Fraternity-Testvériség, 1942 (20. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)

1942-02-01 / 2. szám

TESTVÉRISÉG

7

gary” were embroidered upon it with steel beads, and it contained $1,040 in gold.

Kossuth’s reply was eloquent. He said: “Ladies, this book shall be placed on the dearest spot on the altar of the restored liberty of my Fatherland. I would like to be the humble

instrument to place it there, but if that should not be my happy lot, I bow with submission to the decree of Providence. I may not live to see it done, but it will be placed there,— that I promise you. The Lord bless and protect you and all you love.” (I have often wondered what become of that precious book.)

Kossuth then delivered his farewell speech in Pittsburgh. It is much too long to repeat here. The old Gazette Times, in summing up this last meeting said, “The scene Avas pleasing,

yet sadly beautiful. There was a moral sublimity and grandeur about it, united with a touching sadness, that left hardly a dry eye in the house. Kever shall we forget the mild and melancholy tones of his voice, as he delivered this speech. The effect was indescribable. It wound up the soul to a pitch of sympathy almost painful. This, his farwell speech in Pittsburgh, contains an expression which ought to move the hearts of all women, and men too, in America.”

Let us remember that the men and women of Pittsburgh were in dead earnest in their support of Kossuth. For I find that on the last day that he was here, both local papers announced that material aid, as Avell as sympathy was needed. The citizens Avere called upon to contribute muskets, rifles, pistols, and ammunition to the cause he represented. General Larimer, Treasurer of the Association for the Friends of Hungary of Allegheny County, received the offerings and gave receipts for them. The announcement went on to say that “During the war of 1849, Kossuth found it impossible to arm one-half of the men avIio offered their services. Let him not fail again for that cause. They could raise an army of 400,000 men if they had arms. Send in the guns — they are not needed here, but they soon Avill be greatly needed over there.”

But I must close. Kossuth and his party left Pittsburgh on Saturday, January 31st, his next stop being Cleveland. From there he went to Columbus, Louisville, Ky., and as far west as St. Louis. After spending about three months in the United States, lie returned to Europe. He died March 20, 1894, being ninety-two years of age. I know of no man whose visit to this city aroused so much sympathy and devotion as shown to this Hungarian patriot, 90 years ago today.