Verhovayak Lapja, 1940. január-június (23. évfolyam, 1-26. szám)
1940-02-15 / 7. szám
February is, 1940,___________________Verhov ay ak Lapja Colonel Michael De Kovats By Walter L. Willigan, Ph. D. Professor of American History, St. John's University, Brooklyn January 2í, 19)0 An address delivered at the Colonel Michael de Kovats memorial exercises in the Hungarian Reference Library, 19 West 44th St., New York City. One of the greatest contributions that the United States has 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 ice are gathered to pay tribute to one of that great army of patriots icho 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. He 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 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 fellowinan follow the "Sermon on the Mount” and the "Ten Commandments.” This message ivas 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 horsemen of all time. COLONEL MICHAEL DE KOVATS It was in the heart of the Hussar country, in a small village that Michael De Kovats ivas born on June 12th, 172). It was in this region that the great cavalrymen of the world were trained. It was here that young Kovats learned to knoio and appreciate what it means to enjoy life— enjoy liberty and to enjoy the pursuit of happiness, t 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 to 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 ivas 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 and come to America. He immediately left for France via Italy and met Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane in Paris. To these gentlemen he offered his services to fight for the American cause. In Paris at this time several divisions of cavalry troops were being organized. Kovats rendered great service in organizing his former comrads in arms to join the American revolution. On January 9, 1778, Kovats’ old friend Count Casimir Pulaski recommended that the well-known cavalry officer receive a commission to train the American cavalry in the Pulaski regiment. We read in a letter which Kovats icrote to George Washington that “If Congress will honor me with the regulation of it (the cavalry) 1 shall faithfully execute and glory in the honour of such a command which will also give me an opportunity to show my attachment and fidelity for this country's cause.” His commission ivas ratified in April 1778 and Kovats immediately appealed in the Maryland Journal and Baltimore Advertiser for recruits. KOVATS AND THE AMERICAN CAVALRY. The methods of fighting in America were different than those used in Europe. George Washington never engaged the British Army in a battle according to European standards of fighting. The American strategy was to brush the British flank here and there, ambush, and execute ■ surprise attack. It teas the cavalry which was used through 1778 and 1779 to protect the American infantry as it retreated from one position to another. In July 1778 the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania sent Colonel Kovats and Colonel Hartley against the Indians. In the middle of August Kovats teas sent back to join Pulaski. In September 1778 Washington ordered Kovats to Princetown, New Jersey to protect the American Army against the Indians and the loyalists. In October the British carried a devastating raid against the Pulaski regiment, inflicting severe losses on the infantry. It was Kovats’ cavalry which amid the cheers of his men successfully repelled the English and extracted the infantry from its untenable position. All during this campaign Kovats never forgot his religious duties. Early in 1778 a Minister of the Protestant Church in Bethlehem, Penna, noted that the wellknown commander of the Hussars attended services. Again it was noted that on April 16, 1779 Count Pulaski and Colonel Kovats attended Easter services. KOVATS AT CHARLESTOWN. The British failing to cut the American colonies in two in England, attempted to sever the south from the rest of the colonies. On February 9th 1779, Colonel Kovats was ordered to South Carolina to relieve the pressure of the English troops on Charlestown. His legion arrived on May 17 1779 and bolstered the garrison of the city. It was here that Colonel Kovats received the highest praise from Brig. General Skelly of His Majesty’s army for leading the best cavalry that the rebels ever had. It was in this battle that Kovats’ cavalry under the command of their intrepid leader, lifted the siege of Charlestown and ultimately saved the south for the American cause. It was here that Kovats received a mortal wound and gave up his life for the cause of American liberty. CONCLUSION. We are the living benefactors of Kovats’ spirit. We are his spiritual successors. He died for the American Declaration of Independence. He died for a noble cause. He died that the principle of human dignity might live. He died that America might for all time hold onto and help others to hold onto those values ivhich make human existence worth while. He is one of Hungary’s contributions to the establishment of American Democracy.-------------O------------The perforated cover of a new saucepan can be locked in place to serve as a strainer. Page 9 FIRST SPRING CLOTHES For Your Young Daughter Style No. 3306 Is designed for sizes 2, 4, 6 and 8. Style No. 3342 is designed for sizes 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14. Send FIFTEEN CENTS (15c), for EACH PATTERN SPRING FASHION MAGAZINE 10 cents extra. Address Fashion Bureau Verhovayak Lapja 121 West 19th Street, New York, N. Y. BRANCH 157 ELECTIONS Verhovay Women’s Club, Branch 157, of Waukegan, Illinois held elections of officers on January 4th. The officers chosen were: President, Mrs. John Kondrath, who was reelected; Vice-President, Mrs. Minnie Colby; Secretary, Mrs. Ray Hanson; Treasurer, Mrs. Louis Lohfink; Auditors, Mrs. Joseph Bauer and Mrs. August Baumgart. The officers began their functions on January 12th. The dance held by Branch 157 on January 27th was well attended and was successful. There was a meeting on February 14th and a Valentine party was held afterwards by Mrs. Louis Lohfink, Treasurer, who was the hostess.--------------O-------------A new reel for anglers flashes an electric light when a fish is hooked. V 1 W I m i CRANKY “EVERY 9 MONTH” Then Read WHY Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound is Real “Woman's Friend”! 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