Fraternity-Testvériség, 1956 (34. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1956-11-01 / 11. szám
6 FRATERNITY these have been ripped to shreds by the Russian tanks and bullets. Every nation has its tradition of struggle for freedom, and every free nation must be made to understand that the crimes against Hungarian patriots are crimes which the Russians would not commit against other free peoples if they had the chance. The heroes of Budapest fight not only for their freedom but for the freedom of New York and Paris, of Delhi and Rio de Janeiro, of Bandung and of Tokyo. The moral force of our outrage and horror must be thrown into the battle along with the fists and guns of Hungary’s brave fighters. There is no time to lose. Dorothy Thompson NO EPITAPH FOR HUNGARY, YET* SOS CALLS STIR SORROW, BUT ALSO BELIEF THAT THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY IS NOT CRUSHED . . that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this Nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth.” The words of Lincoln’s immortal Gettysburg address sounded in our ears as we read with blurred eyes the last SOS calls from Hungary. And other words, too, leaped to mind, words that in dark moments we have often repeated to ourselves with never-failing elation. They are by the poet Walt Whitman, from the introduction to the 1855 edition of “Leaves of Grass”: “Come nigh . . . awhile and . . . you shall learn the faithful American lesson. Liberty is poorly served by men whose good intent is quelled from one failure or two failures or any number of failures, or from the casual indifference or ingratitude of the people, or from the sharp show of the tushes of power, or the bringing to bear soldiers and cannon or any penal statutes. Liberty relies upon itself, invites no one, promises nothing, sits in calmness and light, is positive and composed, and knows no discouragement. The battle rages with many a loud alarm and frequent advance and retreat . . . the enemy triumphs . . . the prison, the handcuffs, the iron necklace and anklet, the scaffold, garrote and lead- balls do their works . . . the cause is asleep . . . the strong throats are choked with their own blood . . . the young men drop their eyelashes toward the ground when they pass each other . . . and is libery gone out * Reprinted from the Washington Evening Star, daily — Nov. 3, 1956.
