I can state it, as known to me, with the certainty of matter of fact, that Hungary will never accept the Hapsburgs as legitimate sovereigns in the future, nor ever enter into any new moral relations with that perjurious family.  Nor only so; but their perjury has so entirely plucked out of my nation’s heart all faith in monarchy and all attachment to it, that there is no power on earth to knit the broken tie again:  and therefore Hungary wishes and wills to be a free and independent republic,—­a republic founded on the rule of law, securing social order, guaranteeing person, property, the moral development as well as material welfare of the people,—­in a word, a republic like that of the United States, founded on institutions inherited from England itself.  This is the conviction of my people, which I share in the very heart of my heart.

* * * * *

III.—­COMMUNISM AND THE SIBYLLINE BOOKS.

[From Kossuth’s Second Speech at Manchester, Nov. 12th, 1851.]

I can understand Communism, but not Socialism.  I have read many books on the subject, I have consulted many doctors; but they differ so much that I never could understand what they really mean.  However, the only sense which I can see in socialism, is inconsistent with social order and the security of property.

Now since France has three times in sixty years failed to obtain practical results from Political revolutions, all Europe is apt to press forward into new Social doctrine to regulate the future.  Believing then, that,—­not from my merit, but from the state of my country,—­I may be able somewhat to influence the course of the next European revolution, I think it right plainly to declare beforehand my allegiance to the great principle of security for personal property.  Nevertheless, to give success to my endeavours in this direction, the rational expectations of the nations of Europe must speedily be fulfilled; else neither I, nor more important men, can avail to stay revolutionary movement.  The danger of the case may be illustrated by the ancient story of the Sibylline books.

Take Hungary as an instance.  Three years ago we should have been extremely well contented with the laws as made by our parliament in 1848, which laws did not break the tie between us and the house of Hapsburg.  But then Austria assailed us with arms, and it became impossible for us to go on with that constitution; indeed she herself proclaimed it to be dissolved.  We defeated her, and next she called in the Russian armies.  Hungary was then under the necessity of casting off the Hapsburg monarchy; and only the third Sibylline book remained.  Yet Hungary did not even then renounce monarchy, but gave instructions to her representative in England to say to the Government of this country, that if they wished to see monarchy established in Hungary, we would accept any dynasty they proposed:  but it was not-listened to.  Then came the horrors of Arad,[*] and destroyed all our faith in monarchy.  So the last of the three books was burned.