Fáklyaláng, 1966. június-október (7. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1966-10-01 / 7-12. szám
FÁKLYALÁNG 39 SPEECH OP TEE HONORABLE EDWARD J. PMTffl UPOH THE OCCASION OF THE HUHOARIAH REVOLUTION. OCTOBEB 1956 MR. PATTEN. Mr. Spsater, laat November »hin I Plaited Hmeary everjvhere I sa„ tte Russian soldiers 1» complete control of these poor people and my ulna turned bach to October 1956 uben thousands of Hunearians, fleeing the Red Terror* came to Camp Kilmer as refugeesa The Hungarian Revolt vas one of the most thrilling, heartbreaking, and ave-insplring events of our lifetime. Thrilling, because It vas unequivocal proof that communlslo vas objectionable and unbearable to freedom-loving people. Heartbreaking, because of the destruction and massacre wrought by- Soviet and Communist forces on the population of Hungary. Around 30,000 Hungarians were killed; 200,000 fled in search of refuge. Awe-inspiring, because virtually unarmed and unprepared, the valiant Hungarians fought for seven days against suicidal, insurmountable odds. Seldom in history has man been so sorely tested — his beliefs, principles, and desires so magnificently demonstrated. To stand before those of you who participated in or were tragically affected by that outcry for human dignity and liberty does indeed fill me with the deepest awe and respect. Time, ten years’ worth, I am sure has not erased, nor even diminished, the-images, the emotions, the terror, the exhilaration, or the agony in your memory, forgive me if my words should unintentionally insult that memory, for as a non-participant I will never be able to share the full realization of the significance of that event to you as an individual or to Hungarian people was not a planned revolution. It grew almost spontaneously from the seeds of discontent — a discontent resulting from the gap that existed between Communist promises and reality. World communism has never recovered from the blow that revolt dealt I to its image. For the Hungarians demonstrated to the world that ! communism had been superimposed on them, but not accepted by them; I they focused world attention on the actual and abominable Soviet motives and on the atrocious Soviet use of force against a virtually J defenseless people. Whatever attraction the Communist system had held for the developing nations was greatly lessened. Communism was stripped of its idealistic camouflage, bared to reveal the * tyranny it is in essence. There were several sociological aspects of that revolt, which were in contradistinction to Communist theory. First, it was an expression of nationalism — for a Hungary free from Soviet intervention. In Communist theory, the state should disappear; logically, national boundaries should cease to exist, nationalism should cease to exist in a unified Communist community. Two of the major groups, leading and participating in the revolt, were the students and the workers. Hungary had been under Soviet domination for eleven years. The Communists had had eleven years in which to indoctrinate the youth, yet the revolt began with a peaceful student demonstration. The workers, the proletariat which was to be the ruling class in Marxist theory, the inheritors of the state, revolted out of frustration. They fought against the Communists whose promises were unfulfilled;-3 Hungary as a nation. The Hungarian Revolt had great significance for the entire world, not only because it was a tragic contribution to man's historic struggle for independence and freedom, but also because it gave a true picture of Communist oppression. The revolt of the October 7, 1966 Dear Erno: I thank you for your note advising me that the Hungarian Freedom Fighters, in cooperation with other Hungarian organizations, will hold their banquet on the Tenth Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight in 1956 on the twenty-second day of October, 1966, at seven o'clock, at the Mercury Ball Room of the Hilton Hotel in New York. I would love to be with you on this occasion but it is impossible. I have been sick, very sick for over a period of three months. Only recently have 1 been "in circulation", doing at least part-time duty. I would do anything in the world for the cause of Hungary and her loyal sons and daughters but there is no possibility whatsoever of me going to New York for the tenth anniversary of one of the most historic revolutions of all times, even though, judging by material standards, it was not a success1. Its success depended upon the freedom loving nations of the Western World to support it; that we failed to do. I pray God, however, each day that I may live to see Hungary regain her national status and her freedom. Some day that will happen because evil things last for a while and only for a while; eventually justice and liberty and God Almighty prevail. Begging God's choicest blessings upon you all, I am they fought for the very rights which Communist doctrine had assured them, for the benefits which had never materialized. There were representatives from every realm of Hungarian society, joined together in rebellion against Soviet depraditions. How sparse were the roots of communism the Soviets had transplanted in Hungarian soil. Neither the revolt, which was an expression of the will of the people, nor the adverse world reaction, deterred the Soviet Union from its inexcusable course of action. Its horrendous crushing of the revolt was a prime example of man's capacity for inhumanity to man. It was a testament of the despicability to which man can resort. The aftermath of the revolt has meant a further subjugation of the brave Hungarians. Even ten years later the Soviet Union finds it necessary to maintain over 85,000 troops in Hungary in order to ensure Communist domination in Hungary. In February of this year the Communists jailed hundreds of known former participants in the 1956 revolt. This was a preemptive measure against a possible resurgence of rebellion in commemoration of the anniversary of the revolt. The Hungarians have only been granted token liberties by the Communist over the past ten years. In reality, the Hungarians are still being subjected to persecution and enslavement. They are still being denied their basic rights, their national existence, their freedom for which they paid such an exorbitant toll. Today, on the anniversary of their revolt, Americans of all descents identify with the Hungarian people, joining them in prayer .for their eventual liberation. Our hearts ache as we recall the abortive end to which their revolt came. Your identification is Mr. Erno Hoka Secretary General 6629 Broadway, Apt. 7R New York, N.Y. 10071 Your devoted friend, Richard Cardinal Cushing''*— Archbishop of Boston more immediate and infinitely more cognizant of their unbearable fate. For their heritage is yours, their suffering yours, their enslavement yours. There are bonds between you and your native soil and fellow countrymen which will never be severed. Nor would we as Americans want those bonds severed. We are proud that we could offer you safety. The United States came into existence WESTERN UNION TELEGRAM ,-ft ' -TV Slim time shown in ■!.<• Jiic line on Jomciic idcgtiim ii LOCAL TIME .■ poinl of origin. Tiro, of «trip! b LOCAL TIME it pome of dounilioa 3 NF517 (2J)SYE505 CTA624 WD478 WW NFB12Ő GOVT ,NL PD NF WASHINGTN DC 21 3 ERNO HOKA TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION AND FREE00M FIGHT OF 1956 3 1 MERCURY BALLROOM NEW YORK HILTON HOTEL NYK I REGRET THAT MY SCHE0ULE PREVENTS ME FROM BEING WITH U0U THIS 3 EVENING FOR THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION ANO FREEDOM FIGHT OF 1956. THE ACTS OF COURAGE ANO BRAVERY • DISPLAYED AT THAT TIME WILL INDEED BE WRITTEN IN THE RECORD OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES -- AND THOSE WHO SURVIVED— FIGHTING • FOR FREEDOM AND LIBERTY. FOR ALL t€N. WITH KIND" REGAR0S ■ nnoFftT c KXMWfnY Ii ^ tf»*irJATe>P because of men similar to you, men in quest of freedom, liberty, basic rights, and safety from oppression. That you remain here by ._, choice is in itself an endorsement of the American way of life. We Lj are proud that from this base of strength in freedom, you have ! continued in your endeavors to lend support to those Hungarians , still under foreign domination. Today, all Americans wish you j success in your endeavors, lend their support to yours, and hope C j for a hasty liberation of your nation and your brave countrymen _ • who remain Tinder the yoke of communism.
