Verhovayak Lapja, 1937. január-június (20. évfolyam, 1-26. szám)

1937-03-27 / 13. szám

VOLUME XX.

ENGLISH EDITION march 27, 1937

No. 3

1848-------TRIANON ... 1920

Stephen K. Huzianyi

In a supreme crisis it can be seen whether the sentiment of patriotism is devoutly cherished in the hearts of the people. This is weighed when a nation is chained, when its territories are under foreign invasion that its people, both at home and abroad — no matter to what corners of the globe they have gone — that they treasure and foster the work begun, the task of their forefathers.

We turn to the history of the Hungarian nation during the last hundred years for it is those mournful events which have transpired that we feel the bitter pain of agony. The first Hungarian War for Independence in 1848-1849. Instantly, we link the great heroes —- Kossuth, Petőfi, Kölcsey, Batthyányi, Csanyi and others — for such patriots can never be seperated from Hungary; they have left this world but their undaunted souls remain with us. They enkindled the spark in the hearts of the Hungarian nation; they lit that spark which moved the people desiring armed expression against the despotic Habsburg dynasty, the reigning House of the Austro- Hungarian Empire; fo.r the Emperor of Austria was the King of Hungary. It was a sad misfortune that befell the Hungarian nation in 1527 when the St. Stephen Crown of Hungary was transferred upon the unworthy heads of the Habsburg rulers who are characterized by perfidy and faithlessness. All their promises of adherence to the Hungarian Constitution of 1222 was treacherous and black as were their very souls. These so-called rulers of Hungary — these Habsburgs were heartless, following despotic principles and governed by the Austrian Camarilla. Each ruler in turn, found a way to plot and to exterminate the ideals for which Hungarian patriots had for centuries so uobly given of their lifeblood for humanity. Each Habsburg ruler in turn, like a dragon, encircled Hungary from where wailings and tears of the lacerated echoed into the very abode of the despised Habsburgs. But the. spark of Hungarian freedom — that freedom which

was trampled upon by these foreign rulers — the spark of Hungarian freedom took form; it set with unswerving aims in the hearts of each

Hungarian generation that passed after the fateful year of 1527.

In 1802. on April 27, in Monok, Zemplenmegye, was born Louis Kossuth. His education was in a school at Ujhely, and later at the Calvinist college of Sárospatak; then the study of law at the Lutheran- college of Eperjes. And finally, this future statesman, went to Pest to attend the High Courts of Law. In the meantime, the seeds of hatred, distrust and vengeance against the Habsburgs, grew in Louis Kossuth, Pie was indignant to the law of the despotic rulers and in 1832 he published reports of the Diet and in such

form that it escaped the eyes of the Habsburgs’ censors. Thus, by voycing the desires of the Hungarian people, Kossuth became recognized

as a man of influence — even recognized by the Austrian ruler who then imprisoned him in the fortress of Buda. Here, Kossuth was denied any communication whatsoever. Even after his two year term expired, the Habsburg ruler, fearing this great Hungarian patriot, made new faults against him, thus sentencing him to four more years in the dungeon.

But upon his release from prison, Kossuth recruited his ill health and commenced a work that was a rising fear in the Austrian Camarilla. Every move they intended to make for the suppression of Hungary, Kossuth foresaw; every plan and scheme against Hungary that they made was thwarted, was frustrated by Kossuth. His name was on the lip, was in

the heart of every freedomloving Hungarian. Kossuth was recognized — he defended the noble Hungarian cause; he became consecrated in the soul of the Hungarian nation. At the head of a delegation to Vienna in March, 1848, Kossuth was given his demands; he reobtained possession of the Hungarian Constitution and immediately formed a Hungarian cabinet, which was composed of such outstanding Hungarian patriots and leaders as Count Louis Batthyányi , Francis Deak, Count Stephen Széchényi and others.

It seemed that the Austrian ruler had at last succumbed to the intense feelings of the Hungarian wishes, but such was not the case; for underhand, the Austrian Camarilla stabbed Hungary in the back; they enticed the Croatians and Serbians and then the Wallachains into revolt against defenseless Hungary.

During the middle of May 1848, the insurrection started and every horror of human imagination was perpetrated upon the Hungarians. Austria remained stern. The situation in Hungary grew tense. Croats and Serbs had sent an army against the Hungarians. What could be done to stem the tide of this wild, outburst?

Kossuth addressed the Hungarian people. He related to them what was being done; that an uprising had commenced in the outlying districts of Hungary, that the Austrian Camarilla committed perjury, that an Hungarian army was necessary and provisions for this army had to be had; and that the Hungarian treasury was without funds. It seemed that at this moment Kossuth’s voice failed him —silence reigned in the hall. Then Paul Nyary stood up and raising his right hand, exclaimed in a loud voice, “Megadjuk,” or “We grant it.” Following his words four hundred hands were raised and in one voice the Deputies shouted '‘Megadjuk.”

Homed — Home Defense — troops were immediately called for and organized, equipped and put into the field against the marauding Croat and Serbian invaders. Hungarians from cities, villages and farms, rallied to the red. white and green tricolor. Even many of Prince Esterhazy’s private soldiers in Vienna, escaped that city and came to Hungary to fight for the sacred cause of Hungarian freedom. The life-blood of the Hungarian people was concentrated in vain efforts to prevent the despotic Habsburg ruler and his paid emmissaries from precipating Hungary to doom. For many months Hungarian soldiers fought courageously and had almost defeated the Austrians in every one of the late battles, but an ill omen appeared. The north-In the Board of Directors’ room of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association Dr. Louis Alexy Royal Hungarian Consul General and Joseph Daragó Supreme President unveil the gift of tKe Hungarian Government: A miniature replica of the artistic creation of György Zala, the statue of Árpád, first leader of the united seven tribes of Hungarians.