The Eighth Tribe, 1978 (5. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1978-04-01 / 4. szám

April, 1978

THE EIGHTH TRIBE

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St. Stephen. Moreover, he was also determined to consolidate the new social order based on the sanctity of private property — a phenomenon that had not been part of traditional Hungarian culture. This was precisely the reason why his law codes were so severe regarding crimes against private property, and why thiefs were more severely punished than murderers. (Lederer: Szöveggyűjtemény, 27-45.)

New Society Based on Private Property

The severity of these laws that prescribed hanging, mutilation, slavery and other similar measures for petty thefts must, therefore, be judged in light of the needs of contemporary society, and in view of King Ladislas’s fear that without such Draconian measures the new social order would never take roots. As has been shown earlier, after long traditions of communal ownership of all non-personal goods (e.g. slaves, horses, oxen, sheep, poultry, fruits, grain, etc.), St. Stephen began to introduce the concept of private ownership. Although disliked by most Magyars, King Stephen managed to spread this idea far and wide. During the turbulent period following his death, however, much of the newly created respect for private ownership had disappeared. Many of those Magyars who disliked the new social order took pleasure in trampling upon its rules and began to appropriate such private "goods” th§t used to he commonly owned by the clans. By the time of Ladislas's accession to the throne, this problem had reached crisis proportions. Thus, in order to save the achievements of the past, and to resume progress toward a society based on the West European model, crime against property had to be severely punished. This was all the more essential, as royal power in Hungary also depended mostly on the income from the king's private I patrimonial) estates.

Some historians claim that King Ladislas's initial measures against theft were sufficiently successful that later he could even relax the severity of his laws. This view, however, is doubted by Győrffy, who, in his recent work on Ladislas, claims that his laws on crime against property became progressively more severe. In Győrffy’s view, this growing severity of St. Ladislas’s laws stemmed partially from the lack of sufficient success in combating theft, and partially from the asylum that thiefs could always find in religious institutions and sanctuaries. (Győrffy: László király, 14.) As a matter of fact, the Church was generally ready to grant asylum. This was done partially to save the culprit, and partially to increase thereby the ranks of the working class in the service of the Church.

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tone (from New York) brilliantly presented together with accompanist Dr. Záhonyi far too few Hungarian songs to an appreciative audience —- the selections including ‘"Egy rózsaszál” (“One Stemmed Rose”) and “Sárbogárd,” (“Mud Bug”). The vocalist’s vibrant timbre seemed to engulf and embrace the listeners so as to evoke resounding encore recalls.

Reverend Julian Füzér, Pastor

of St. Ladislaus Church, New Brunswick, spoke in brief recapitulation about the past few months’ happenings and activities regarding the Hungarian crown’s return from the United States. He stated that "a new meaning seems to have been given” to Hungarians, Hungarian Americans, American Hungarians and their concerns. The intent of the “emigrées, when leaving their country, was to take back

something to the folks at home.” Though there have been unusual turns in events, “those at home still must not be forgotten.” He remarked that “new friends for Hungarians were acquired because of the recent actions surrounding the crown” and that “many people (previously unknown to him) have commented to him about noticing that Hungarian-Americans in many parts of this nation banded together in their efforts regarding the crown’s return. At one time, second and third generation Hungarian Americans didn’t acknowledge readily their background, nor speak the language, hut now they seem not to be “ashamed” of their ethnic heritage and roots. Reverend Füzér also reiterated that “there is still hope and that we want hands of friendship — that of true friends, with genuine fellowship.” He emphasized “continuing work with youths toward their worthwhile education,” and reminded all “to form new as well as closer bonds by helping each other and not separating. Thus, the Hungarian nation and its history still will continue to go on.”

Further entertainment continued with soprano Ilona Yuhász (of New York) lyrically presenting Hungarian songs (to piano accompaniment by Dr. Záhonyi, resident of Colonia, N. J.)

Apropos to the occasion, the finale of the afternoon’s program comprised selections by the Kossuth Chorus (newly-formed just within the past month) together with violinists as accompanists and their Director, István Kovács, at the piano. All told, their performance was a remarkable contribution of extraordinary achievement in so short a time and worthy of laudable merit — there was no doubt either from the audience’s reaction in applause at the end!

As one turned to leave, the motto on the auditorium’s far wall was outstanding with its large letters that caught the eye as well as thought:

“Ép testben, ép lélek — Sound body, sound mind” and one couldn’t help but think that, in its entirety, there was felt to he a satisfying sense of coordinate completeness from the phy»-