Fraternity-Testvériség, 1994 (72. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1994-01-01 / 1. szám
FRATERNITY Page 4 to the level of equal partnership (albeit in the name only) within the “Austro-Hungarian Monarchy”, or, by an other name, “Dual-Monarchy”. In the United States, Kossuth was honored and overwhelmingly received, popularly recognizing him as “Governor President of Hungary”, wherever he was invited. According to historians, he was given the opportunity to express himself on more than three hundred occasions, in classical English, to a spellbound audience: on the freedom and independence of his native Hungary, the democracy which he envisioned for his country, and the democracy which he witnessed here in America. Not only did he reach the hearts and minds of the average American people but also that of statesmen and historians who perpetuated the concepts of Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln. One of his most ardent admirers and supporters was the Secretary of State, Daniel Webster, who enthusiastically took up the cause of “the American model at the Lower Danube”, meaning an independent, democratic Hungary. We, American Hungarians, cherish the memory of this visit. The leadership of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America always felt obligated to cultivate the Kossuth tradition. The “Vasváry Archives”, now in Szeged, Hungary, originated with our Federation. The Reverend Ödön (Edmund) Vasváry, an officer at our Home Office in Washington, D.C. between 1935-56, was given permission by the Federation to pursue his research studies on Kossuth’s travels in America. He also did research work on other historical topics related to AmeriThe spirit of our age is Democracy. All for the people and all by the people. Nothing about the people without the people. That is Democracy, and that is the ruling tendency of the spirit of our age. can Hungarians, mainly on the hundreds of former Hungarian officers in Kossuth’s army in 1848/49, who, when the time came, entered the Union Army and became “Lincoln’s Hungarian Heroes”. The Federation also gave ample support to a new generation of Hungarian writers, scholars, and artists who came to the United States as refugees from Soviet-dominated Hungary. Particularly reassuring was the fruitful cooperation with the editors and writers of the journal Új Magyar Út - New Hungarian Way who demonstrated true adherence to Kossuth’s democratic principles and ideals. The Federation thus contributed to the studies on Kossuth which are gaining more and more relevance in our days. This growing interest on the part of Hungarian scholars will hopefully correct the interpretations that were falsified during the 40 years of Communist rule in Hungary. The Kossuth Memorial Year will serve as inspiration not only to those living in Hungary but also to us in America. To show our commitment to the ideals of Kossuth, a resolution was passed by the 1992 Convention of our organization that the 100th Anniversary Year of the death of Kossuth in 1994 be declared a Kossuth Commemorative Year. Therefore, in my capacity as President of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, I declare that this year be a Kossuth Anniversary Year, and I call upon our churches and societies to constitute together a large Kossuth Centennial Committee, which would involve the commemorative events in all parts of the country. We, American Hungarians, share with our brothers and sisters in Hungary the conviction that great opportunities lie ahead for our much-suffered nation, and that the key of democracy, so long yearned for, can be re-discovered in the teachings of Kossuth. Kossuth raised money for the Hungarian Fund by selling American Bonds in several denominations. He signed each one. Kossuth’s definition of democracy, given in an address to the Ohio legislature in Columbus, February 17, 1852. George Dózsa, President
