William Penn Life, 2006 (41. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)

2006-03-01 / 3. szám

Branching Out

with Endre Csornán

Kossuth in Pittsburgh

Over the years I have written many articles about Lajos Kossuth the great Hungarian patriot and brilliant crusader for democracy. In this article I will talk about his trip to the great city of “Steel”-Pittsburgh, PA.

Kossuth grew up in the second quarter of the 19th century when the absolute monarchs of central Europe were waging their last wars. Democracy was in the air. Prince Metternich and his contemporaries knew that this period marked the beginning of the end.

Then came the eventful year of 1848: the French Revolution in Paris; the uprising in Vienna; and the fall of Metternich. The joy of liberal Magyars was unbounded, but it was short-lived. The following year, Kossuth had to flee into Turkey, where he was arrested and thrown into a Turkish prison.

The United States, acting with Great Britain, requested Kossuth’s immediate release from the Sultan of Turkey. On March 3,1851, the Congress of the United States passed a joint resolution, signed by President Millard Fillmore, inviting Kossuth to visit the U.S.

In September 1851 Kossuth, with his family, boarded the Battleship Mississippi in Constantinople. As the battleship pulled out of the harbor and headed westward, Kossuth remarked that he was

now starting upon the greatest mission of his life. He visited New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, where he was the official guest of the congress.

Meantime, the residents of Pittsburgh, acting through their mayor, the Honorable John B. Guthrie, had invited Kossuth to visit this city. Kossuth accepted the invitation, and from that date until his arrival the city stirred with excitement. His arrival was delayed due to heavy snow and intense cold. He finally arrived on Jan. 22,1852, and spent 10 days in Pittsburgh. The first day he was confined to his room, recovering from a severe cold. However, he stepped out on the balcony of the St. Charles Hotel, located at Third Avenue and Wood Street, and made a few remarks to the waiting crowd. .

By noon the next day, a crowd estimated at 12,000 people had wedged their way into the streets surrounding his hotel. Delegations came from neighboring counties of Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence and Mercer. Each day Kossuth was the guest of a different group. He visited many industrial plants, where he addressed the employees. He also addressed the German Association for the friends of Hungary, the Young Men’s Society of Pittsburgh and several church organizations. He indeed was a

busy man.

Let us remember that the people of Pittsburgh and vicinity were indeed earnest in their support of Kossuth. Kossuth and his party left Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 31,1852, with his next stop being Cleveland, Ohio.

The great Magyar Apostle gave back his soul to his creator on March 20,1894, in Torino, Italy.

To forever acknowledge Kossuth’s impact on Pittsburgh and its residents, a large bronze plaque of Kossuth was presented to the city of Pittsburgh on Oct. 2,1949, by the Western Pennsylvania Magyars and today is placed on the outside wall of Point Park College, located at Third Avenue and Wood Street.

The plaque is inscribed;

Louis Kossuth

A great Hungarian patriot,

champion of liberty, statesman and orator, governor of Hungary in 1849. Lodged in the Hotel St. Charles on this site January 22-31, 1852 as guest of the city of Pittsburgh while on tour of the United States.

The main office of the William Penn Association in Pittsburgh, also displays a bust of Kossuth and other Kossuthrelated items.

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William Penn Life, March 2006

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