William Penn Life, 2008 (43. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2008-03-01 / 3. szám
Branching Out with Endre Csornán Kossuth and the Revolution On the 160th anniversary of Hungary’s first fight for freedom, we remember its greatest hero Lajos Kossuth lands on English soil at Southampton in October 1850. Tens of thousands were on hand to greet the hero of the Hungarian Revolution. Despite such receptions nearly everywhere he visited in Great Britain and the United States, no foreign government would offer official support to his fight for Hungary’s freedom. This year marks the 160th anniversary of the 1848 Hungarian Revolution for Independence. On March 15, 1848, Lajos Kossuth, the great statesman and champion of the people's rights, took up arms in defense of national independence and human liberties. Kossuth demanded that "the free soil of Hungary should be inhabited by free men" and "we wish to make the people of our country into a Hungarian nation." In recognition of these movements and sudden changes, March 15 subsequently became the Hungarian National Day. A new Hungarian parliament was formed, led by Lajos Batthany as prime minister and Lajos Kossuth as Minister of Finance. Hungary was transformed into a modern state, and feudalism was eliminated at once. It was not long before the Magyars had to resort to arms to defend their liberties against the armed forces of the king who knew no honor. Under the direction of Kossuth, the Magyars defeated the Austrians and ejected them from Hungary. But, the successful Magyar struggle for freedom was cut short again by the Russian czar. The czar sent division after division to invade Hungary. On Aug. 12, 1849, Kossuth transferred the civil authority to General Görgely. The next day, Görgely's army laid down their arms at Világos. Lajos Kossuth, with several thousand of his followers, fled to Turkish territory where he was arrested and thrown into Turkish prison. The United States, acting with Great Britain, requested Kossuth's immediate release from the sultan of Turkey. Kossuth visited the United States from 1851 to 1852. He made a large scale tour consisting of public speeches and appearances throughout the United States. He was given a royal reception by the people everywhere he went but could not get the official support of any foreign country. Disappointed in his hopes, forsaken by his friends, Kossuth refused to return to the land he loved so much. The great Magyar apostle gave back his soul to his Creator on March 26, 1894, in Torino, Italy. He has remained the hero of his Magyar nation, [wpi] 1ÄS 6 William Penn Ufe, March 2008
