As to the praises which you were so kind as to bestow upon me, it is no affectation in me when I declare that I am not conscious of having any other merit than that of being a plain, straightforward man, a faithful friend of freedom, a good patriot.  And these qualities, gentlemen, are so natural to every honest man, that it is scarcely worth while to speak of them; for I cannot conceive how a man with understanding and with a sound heart, can be anything else than a good patriot and a lover of freedom.

Yet my humble capacity has not preserved me from calumnies.  Scarcely had I arrived here, when I learned that I had been charged in the United States with being an irreligious man.  So long as despots exist, and have the means to pay, they will find men to calumniate those who are opposed to tyranny.  But, suppose I were the most dishonest creature in the world; in the name of all that is sacred, what would that matter in respect to the cause of Hungary? Would that cause become less just, less righteous, less worthy of your sympathy, because I, for instance, am a bad man?  No!  I believe you.  It is not a question in regard to any individual here.  It is a question with regard to a just cause, the cause of a country worthy to take its place in the great family of the free nations of the world.  Until I learn that you refuse to recognize nations, whenever their governors fall short of religious perfection, I need not care much about attacks on my mere personality.  But one thing I can scarcely comprehend,—­that the PRESS—­that mighty vehicle of justice and champion of human rights—­could have found an organ, and that, in the United States, which (to say nothing of personal calumnies) should degrade itself to assert that it was not the people of Hungary, it was not myself and my coadjutors, that contended for liberty; but it was the Emperor of Austria who was the champion of liberty.  Do not give it groans, gentlemen, but rather thank it; for there can be no better service to any cause, than for its opponents to manifest that they have nothing to say but what is ridiculous.  That must have been a sacred and just cause, whose detractors need to assert that the Emperor of Austria is the champion of freedom throughout his own dominions and throughout the European continent.

I thank you that you have given me full proof that all these calumnies have affected neither your judgment nor your heart.  As this will be the place whence I shall start back for Europe, I shall once more have the happiness of addressing you publicly and bidding you an affectionate adieu:—­hoping then to be able to thank you for acts, as I now thank you for sentiments.

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DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE BY THE HUNGARIAN NATION.