The Eighth Tribe, 1976 (3. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1976-07-01 / 7. szám

Page 4

THE EIGHTH TRIBE

July, 1976

this must be added the five decades of peace and relative economic progress that followed. Moreover, given Hungary’s ethnic composition of that period and the rising nationalism of its minorities, it is rather doubtful that she could have preserved her territorial integrity outside the Dual Monarchy. Thus, if we are to criticize Deák, for what he did or did not do in or after 1867, then it should perhaps be for his lack of full appreciation of the possible consequences of the nationality problem. Had he been able to recognize the enormous significance of this question, he may have pressed for a wider satisfaction of the nationalities’ demands within historic Hungary; and this may, in turn, have averted one of Hungary’s greatest catastrophies: Her partitioning at the Treaty of Trianon in 1920.

Despite his enormous prestige and influence during the 1860's and 1870’s, Deák remained basically a humble and selfless man. His unselfishness is best demonstrated by his actions following the Compromise of 1867. Although he had a blank check from Emperor Francis Joseph, he refused to accept any rewards for his accomplishments. He did not want titles, nor estates, nor any money. In fact, even though he ranked among the poorest of Hungary's politicians, during the last few months of his life, when he was ill and unable to participate in the parliamentary debates, he even refused to accept his salary, which — in his view — he did not earn.

As a result of the popularity of Kossuth and of his views, and because of the resulting controversy between the pro and anti-Compromise factions of Hungarian society, historians have always been divided over the meaning and significance of this greatest of Deák's achievements. But, notwithstanding these arguments, praises and castigations, not one of them has doubted his honesty, integrity, nor the fact that his actions were done for the good of his nation. It is a generally accepted truism that there are several paths to the same goal. The paths of Kossuth, Széchenyi and Deák were also different. Yet, their goal was identical: The well-being of their nation. Only history can tell who was right. Kossuth’s path was undoubtedly the most popular, Széchenyi’s perhaps the most rational in his time, and Deák’s probably the most lasting in terms of the past one hundred years. History, however, may yet prove otherwise. But whatever the ultimate verdict of history about the achievements of these statesmen, Deák will always rank among the greatest statesmen of nineteenth-century Hungary. And I believe that we owe him this statement of recognition on the first centennial of his death.

HUNGARIAN HUSSARS IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY

by Magdalene Havadtoy

There was great excitement in the air on June 30, 1781, as the townspeople of New Stratford, Connecticut, prepared for the coming of Armand de Gontaut, the Duc de Lauzun and his Foreign Legion, a part of the French army under the co mand of the Comte Jean Baptiste de Rochambeau, which had been sent by France to aid the Americans in their fight for independence.

The Duc de Lauzun’s Legion was composed mostly of foreign recruits, among them a large contingent of Hungarian Hussars (huszárs) or light cavalrymen.

The unsuccessful uprising in 1711, led by Prince Francis Rákóczi II, forced many Hussars to flee for their lives and quite a number settled in France. Later, these exiled immigrants organized Hungarian Hussar regiments for service in the French army. One of Rakoczi’s lieutenants, Bercsényi, became Commander of the Guard of Louis XIV. Bercsényi organized Louis XIV’s famous Hungarian Hussars and was given the highest military honor — that of Maréchal de France.

In the eighteenth century, Hungarian Hussar regiments, serving in the French armed forces, were the Baron Ratzky (Rátkay) Regiment, the remainders of which were merged with the Bercheny (Count Bercsényi) Regiment organized in 1720, the Count Ladislaus Esterházy Regiment organized in 1735, the name of which was later changed to “Chamborant,” the Andrew Polereczky Regiment organized in 1743, and the Count Valentine Esterházy Regiment organized in 1764. The commands of these regiments were eventually given to native Frenchmen, but the men of the regiments were exclusively of Hungarian background.

In addition many Hussars joined the French army because of ill-treatment at home by the Imperial army under the command of the Hapsburg king. They were poorly paid, if at all, with little or no chance for advancement. Therefore, they deserted in great numbers and offered their services to foreign legions such as Bavaria, Prussia and France, making the name of the Hussars known all over Europe. Later, they appeared on the American Revolutionary scene in the Duc de Lauzun’s Foreign Legion, a part of the French army commanded by the Comte de Rochambeau.