Henceforward Kossuth's hopes were limited to pecuniary aid for himself
and his family and friends, and to expressions of sympathy for his
downtrodden country by individuals, by voluntary associations, and by
municipalities. All his speeches after his visit to Washington were
laden with one thought, viz., the duty of all free countries to resist
the spread of absolutism. Pre-eminently this duty was upon America.
"Republican America," said he, "and all-overwhelming Russian
absolutism cannot much longer subsist together on earth. Russia
active,--America passive,--there is an immense danger in the fact; it
is like the avalanche in the Alps, which the noise of a bird's wing
may move and thrust down with irresistible force, growing every moment."
He quoted the declaration which the elder Cato made whenever he spoke,
whether in private or in public: "However, my opinion is that Carthage
must be destroyed." Imitating the language and spirit of Cato, Kossuth
said: "However, the law of nations should be maintained, and
absolutism not permitted to become permanent."
That he exaggerated the scope of what is called the law of nations
there can be no doubt. Beyond a few points, such as the recognized
rule in regard to piracy, the law of nations is very indefinite, and
most certainly it has but little relation, if indeed it can be said
justly to have any relation, to what he called "absolutism.
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