privileges and protection from the law.
Third: That all thepeople of the Austrian empire that acknowledged the same person as emperor whomwe Hungarians recognizedas king, and the same law ofsuc
cession,shouldhaverestored theirancient constitutionalrights, of which they had un justlybeendespoiled, modified to suit their wants and the spirit of the age.
The first demand was not for any new grant or concession, but simply afresh gua
rantee. In thearrangement made with our ancestors, when, by their free will, they elevated the house of Hapsburg to thethrone,a condition was made that the king should preserve the independence and constitution of thecountry. Thisindependence and thisconstitutionwere the veryvitalityof our nationalbeing. During three cen turies twelve kings of the house ofHapsburghad sworn, in the presence of the eternal God, beforeascending the throne,that they would preserveour independenceandthe constitution; and their lives arebut a history of perpetual and accursed perjury. • Yet such conductdid notweaken our fidelity. No nation ever manifested morefaithful nessto their rulers. And though wepoor Hungarians made endless sacrifices, often at the expenseofournational welfare—though these kings in times ofpeacedrew their-support fromus, and in times ofwar or danger relied upontbe unconquerable strength of ouf army—though we evertrustedintheir word*—-they deceived us a thousand limes, and made our conditionworse.
While othernations were able to applyall their energies to promote the general welfare and to developtheirmeans of happiness, we hadtostand onguard, like the watchmenmentionedin Scripture, for three centuries, to preventour treacherous kings fromdestroyingentirely the foundationofournational existence—burconstitutionand independence.
I,as the representativeof my countrymen,askednothing more than a constitutional ministry whose responsibility would preventtheking from violating hisoath.
The seconddemand was stillless for any political right. We asked for nothing more than a reform in the internal administration of theState—a simple actof justice whichthe aristocracy owed the people. And inthis howmuch the king would have gained1 The strength of histhrone would havebeen increased tenfold by thuswin
ning theaffectionsof hisfaithful people.
The third demand was promptedby humanity and fraternal feeling. It was the proper and holymission of ournation, as the oldest member of the empire, and pos
sessing a constitutional formof government, toraise its voice inbehalfof those sister nations under the same ruler,andwhowere unitedtousbysomany tiesof relation ship. Lovers offreedom, we would not askliberty for ourselvesalone: we would notboastof privileges that others did not enjoy, but desiredto be free in fellowship withfree nations around us. This motive wasinspiredby the conviction that two crowns—aconstitutional and despotic crown—could notbe wornby the samehead, no more than twoopposing dispositionscan harmonize in the same breast,orthan aman can be good and evil at the same time.
The king androyal family grantedthese requests,appealing tothe sanctityof their oathsas aguarantee oftheir fulfillment; andI,weakin myself, butstrong throughthe confidenceof my countrymenand the noble sympathyof theAustrianpeople, pro claimedeverywhere,amidst the raging storm of revolution, that “ the house of Aus
tria should stand; for, by the blessingof the Almighty, it had begun to move inthe right direction, and would bejusttoits people.” It stood, and stood,' too, at a time when, whatever mighthave been the fate of Hungary, therevolutionary tempest,
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES. 23 under my direction, wouldhave blownawaythis antiquated and helpless dynasty like chaff beforethe windsof heaven.
I notonly preserved the house of Austria, but placed in its hands the materialsofa longandgloriousfuture—the foundationof anindestructiblepower in the affection of thirty-twomillions pf people. I tendered them the fidelity andassistanceof my own heroic Hungary, which alone was able to defend them againstthe assaultsof the world. Iaffordedthem theglorious opportunity—more glorious than had ever been presented before—of establishingan impregnable barrierto protectfreedom, civiliza tion, and progress, against the Cossack power, whichnow threatensEurope. To at
tainthis honor, this glory, onething only was necessary—that they should remain faithfulto their oaths. But when wasit thatAustria was nottreacherous ? We look in vain for asmuch honor as is found even among robbers in the Hapsburg family.
On thevery day theysigned the grantofthose moderatedemandsof the Hungarian people,and solemnly swore before Godand the nation to maintainthem,they secretly resolved andplanned the most cruel conspiracy against us. They determinedtobreak their oaths, todesolate the landwith insurrection, conflagration,and blood, till, feeble and exhausted under theburden ofathousand miseries, Hungary might be struckfrom theroll ofliving nations. They then hoped, by the powerof the bayonet, and, if ne cessary, by the armsof Russia, to erect aunited and consolidatedempire, like theRus sian,of sixteen various nations; they hoped to realizetheir long-conceived purpose of making themselvesan absolute power.
Never were so many hellish arts used against a nation before. Notsuspecting a counter-revolution oran attack, wewerenot prepared to defendourselves,whensud
denly we were surprised by danger. The perfidious Hapsburgs, destitute of all shame, and rejoicing in the anticipationofan easy victory, hesitated not to disclose before the civilizedworldtheir horrible plans—to subjugate us by the forceofarms, to excite hatred ofrace, to call in the aid of robbers, incendiaries, and reckless insurgents.
Atthiscrisis ofgreat danger, when many of our ablestmen evenwere ready to yieldthemselves to this decree of destruction, Istood among those who called the na
tion toarms. And, confidingina justGod, we cursedthe cowardswho wereprepar
ing to abandon their native land, to submitto a wicked despotism,and to purchasea miserable existence by sacrificing liberty. I called the nationto armsinself-defense.
I actednot with blindpresumption; and emotions of despair found no place in my breast—for he who despairs is not fitto guide a people. Iestimated the valorand powerof my country,and onthe vergeof a fearfulstruggle I had faith topromise vic
tory, ifHungary would remain trueto herself, and fortify her breast with the impul
sive fireof a strong will.
To sustain the stern resolution tocombatsuch an enemy, we were supported, first, above everything, by our unshaken confidencein God,whose ways arepastfinding out, but whosupportsthe right, and blesses the cause of an honest people fighting for free
dom ; secondly, byaloveof countryand the holydesireofliberty, which makes the childa giant, and increases the strength of the valiant; and, thirdly, byyourexample, noble Americans 1—you, the chosen nationof the God of Liberty! My countrymen—
a religious, a God-venerating people—in whose hearts burnedthe all-powerful feeling ofpatriotism,were inspired by the influence of yoursublime example. ‘
-Freecitizensof America! from your history, as from the star of hope in midnight gloom, we drew ourconfidenceand resolution inthe doubtful daysofsevere trial.
Accept, in the nameof my countrymen, this declarationas a tribute of gratitude. And you, excellent people, who wereworthyto be chosen by the Almighty as an example toshow the worldhowtodeserve freedom,how to win it, and how touseit—you will allow that the Hungarians, though weaker and less fortunatethan you,through the decay ing influences of the old Europeansociety, are notunworthy to beyour imitators,and that'you would be pleased to see the starsof yourglorious flagemblazonthe double cross of the Hungarian coat-of-arms. Whendespotism hurled defiance at us,and began the bloody war, your inspiring example upheavedthe nationas one man, and legions,with all the meansof war, appeared torise fromnothing,as the tender grass shootsup after spring showers.
Though we wereinferior,innumbers to theenemy,and could not compare with theirwelltrained forces—though our arms were shorter than theirsi—yetthe heroic sonsof Hungary supplied the want ofnumbers by indomitable bravery, andlengthen
ed their weapons by a step further in advance.
The world knowshow bravely the Hungarians fought. And itis notfor me, who was identifiedwith the war-—who, obeying thewishes of the nation, stood faithfully atthe helm ofgovernment—to extolthe heroic deeds of my countrymen. I may mention, however, that, while every day it became moreevident that the heart of Eu
ropebeat to thepulsations of the Hungarianstruggle, wemaintained the unequal con flict alone, cut off from therest of the world and all external aid,till ayear ago we laid the haughty power of the tyranthouse of Hapsburg in the dust; and had it not beenfor the intentionaland traitorous disregard ofmycommandsby one ofour lead ers, who afterward shamefully betrayedthe country, not only wouldthe imperial family have been drivenfrom Vienna, butthe entire Austrian nation would have bepn liberated; andthoughby such treason this base family saved themselvesfrom destruc tion, they were so far humbled in March, 1849,that, not knowing how to be just,they imploredforeignaid, and threw themselves at the feet of theCzar.
The emperor hoped that the Hungarian people could be terrified by histhreatenings, and would prefer slavery to death ; but he was deceived. Hesold his own liberty to Russia foraid to enslave his people. The choiceof acowardis topurchase a misera ble, ephemeral existence, even thoughat the costof his honor and independence.
The Austrians fought against us not onlywith arms and by the aid of traitors, but with studied 1unceasing slander. They neverceased to impeach our motives and falsifyour conduct, and vauntthe pretended justice of their own cause before the judg
ment-seat ofpublic opinion. Efforts were constantly made to weaken, among the people of Hungary, and among the nations of the world, that sympathyand force which springfrom a righteous cause.
Free citizensofNorth AmericaI youhave given, in spite ofthese slanders, the full
est sympathy for the causeof my country. We had no opportunity to explain to you our motivesandconduct,andrefute the libels against us: but we said—and howtruly
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
25
your nobleandmagnanimous conduct shows it!—that such a nation knows how to defend a just and holy cause, and ifrill giveusits sympathy; and this conviction inspired uswith more confidence. Oh, thatyou had beena neighboring nation ! The Old Worldwould now be free, and would not have to endure again those terribleconvul
sions and rivers ofblood which are inevitable. Butthe end is with God,andHewill choose the means tó fulfillhis purposes.
Ye great and free people! receive the thanks of mycountryforyour noblesympa
thy, whichwas a great moralsupport in our terribleconflict
When the houseofAustria sold itself to the Autocrat,we, who were fatigued with our hard-earnedvictory, but not subdued orexhaused, saw with apprehension thespec ter of Russian invasion—an invasion*which violated the laws of nations, which was openly hostileto thecause of civilization, therightsof man, oforder, and even to that principle' whichthe diplomacy of Europe calls “ the balance of power.” I could not believethatthe governmentsof Europe would permit thisinvasion; for I expected they would intervene to effecta treatyof peace, ifnot so much on our account, yet to prevent Austria becoming the vassalof Russia-—to check the growing strength and influence of the latterpower in the East.
Wedesired an honorable peace, and were willingto submittoany reasonable terms.
We many times tendered the olive-branch. Weasked the constitutional governments ofEurope to interpose. They heard us not. Thehaughty imperial family, forgetting that they were the real traitors, rejectedevery propositionwith thedefying expression that they “did not treat with rebels.” Aye, more: they threw óur ambassadors into prison,andone of them‘the noblest of Hungary’ssons—they cowardly andimpiously murdered. Still we hesitated to tear asunderforever the bonds that united us. Ten monthswefought, and fought victoriously, in defense ; andit was only when every attempt to bring about an honorable peace failed—when Francis Joseph, who was never our king, dared,in his manifesto of the 4th of March, 1849, to utter the curse
“ that Hungaryshould exist no longer”—when there was no hope of arrestingthe Rus sian invasion by diplomacy—when we sawthatwemust fight tosave ourselves from, being struck off the earth asa nation—when the house of Austria, byits endless acts of injustice and cruelty, and by calling in theaid of a foreign power, had extinguishedin the heartsof theHungarian people everyspark of affection—then, and then only,after so much patience, the nation resolved to declare itsabsolute independence. Thenspoke the National Assembly the words which had longbeen uttered by every patriotic tongue: “FrancisJoseph ! thou beardless young Nero! thou darest to say, Hungary shall exist nomore ? We, the people, answer, We doand will exist; butyou and yourtreacher ous house shallstandno longer! You shall no more be thekings of Hungary ! Be for ever banished, ye perfidious traitorsto the nation1”
We were notonly ready toaccept any terms that werehonorable, but we carefully abstainedfrom doinganything whichwould give the Czar a pretense, which he had long sought,to meddlewith our affairs.
TheHungarian nationloved freedom as the best giftof God, butit never thought of commencing a crusade against kings in thename of liberty. In Hungary there were none of thosepropagandists who alarm somuch the rulers of the Old World. There
were nosecret societies plotting conspiracies. Mycountrymen were not influencedby the theories of Communists or Socialists,nor werethey whatthe Conservativescall - Anarchists. The nation desiredjustice, and knew how to be just to all, irrespective of rank,language, or religion. A people so worthy offreedomwere generous enough to leave something to time, and to be satisfied witha progressive development. No violence was used; no justright was attacked; and even somé of those institutions wereleft undisturbed, which, in their principle and origin, were Unjust,but which, havingexisted for centuries, could notbeabolished at once withimpunity.
The Hungarianpeople did not wish to oppress any—not even the aristocracy: they were more ready to make sacrifices than to punish the descendants of nobility for the evils ofmisgovernment, andofthose institutionswhich emanated fromtheirancestorsj nor would they let the many suffer for the sins of the few.
There wasno anarchyamongus. Even in thebloodiest ofthe conflicts, when the humanpassions are mostexcited, there wasthe most perfect orderandsecurity of pro perty andperson. How did the conduct of my noble countrymencomparewiththat of the “ order-making” Austria I Whenever the whirlwindof war ceased for a while where the social elements were leftin chaos, the instinctive moralfeelingsof this in corruptible people, inthe absence ofall government, preserved better orderand safety thanlegions of police. A common spiritanimated thewhole nation—nosecret aims, no personal or local attacks, butaboldand opendefense in the faceof the world. Fol
lowing the example ofyourgreat Washington, weadopted, as ourpolicy,conciliation, justice and legality,and scrupulouslyobserved the laws of nations.
The Russians and Austrians madethe soil of Wallachia thebasis of military opera
tions : and the Turkish Government, whicheither knew act its own interests,orwas unable to defendthem, silently permitted thisviolation oftreatiesand the rights ofna
tions thus humbling itself and betrayingits own weakness. Several times wedrove
tions thus humbling itself and betrayingits own weakness. Several times wedrove