Fraternity-Testvériség, 1956 (34. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1956-02-01 / 2. szám
4 TESTVÉRISÉG the replica of the ancient fortress of Vajda- Hunyad, by the lake. The campaign lasted a year, resulting in the amount of $8,629.00, which was enough for every foreseeable expense. Julius Bezerédi, a well known sculptor, was commissioned to execute the statue. Bezerédi came to the United States with the plaster cast of the statue in September, 1905, presenting it to a populous meeting. The fact that the delegation of the Hungarian parliament which came to the United States to participate in the Interparliamentary Congress (St. Louis, Mo.), under the leadership of Count Albert Apponyi, approved the plan, helped it to become even more popular. After this the position of the antagonists became more difficult. Kohányi went to Budapest in July, 1906, to make the final arrangements. There were obstacles to overcome. It was up to Kohányi to convince the Hungarian government that there was no political background behind the offer, which did not want to propagandize a republican form of government. At the unveiling the Hungarian government itself should be represented. The job of convincing, however, was not so easy. It was impossible to conceal that the statue would not only bestow honor on a country which gives shelter and livelihood to the emigrated Hungarians, but carries with itself a silent lesson, especially appropriate for the Hungarian people. The silent statue will shout to the world that there are occasions when a nation is able to regain its freedom and independence, even if it has to pay the price by revolution. The statue would teach that there are occasions when a justified revolution succeeds and it is not an unchangeable law that every uprising must end in defeat. It will demonstrate that a nation not only can become the master of its own destiny, but can also be able to maintain it, if it is based on the rights of the people. Indeed, it can achieve and guarantee progress and prosperity to such an extent that millions of the impoverished people of other nations will be able to establish a secure future on its land. Those who were afraid of the statue knew full well that once the bronze figure of Washington had its feet firmly set on the soil of Hungary, the “father of the American people” will bring a message to the Hungarian nation also. This message was to contain everything he has worked and fought for. In those turbulent years, which were heated with deep national embitterment and desperation, these messages might have harbored dangerous possibilities. Fortunately, there were also people of sincere democratic convictions and broad perspective. Foremost of these was the great Mayor of Budapest, Stephen Bárczy, and Eugene Rákosi, the outstanding figure of Hungarian journalism and literature. If the opposition was finally silenced, these two popular and much-respected men were responsible for it. Their prestige became the deciding factor in the controversy. The date of the unveiling was fixed to be September 16, 1906. The historic event was a marked success, without any undue episodes. The cabinet ministers were present: Count Albert Apponyi, the minister of education and religious affairs; Ferenc Kossuth, the younger son of the great Louis Kossuth, minister of commerce, and Géza Polónyi, the minister of justice. The parliament, the hierarchy of the churches, the diplomatic, literary and scientific world was equally represented by outstanding personalities, among them the popular U. S. Consul General, Frank Dyer Chester, whol already spoke Hungarian. The main speaker was Eugene Rákosi who glorified the “citizen” in Washington. He spoke about the other statute, that of Louis Kossuth, in Cleveland, also erected by the American- Hungarians. The statues are two gigantic chain links, tying continents and nations strange to each other. Here is Washington’s example — we, Hungarians, also will know no rest until we establish a free and independent country for ourselves. Kohányi presented the statue to the Hungarian capital with a few appropriate remarks, emphasizing the loyalty and duties toward the two countries. Mayor Bárczy accepted the gift officially: “This statue will always be an unfailing, eternal fountain of strength in our struggles toward real freedom, the prosperity of the entire nation and democratic independence.” There were also present about 200 American- Hungarians, who made the trip to Hungary mainly to be present at the unveiling. A few of them are still living, like Mrs. Elek Csu- toros, Morris Cukor, John Weizer. Since then the statue has seen many spirited celebrations. On the anniversaries of the unveiling or on the 4th of July, the American colony of Budapest has never failed to place a wreath on the statue. Former President Theodore Roosevelt, visiting the Hungarian capital in 1912, did the same. The statue probably stands even today, teaching the old truths
