The Eighth Tribe, 1976 (3. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1976-04-01 / 4. szám
Page 4 THE EIGHTH TRIBE April, 1976 In spite of the grief and sorrow, the convoy’s journey within Hungary develops the atmosphere of a victory procession. Along the way past the Duna, the cities of Nagykanizsa, Siófok, Polgárdi, Székesfehérvár, Velence and Martonvásár, huge assemblages are greeting the deceased, holding flags draped with black crepe and ribboned wreaths. Even from localities where the train does not stop silent prayers and salutations are flowing toward the coffin. Especially touching is the behavior of the country folk. Eh masse they cease their diligent spring labors, stand by the roadbed with hats off, somber faced and teary eyed, watching the rapidly disappearing train. At the West Station in Budapest where the train arrives at 3:00 P.M. on March 30th, an endless throng is waiting outside, while inside numerous delegates and representatives gather. After the presentation of several eulogies, it is getting dusk when the procession arrives at the National Museum where the casket is placed upon the catafalque. The wife and daughter of Kossuth lay in the Roman Catholic Church at Terézváros; they are buried from there tomorrow. Kossuth’s funeral is on the first of April. Kossuth in his study at Turin, Italy. The Capital is no longer able to accommodate all those who arrive for this day. Hotels and restaurants are overcrowded; every family has overnight guests. Villagers sleep on their wagons or in the streets. The city is darkened by people. Special trains from the furthest corners of the country like Orsova and Kassa continue to arrive. Thousands upon thousands set out on foot for the pilgrimage. The whole country is here to bid a last farewell to t he deceased Kossuth. The normally lively and cheerful Budapest becomes a solemn, dark city. Black banners of mourning are seen on every building. Even the poorest suburban homes exhibit a black-draped picture of Kossuth in their windows. The columnar hall of the National Museum, where the catafalque is erected, resembles a flower garden. Both the hall and the steps are filled with hundreds and hundreds of wreaths. The funeral is conducted with an everwhelming participation of the Country. Under the black draped banners, with griefstricken expressions and bitter anguish, a half million people, among them numerous envoys accompany the deceased on his last journey. This is not a funeral but a glorification. It is not a burial procession, but a victory march into immortality. Kossuth Mausoleum in the Kerepesi Cemetery, Budapest.
