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Lincoln and the American Dream, 1832-1852 "PRINCIPLES HELD DEAR" Resolutions Supporting Hungarian Freedom, Springfield, Illinois [JANUARY 9, 18 5 2 ] These resolutions were inspired by Hungarian freedom fighter Lajos Kossuth 's visit to America. They were adopted by a Springfield meeting that Lincoln addressed. They not only endorsed Kossuth's efforts but also expressed sympathy with the fights for freedom in Germany, France, and Ireland. The Springfielders met a few weeks later to adopt a new resolution inviting Kossuth to their city, but there is no record that he everpaid such a visit. 49 Whereas, in the opinion of this meeting, the arrival of Kossuth in our country, in connection with the recent events in Hungary, and with the appeal he is now making in behalf of his country, presents an occasion upon which we, the American people, cannot remain silent, without justifying an inference against our continued devotion to the principles of our free institutions, therefore, Resolved, 1. That it is the right of any people, sufficiently numerous for national independence, to throw off, to revolutionize, their existing form of government, and to establish such other in its stead as they may choose. 2. That it is the duty of our government to neither foment, nor assist, such revolutions in other governments. 3. That, as we may not legally or warrantably interfere abroad, to aid, so no other government may interfere abroad, to suppress such revolutions ; and that we should at once, announce to the world, our determinations to insist upon this mutuality of non-intervention, as a sacred principle of the international law. 4. That the late interference of Russia in the Hungarian struggle was, in our opinion, such illegal and unwarrantable interference. 5. That to have resisted Russia in that case, or to resist any power in a like case, would be no violation of our own cherished principles of 50 LINCOLN ON DEMOCRACY non-intervention, but, on the contrary, would be ever meritorious, in us, or any independent nation. 6. That whether we will, in fact, interfere in such case, is purely a question of policy, to be decided when the exigency arrives. 7. That we recognize in Governor Kossuth of Hungary the most worthy and distinguished representative of the cause of civil and religious liberty on the continent of Europe. A cause for which he and his nation struggled until they were overwhelmed by the armed intervention of a foreign despot, in violation of the more sacred principles of the laws of nature and of nations-principles held dear by the friends of freedom everywhere, and more especially by the people of these United States. 8. That the sympathies ofthis country, and the benefits ofits position, should be exerted in favor of the people of every nation struggling to be free; and whilst we meet to do honor to Kossuth and Hungary, we should not fail to pour out the tribute of our praise and approbation to the patriotic efforts of the Irish, the Germans and the French, who have unsuccessfully fought to establish in their several governments the supremacy of the people. 9. That there is nothing in the past history of the British government, or in its present expressed policy, to encourage the belief that she will aid, in any manner, in the delivery of continental Europe from the yoke of despotism; and that her treatment of Ireland, of [Journalist James or perhaps political insurgent Smith-eds.] O'Brien, [patriot and author John-eds.] Mitchell [sic], and other worthy patriots, forces the conclusion that she will join her efforts to the despots of Europe in suppressing every effort of the people to establish free governments, based upon the principles of true religious and civil liberty. ...

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