[Footnote *:  In Arad the Hungarian Generals, who surrendered by Goergy’s persuasion, were hanged or shot; and simultaneously Bathyanyi, who had been arrested when he came as an ambassador of peace, was judged anew and murdered by a second court-martial.]

And so, wherever men’s reasonable expectations are not fulfilled, it cannot be known where their fluctuations will end.  Every man who is anxious for the preservation of person and property should help the world in obtaining rational freedom:  if it be not obtained, mankind will search after other forms of action, totally subversive of all existing social order; and where the excitement will subside, I do not know.  Men like me, who merely wish to establish political freedom, will in such circumstances lose all their influence, and others will get influence who may become dangerous to all established interests whatsoever.

* * * * *

IV.—­LEGITIMACY OF HUNGARIAN INDEPENDENCE.

[When Kossuth had landed at Staten Island, thus for the first time setting his foot on American soil, he was met by a deputation, which made an address to him.  He replied as follows (Dec. 5th, 1851)]:—­

Ladies and gentlemen:  The twelve hours that I have had the happiness to stand on your shores, give me augury that, during my stay in the United States, I shall have a pleasant duty to perform, in answering the generous spirit of your people.  I hope, however, that you will consider that I am in the first moments of a hard task,—­to address your intelligent people in a tongue foreign to me.  You will not expect from me an elaborate speech, but will be contented with a few warmly-felt words.  Citizens, accept my fervent thanks for your generous welcome, and my blessing upon your sanction of my hopes.  You have most truly stated what they are, when you announce the destiny of your glorious country, and tell me that from it the spirit of liberty will go forth and achieve the freedom of the world.

Yes, citizens, these are the hopes which have induced me, in a most eventful period, to cross the Atlantic.  I confidently hope, that as you have anticipated my wishes by the expression of your generous sentiments, so you will agree with me, that the spirit of liberty has to go forth, not only spiritually, but materially, from your glorious country.  That spirit is a power for deeds, but is yet no deed in itself.  Despotism and oppression never yet were beaten except by heroic resistance.  That is a sad necessity,—­but it is a necessity nevertheless.  I have so learned it out of the great book of history.  I hope the people of the United States will remember, that in the hour of their nation’s struggle, it received from Europe more than kind wishes.  It received material aid from others in times past, and it will, doubtless, now impart its mighty agency to achieve the liberty of other lands.