Kossuth then proceeded to explain, that any moneys contributed by the generosity of the American public would not be employed as a warlike fund, for which it would be utterly insignificant; but solely as a means of enabling the oppressed to concert their measures.  After this he canvassed the three props of Austria, and pointed out the weakness of them all; viz. its loans,—­its army,—­and Russia.  Its loans run fast to a bankruptcy.  Its army is composed of nations which hate it.  Under the Austrian government, the Tyrol perhaps alone has escaped bombardments, scaffolds, and jails filled with patriots.  The armies are raised by forcible conscriptions, and contain some hundred thousand Hungarians who recently fought and conquered Austria, whom Austria now keeps in drill to serve against her when the time comes.  As to the third prop—­Russia,—­possibly for some days yet in the future it may support Austria; but not in a long war:  Austria can never stand in a long war.

I am told (said Kossuth) that some who call themselves “men of peace” cry out for peace at any price.  But is the present condition peace?  Is the scaffold peace?—­that scaffold, on which in Lombardy during the “peaceful” years the blood of 3742 patriots has been shed.  When the prisons of Austria are filled with patriots, is that peace? or is the discontent of all the nations peace?  I do not believe that the Lord created the world for such a kind of peace as that,—­to be a prison,—­to be a volcano, boiling up and ready to break out.  No:  but with justice and liberty there will be contentment, and with contentment, peace—­lasting peace, consistent peace:  while from the tyrants of the world there is oppression, and with oppression the breaking forth of war.....

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XII.—­PUBLIC PIRACY OF RUSSIA

[Reply to the Address of the Bar of New York, Dec. 19th, 1851.]

A reception and a banquet to Kossuth having been prepared by the Bar at Tripler Hall, ex-justice Jones introduced him with a short speech; after which Judge Sandford, in the name of the whole Bar, read an ample address, of which the following is the principal part:—­

Governor Kossuth.—­The Bar of New York, having participated with their fellow-citizens in extending to you that cordial and enthusiastic welcome which greeted your landing upon the shores of America, have solicited the opportunity to express to you, as a member of the legal profession, their respect for your great talents and eminent attainments, and their admiration for the ardour and enthusiasm with which you have devoted all your powers and energies to the sacred cause of the emancipation of your native land.  Wherever freedom has needed an advocate, wherever law has required a supporter, wherever tyranny and oppression have provoked resistance, and men have been found for the occasion, it is the proud honour