Gentlemen, it is remarkable that, on the western coasts of Europe, political light exists.  There is a sun in the political firmament, and that sun sheds his light on those who are able to enjoy it.  But in eastern Europe, generally speaking, and on the confines between eastern Europe and Asia, there is no political sun in the heavens.  It is all an arctic zone of political life.  The luminary, that enlightens the world in general, seldom rises there above the horizon.  The light which they possess is at best crepuscular, a kind of twilight, and they are under the necessity of groping about to catch, as they may, any stray gleams of the light of day.  Gentlemen, the country of which your guest to-night is a native is a remarkable exception.  She has shown through her whole history, for many hundreds of years, an attachment to the principles of civil liberty, and of law and order, and obedience to the constitution which the will of the great majority have established.  That is the fact; and it ought to be known wherever the question of the practicability of Hungarian liberty and independence are discussed.  It ought to be known that Hungary stands out from it above her neighbours in all that respects free institutions, constitutional government, and a hereditary love of liberty.

Gentlemen, my sentiments in regard to this effort made by Hungary are here sufficiently well expressed.  In a memorial addressed to Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerston, said to have been written by Lord Fitzwilliam, and signed by him and several other Peers and members of Parliament, the following language is used, the object of the memorial being to ask the mediation of England in favour of Hungary.

“While so many of the nations of Europe have engaged in revolutionary movements, and have embarked in schemes of doubtful policy and still more doubtful success, it is gratifying to the undersigned to be able to assure your lordships that the Hungarians demand nothing but the recognition of ancient rights and the stability and integrity of their ancient constitution.  To your lordships it cannot be unknown that that constitution bears a striking family-resemblance to that of our own country.”

Gentlemen, I have said that a National Government, where there is a distinct nationality, is essential to human happiness.  I have said that in my opinion, Hungary is thus capable of human happiness.  I have said that she possesses that distinct nationality, that power of population, and that of wealth, which entitles her to have a Government of her own; and I have now to add what I am sure will not sound well upon the Upper Danube; and that is, that, in my humble judgment, the imposition of a foreign yoke upon a people capable of self-government, while it oppresses and depresses that people, adds nothing to the strength of those who impose that yoke.  In my opinion, Austria would be a better and a stronger Government to-morrow if she confined the limits of her power