and under it have adopted a system of laws which we are bound to execute and obey.  The stability and efficiency of our own government are dependent upon the intelligence, virtue, and moderation of our people.  It has been justly remarked by one of our most distinguished jurists, that “in a republic, every citizen is himself in some measure entrusted with the public safety, and acts an important part for its weal or woe.”  Trained as we have been in these principles of self-government, appreciating all the blessings which a bounteous Creator has so profusely showered upon us, and desirous to see the principles of civil and religious liberty extended to other nations, we rejoice at every uprising of their oppressed people; we sympathize with their struggles, and within the limits of our public laws and public policy, we aid them in their efforts.  If through weakness or treachery they fail, we grieve at their misfortunes.  In you, sir, we behold a personification of that great principle which forms the corner stone of our own revered Constitution—­the right of self-government.  Darkened as has been the horizon of suffering Hungary, in you, sir, still burns that living fire of freedom, which we trust will yet light up her firmament, and shed its lustrous flame over her wasted lands.  “The unnamed demi-gods” whose blood has moistened her battle-fields, the martyrs whose lives have been freely offered up on the scaffold and beneath the axe, the living exiles now scattered through distant lands, have not suffered, are not suffering in vain.  Governments were created for the benefit of the many, and not of the few.  A day, an hour of retribution will yet come; the Almighty promise will not be forgotten—­“Vengeance is mine—­I will repay it, saith the Lord.”

Kossuth thereupon replied:—­

Gentlemen,—­Highly as I value the opportunity to meet the gentlemen of the Bar, I should have felt very much embarrassed to have to answer the address of that corporation before such a numerous and distinguished assembly, had not you, sir, relieved my well-founded anxiety by justly anticipating and appreciating my difficulties.  Let me hope, that herein you were the interpreter of this distinguished assembly’s indulgence.

Gentlemen of the Bar, you have the noble task to be the first interpreters of the law; to make it subservient to justice; to maintain its eternal principles against encroachment; and to restore those principles to life, whenever they become obliterated by misunderstanding or by violence.  My opinion is, that Law must keep pace in its development with institutions and intelligence, and until these are perfect, law is and must be with them in continual progress.  Justice is immortal, eternal, and immutable, like God himself; and the development of law is only then a progress, when it is directed towards those principles which, like Him, are eternal; and whenever prejudice or error succeeds in establishing in customary law any doctrine contrary to eternal