William Penn Life, 2003 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2003-02-01 / 2. szám
Continued from Page 13 professor, so his physical talents were matched by his mental skills and by his character as a man and ardent patriot. Even Széchényi, known as a proud if not haughty aristocrat, fell under the spell of Miklós' charisma. He had met a man who, at age 23, represented the finest qualities of the Magyar. The two men became friends. They complemented each other. Wesselényi had a profound knowledge of the condition and problems of Hungary. His daring soul, unafraid to fight, lifted the spirit of Széchényi, who was crowned by pessimism and selftorment. Meanwhile, Széchényi introduced Miklós to the world outside of Hungary. Together, these two aristocrats undertook an unusual journey across Europe on foot that lasted for one year. At the age of 35, Miklós continued Branch News Continued from page 19 makes a difference in your life. Clarion members with birthdays in February include: Ron Magness, Aldo Scalise, James Snyder, James Zacheri, Shawna Huefner, Charles Ruslavage, Kevin Slike, Vicki Loll, Joseph Hargenrader, Valerie Beichner, Terry McDevitt, Anthony Cherico Jr., Mary Cummins, Katherine Delaney, Joan Donahue, Eric Bauer, William Cotherman, Richard Hurst, Jacob Rice, Lawrence Gatesman Jr., Tannya Best and Barbara Niederriter. Best wishes for a happy birthday with cherished memories. Regular branch meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Main Street, Clarion. We welcome all members to attend. For any questions or service on your life insurance or annuity certificates, you may call me anytime at 412-821-1837. Magyar Nyelv_ his ascent into public life. He was leading the fight for freedom of speech and freedom of the press, the lack of which prevented the public from learning about the Diet's debates of Pozsony. Challenging the government, he purchased a printing press and began publishing records of the Diet's proceedings because, as he said, "the deed marks the man; action is the duty of the patriot." He began to grow apart from the more cautious Széchényi politically and drew closer to Lajos Kossuth, who wrote of Miklós in glowing terms. "I always counted Wesselényi among the great sons of our country," Kossuth once wrote. "But I have to admit that the precision of his judgment, his ability to perceive the most complicated problems with lightning speed and point to the right course to follow, surprised me to the point of astonishment." Wesselenyi's courageous actions created a sensation. The youth of the country began to lionize him, feting him with torchlight parades in Pozsony and in Buda-Pest. The Viennese government, however, was not impressed with Wesselenyi's valor, and he was indicted twice on charges of disloyalty to the Crown. He was scheduled to stand trial first in Transylvania (Erdély) and then in Hungary. To avoid arrest, Wesselényi fled from Zsibo to Hungary, where the final government crackdown was delayed for political reasons. This delay gave Wesselényi a last opportunity to shine in the service of the nation. In mid-March 1838, the Danube swelled to floodstage and its waters broke through the embankments of Buda-Pest. Wesselényi happened to be in the city when the flood waters rushed in and, luckily for many of the flood victims, he had a boat. During three days of uninterrupted rescue work, Wesselényi saved hundreds of the weakest: women, children and elderly. The greatest Hungarian poet of the time, Mihály Vörösmarty, gave his deeds lasting fame in a poem entitled “Az annzi hajós" ("The boatman of the flood"). Wesselényi may have saved hundreds from the flood, but he could not save himself from prosecution by the Austrian government. He was sentenced to three years in prison. But, he never served his term, because during his detention he lost his sight in one eye and was released for treatment at Graefenberg, where he became totally blind. He may have lost his eyesight, but not his clarity of mind. During his self-imposed exile, he wrote a book entitled "Summons on Magyar and Slavic Affairs," devoted to problems of national identity. Then he decided to return to Zsibo. His castle became a place of pilgrimage for the greatest men of contemporary Hungary. Kossuth expressed his admiration for Wesselényi, saying: "You may be blind but you are still the greatest champion of the country." In spite of these words, Wesselényi felt his time had past. However, when he visited Pest, a throng of 30,000 inundated the streets—the streets from which he saved hundreds of lives—to pay him homage. He delivered his last speech on April 30,1848, in Pest at the outset of the War of Independence. "It is God who will decide whether our nation shall live or perish; but it is we who hold in our hands the honor of Hungary," he said. "Let us live for it, or die for it, but we must remain Hungarians and a free nation up to our last breath." The Blind Giant was struck down by a lengthy illness in April 1850. A granite statue of Wesselényi protectively embracing an old serf stands in Kossuth Square in Zilah, a town in Transylvania. The memory of Wesselenyi's deeds and character represents a spiritual monument more lasting than any statue could be. As one of his biographers stated: "He possessed all the traits of true greatness, in body and soul....He was never afraid to love his country and act for his people. He was a hero of heroes whose heart knew no fear. He was a warm heart, ever so compassionate toward suffering and misery. His hands, which would bend iron, were softer than velvet when it came to wiping aways tears." |m>| | 20 llilliani Penn Lift, February 2003
