The Eighth Tribe, 1978 (5. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1978-01-01 / 1. szám
January, 1978 THE EIGHTH TRIBE Page 3 garian-Americans, has always recognized that the crown belongs to the Hungarian people. It is only right, he said, that it be returned to its home before a whole generation of young Hungarians comes of age without understanding its symbolism. And that is where our self-interest joins so nicely with our adherence to principle. For what the crown symbolizes is nationhood, the very idea we most wish to strengthen among the countries that live in the shadow of Soviet power. The crown will be “placed on permanent public display,” accessible both to Hungarians and to foreigners, including Hungarian refugees, according to terms of the agreement. In this way, the return of the crown is made not only an occasion for improving U.S. relations with a major country in the Soviet bloc, but a device for further opening that country to the West. The Holy Crown has been in the U.S. for over three decades under lock and key. None of us saw it. It was a great disservice toward those Americans of Hungarian Ancestry to not have the opportunity to see this National Relic we have heard so much about from our parents. From this Corner The crown of St. Stephen has been returned to Hungary despite the opposition by portions of American Hungarians. The contention of the U.S. State Department and President Carter is that the crown has been returned to the Hungarian people, and not to the Hungarian government. We can’t quarrel with that. The Hungarian crown belongs with the Hungarian people, not in Fort Knox, U.S.A. The relocation of St. Stephen’s crown to Budapest will not legitimize the present communistic government of Hungary. Until there is a free election in Hungary, that can never be so. But we must he realistic and try to make the best of what we can, always considering the political climate between the two superpowers, and the unfortunate geographic location of Hungary. To live in the past, and not in the present and not facing the future, is self-defeating. To oppose the efforts of the present Hungarian government, to get most favored nation treatment from the U.S. on the grounds that it will help perpetuate a Communistic rule over that most unhappy land does not make sense. Even the most anti-Communist amongst us will try to help his brother living under the Iron Curtain. The most favored nation treatment will help that suffering land more than all the so-called “szeretet” or care packages put together. The return of the crown of St. Stephen has centered worldwide attention on Hungary. Let us use this opportunity to articulate the unfortunate predicament of all the Hungarian people. Especially those living in former Hungarian provinces facing forced assimilation, deprived of their basic human rights. Let us continue to remind the world of the legitimate aspirations of all Hungarians: to be able to live without fear and oppression, whether in Budapest, Hungary, in Cluj (Kolozsvár) Transylvania, or Kosice (Kassa), Slovakia. R. C. Another Viewpoint We believe you understand better than the average American — in fact better than the American politicians and the President himself — that the Crown of St. Stephen is not only a relique of the Past, a jewel of antiquity, but for the Hungarian people — including all the nationalities there — has always represented the integrity, the justice, the Law of the Land. In other words, it is the 1000-year-old Constitution of the people living in the Hungarian Basin. This Crown represented the Constitution, since no ruler of the Country was held legitimate unless he took a solemn oath on this same Crown to uphold the integrity, the justice, the rights, the privileges and the responsibilities of all the people living in the boundary of the Hungarian kingdom... All the people, no matter what particular language they were speaking. For many centuries there were no differences in the rights, the privileges and the obligations among the Magyars, the Croats, the Slovaks, the Ruthenians or the Germans living in the Hungarian Basin. There was no distinction in public life: to hold office, have trade and profession, to own land, to have education, to become a nobleman, or even to be a national leader. In fact, many of the National heroes were Croatians such as the Zrinyi-Subic-es, the Frangepans, the Dugonitses, etc. The same with the Slovaks, such as their most famous poet and statesman, Hviesdoslav Orszagh Pavel, or the Thursors, the Matej Caks, etc. (Continued on page 8)
