Református ujság - Fraternity-Testvériség, 1940 (18. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1940-02-01 / 2. szám
8 REFORMÁTUS ÚJSÁG COLONEL MICHAEL DE KOVATS By Walter L. Willigan, Ph. D. Professor of American History, St. John’s University, Brooklyn, N. Y. An address delivered at the Colonel Michael de Kovats memorial exercises in the Hungarian Reference Library, New York City. One of the greatest contributions that the United States lias made to world civilization is her virtue of holding on and helping others to hold on to those values in life which make human existence bearable. Tonight we are gathered to pay tribute to one of that great army of patriots who made possible this great American virtue — who made possible these United States, — the only country where the masses of men can still enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Divine Providence Intercedes. In the past history of mankind there have been times when human existence seemed unbearable. Civilization appeared to be on the verge of a complete collapse and men lived more like animals than human beings. The culture and civilization of mankind was saved when God gave Moses the ten commandments — a rule to guide human conduct. This rule was successful for many years in guiding human relationships but once more selfishness and materialism dominated human existence, Christ gave the “Sermon on the Mount” to save humanity again. Pie preached the doctrine of the brotherhood of man as the article of faith to which men must adhere if life would be bearable. For many years this doctrine reformed the minds and actions of men but again society began to crumble due to human weakness. Again Divine Providence provided men with a message that would arouse their faith and courage, appeal to their minds and hearts, and guide their thoughts and actions. This was the Declaration of Independence issued in 1776. The Declaration of Independence. It was in the year 1776 that thirteen small insignificant colonies jointly issued a Declaration of Independence which was destined to rock the entire world to its very foundations. It was these thirteen colonies who declared: “We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal.” Not some men, not a few chosen men but all men are created equal. The Declaration goes on to say “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” My friends, men are endowed by their Creator. Not a dictator, not a government but by God. “That to secure these rights governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” If we live up to the pronouncement of this declaration, we will in respecting the inalienable rights of our fellowman follow the “Sermon on the Mount” and the “Ten Commandments.” This message was heard at the far corners of the earth. It even reached the small villages on the far plains of Hungary — the home of the renowned Hussars, the greatest horseman of all time. Colonel Michael De Kovats. It was in the heart of the Hussar country, in a small village that Michael De Kovats was born on June 12th, 1724. It was in this region that the great cavalrymen of the world were trained. It was here that young Kovats learned to know and appreciate what it means to enjoy life — enjoy liberty and to enjoy the pursuit of happiness. For him it was to ride horses. Strange as it may seem in light of recent events, Prussia during the seven years war was the victim of the aggressions of Austria, Russia, France and Sweden. Prussian liberties were endangered and it was to Prussia that the young Kovats went to join the cavalry of Frederick the Great. However, as the war began to lag and Frederick the Great used his cavalry to collect taxes, to impress men into the army by force and collect hostages, Michael de Kovats revolted. This was a prostitution of a great calling. In 1760 Kovats resigned from the Cavalry of Frederick the Great and returned home. My friends this act alone would place Colonel Kovats above the status of a mere brigand or mercenary. He returned his commission to the Prussians and prepared himself for a more noble cause. Kovats and the American Revolution. It was in 1776 that the immortal words of our Declaration of Independence were heard. It was in 1776 that Michael de Kovats secured permission from Marie Theresa to leave Budapest
