Magyar News, 1997. szeptember-1998. augusztus (8. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1998-03-01 / 7. szám
Bridgeport, March 1998 1848-1998 HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION FOR INDEPENDENCE A CENTURY AND A HALF AGO Kossuth in America by Dr. Balazs Somogyi Having accepted an invitation from the American government, Lajos Kossuth, Governor- President of Hungary arrived in New York on December 6th, 1851. Artillery salvos sounded as his ship passed through New York Bay; his welcome in the United States was nothing short of phenomenal. The Mayor of New York City officially greeted Kossuth on his arrival and addressed him as " the enlightened representative of Hungarian independence, the champion of human progress, and the eloquent advocate of universal freedom." According to a contemporary eye-wittness , "people went into a frenzy at the sight of Kossuth, their enthusiasm bordered on delirium." Because of the deafening uproar, he was unable to speak; he stood with folded arms, dressed in black velvet frock coat, with a sword at his side and appeared to be overwhelmed by the magnificent splendor of the moment. Hundreds of thousands lined the Lajos Kossuth streets as the official procession moved to City Hall; the Hungarian tricolor joined the American colors as decorations on the streets. Kossuth and the accompanying dignitaries reviewed a parade of troops marching before him, continuously for ninety minutes. Ralph Waldo Emerson described Kossuth's arrival with these words: " We only see in you the angel of freedom, crossing the sea and land, crossing parties and nationalities, private interests and self-esteem, dividing populations wherever you go and drawing to your heart only the good." According to Charles Sumner: "I remember the landing of Kossuth. The admiration, the enthusiasm and the love of the people which had been gathering force and momentum during the voyage across the Atlantic, gave him an ovation which two men had ever received - Washington and Lafayette." A triumphant tour of the States (continued on page 2) U.S. Mississippi with Kossuth aboard from exile Arrival on the SS Vanderbuilt at New York Manhatan Page 1
