Secret Circular by Kossuth. Consequent Sudden Departure of the Latter

The People's Paper. Nr. 14, 7. August 1852

Secret Circular by Kossuth. Consequent Sudden Departure of the Latter.

(Communicated specially to the "People's Paper," and not yet known to the English Press.)

(The "Times" has stated that the cause of Kossuth's sudden departure from America was, that, expecting more money than he received, he had given large orders for muskets, for which he was unable to pay. This is incorrect; for he had obtained money enough to liquidate all his liabilities, through M. Hajnik, as he has notified in American papers; but the following letter from our Special Correspondent at New York illusträtes the real cause of his departure.—Ed. "People's Paper.")

(To the Editor of the "People's Paper. ")

Sir—tThe direct departure of Kossuth from this side of the Atlantic will, doubtlessly, surprise you in the Old World, and as, doubtlessly, many incorrect rumours will soon be afloat, it may be advisable to give your readers an authentic version of the transaction.

Kossuth always boasted of his non-intervention in the internal affairs of those countries whose guest he was, and we noticed well the strange use he made of that policy while in your country. He faithfully promised to adhere to the same on his arrival in the United States, and deprecated all idea of interfering in the Presidential election. He has now broken that pledge, and secretly plotted in the governmental affairs of a country of which he was the guest, and the confidence of whose Government he enjoyed.

On the 28th of June he issued the following secret circular to the Germans resident in the States:—

"New York, June 28, 1852.

Honoured Sir—I hope you have, ere this, read my German farewell address in the ‘York Tabernacle,' of the 23d instant, as also the resolutions of the meeting consequent thereon. I further hope that the impression thereby made on both the great political parties has not escaped your attention.

Indeed, it cannot be denied that the Germans resident in the States, and possessed

of the franchise, if following the advice given in my address, and all united in that policy, hold the balance of power in their hands in a Presidential election.

They can decide the foreign policy of the future Government of the States, and thereby determine the triumph or fall of European liberty.

How will the German citizens of America act possessed of this decisive power?

The leaders of all the parties have become aware of your strength, and are all alarmed. They know that, at any rate, the Germans can disarrange their most skilful combination.

Will the German citizens act up to the importance of their position, which may not recur in a century?

I hope they will. May God, the Almighty Guardian of Liberty, forbid that you should neglect the opportunity. Will you not respect principles more than party names? I hope you will. The attitude to be taken by America, the freedom of Europe, Germany, Hungary, and Italy is in your hands.

For God's sake take steps that all your German fellow-citizens act according to my advice in the speech alluded to; hold meetings, and pass resolutions founded on that advice.

Be quick! Keep the balance of power in your own hands, till one or other of the two parties has given a positive guarantee that they will adopt the policy proposed.

Should I be fortunate enough to get all German electors in the Union to proclaim my policy as their own, and act up to it, 7 should be in a position personally to negotiate with the several parties, and to dictate terms to them.

God sees my inmost thoughts, and knows that vain self-importance does not actuate my heart. No! It is the conviction that the liberty of Europe depends on the unanimous assistance of the German citizens of America.

My requests of you are, therefore, as follows:—

1. Call a meeting of Germans at once, to decide how the Germans will act relative to the Presidential election.

2. Form a committee of influential men, and let them draw up resolutions to the following effect:—

(a.) The German electors of—approve of the principles enunciated by Kossuth in his speech of June 23, adopt the plan of action therein contained, and believe that plan the only one adequate to the liberties of Europe and America.

(b.) That we publicly invite Kossuth not to quit America before informing the German electors of—which of the two parties contesting the Presidency has given him the best guarantee to make the policy of L. Kossuth the basis of the Presidential election.

(c.) That we especially demand the repeal or new interpretation of the non-intervention law of 1818.

(d.) That we summon our fellow-citizens of other races to join us in the above policy.

The Germans are a power in the States. The more it is shown that you support me, the more I can do for our common cause.

Let me soon hear of your activity in this matter.

(Signed) Louis Kossuth.

Secret Circular by Kossuth - Consequent Sudden Departure of the Latter

N.B.—This letter is confidential. You must not give it publicity, but may, in confidence, impart it to your friends."

Such is the Secret Circular. It has now been divulged, and the result has been the precipitate flight of Kossuth from the public indignation. The policy recommended in the speech alluded to was direct intervention of American arms in the affairs of Europe.

But the evil has been greater than American anger against Kossuth. A party has been aroused that had begun to die out—that of the "National American party," or "Natives," at Philadelphia, who would withdraw the franchise from all but born Americans. This Circular of Kossuth has raised this dormant, selfish, and detestable party into renewed importance. They have at once started Webster as the "independent American candidate" for the Presidency, and a Convention is to meet in August, in Philadelphia, to ratify the nomination.

The Union Whigs of Georgia, the representatives of the "Southern Union Whigs,"

have already given in their support to Webster.

Kossuth became alarmed, and though he invited the Germans to ask him to remain, in his Circular of June 28, before he could get answers from the States of the Union

he hurries from the country on the 14th of July. xX Gk Gk