Magyar News, 1990. november-1991. augusztus (1. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)

1990-11-01 / 1. szám

László Pal:

Petőfi Sándor

Hungarian Newspaper In America

At the launching of the Magyar News I would like to look back at the first newspaper printed in the Hungarian language in the USA. This was the “Magyar Száműzik tek Lapja”, that is the “Exiled Hungarian ’s News. ” The goal of both papers is the same. They carry information and serve those Hungarians and American friends who are longing to have their interest in the Hungarian heritage fulfilled.

The first issue of the Magyar Szdmiizöttek Lapja in one hundred copies on a modest four pages was printed on October 15, 1853 in New York. Karoly Kornis, a

legal professor from Budapest was the editor. In his editorial outline he stated that the paper should have information on the old country, cultivate the Hungarian language, strenghthen the ties among the Hungarians and keep the Hungarian ethnicity alive.

Despite all these noble goals only six issues were published and by December of the same year it stopped. Now it is cherished treasure in the hands of collectors. The Magyar News fortunately has a better chance and a more appreciative and cooperating local Hungarian community.

ALKONY

Olyan a nap, mint a hervadt rózsa, Lankadtan bocsátja le fejét;

Levelei, a halvány sugárok,

Bús mosollyal hullnak róla szét.

Néma, csendes a világ körűlem,

Távol szól csak egy kis estharang, Távol s szépen, mintha égbül jönne Vagy egy édes álomból e hang.

Hallgatom mély figyelemmel. Oh ez Ábrándos hang jólesik nekem.

Tudj’ isten, mit érzek, mit nem érzek, Tudja isten, hol jár az eszem.

Diósgyőr, 1847, július 8

FINAL RESTING PLACE

Awaited for 122 years

A soldier of Lajos Kossuth, a Major General of the American Civil War was put to final rest in the Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, DC., on October 23, 1990. Alexander Asboth, a native of Keszthely, an engineer by training, joined the Revolutionary War in 1848. After the war, he was sole companion of Lajos Kossuth in the carriage that took him into exile.

Later, during their visit to the United States Asboth decided to stay here. First, he ventured into mining and architecture. Then he worked on the New York City Planning Commission planning Washington Heights and Central Park. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he immediately enlisted. He became General Fremont’s Chief of Staff, Brigadier General and after, the commander of the West Florida Department. Asboth distinguished himself through the Civil War till he was severely wounded in Marianna, Florida.

President Grant appointed Asboth U.S. Minister to Argentina and Paraguay where he gave an excellent service in that war-torn area. Asboth was 57 years old when he died in Argentina with the wish: “It is the free soil of North America in which I would wish to rest in eternal peace ...”

So his final wish is granted to the glory of the United States and the Hungarian people.

STATISTICS

After World War I, Hungary was left with 28.5% of her original land, and with 36.5% of the original population. Romania received 31.8% of the land and 25.2% of the population. Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia each was given around 17% of land and people. The bottom line: In the Trianon Treaty Hungary lost 71.5% of her land and 63.6% of the population. Do you think it was fair?

The Hungarian capital, Budapest, was created in 1873 by the unification of three towns: Buda, Óbuda and Pest.

GRAND CENTRAL

We are used to hearing about the Grand Central in New York not just as a train station but also as a shelter for the homeless. This unfortunate situation now also exists in Hungary. The sudden changes and the poor economical situation created a sizeable group of people who were hard hit in Budapest — many of them were not at fault — and became homeless. They took up residence in the new building of the Southern Railroad Station in Budapest. Naturally the problem there and here are pretty much the same. These people are in need and the authorities do not like that these people spend their time in the railroad building.

ZWACK UNICUM, ZWACK AMBASSADOR

Many of our readers remember the poster of a drowning man who was staring happily at a bottle floating by. The bottle was the Zwack Umcum. This poster survived war, revolution, and it stuck in the head of the people. The Unicum was a good drink, a digestive herbal liqueur with a history back to 1790. Less is known about Peter Zwack who left Hungary in 1948 when the family distillery was confiscated, ended up in the US and became a citizen. He went back to Hungary three years age and with an investor bought 50% of the distillery, became an outspoken person on politics and economy. He was

Selected by Bela Margitay

a regular on TV talkshows and in a short time captured the Hungarian audience. The government offered him the ambassadorship to the US. After some confusion he accepted it, renounced his American citizenship and now he is Peter Zwack, Ambassador of Hungary to the United States. Story for a movie? Yes, but it is reality.

TO THE READER

The loss of the Hungarian radio program on Sundays left our community without any means of communication. The churches and organizations were isolated and the only way to learn about any events was through the gossip line. This isn’t quite efficient and it is lacking the dignity that an ethnic community deserves. To start a publication entails a sizable amount of work, investment and cooperation. For the work there is a need for people to write the articles and find the news in our community. The investment was quickly accomplished thanks to the Hungarian business people around us. They made their contributions as soon as they heard about this publication. The third part is the cooperation. All our churches and organizations came forward with their information. Those who would like to receive the Magyar News at their home should send selfaddressed, stamped envelopes. The newsletter is free, but for the extra handling you might consider a token contribution. For this information check out the back page.

As we grow we would like to carry births, weddings, obituaries and personal messages, travel information and other materials that is to the interest of our community. Naturally your cooperation is neccessary, ask for the Magyar News, keep in touch and read our articles.

Joseph Balogh

" There is no greater suffering than reminiscing about the passed happy days during the bad days of our self-inflicted misery. ”

gróf István Széchényi