But as to those two who do good service to the tyrant of their and my country, the very circumstance that they were silent when I (because a prisoner) was not able to work much, but are trying to check my endeavours, now that I am about to achieve something which can only prove to be a benefit to Hungarians,—­smaller or greater, but only a benefit and in no case a harm; this very circumstance shows the nature of their attacks.  But as to the pretence, by which they try to lull to sleep their own consciences, that was revealed to me by a copy of a confidential communication of one of their silent associates to a private circle of friends, where it is stated, that, as I have declared exclusively for a republic, a party must be got up under the nominal leadership of Bathyanyi, on a monarchical basis, because my views leave no hope to get home in an honourable manner, otherwise than by a revolution.

That is the key of the dispute.  As to myself, I am a republican, and will never be a subject to a king, any more than be a king myself.  But I love my country too sincerely to favour the course I would pursue, on my own private sentiments alone.  I know the Hapsburg, and I know my country.  I have weighed my people’s revolution, wishes and will, and weighed the condition of the only possible success.  Upon this basis I act, and am happy to say that the considerate prudence of a statesman, and the duties of a patriot, not only act in full harmony with my own personal republican convictions, but indeed cannot allow me in any other course.  Either freedom and our popular rights have no future, not only in Hungary, but indeed in Europe, or that future will be, can be, and shall be only republican for the Hungarians.  It is more than foolish to think that either an insurrectionary war can be prevented in Europe, or that that war can terminate otherwise than either by a consolidated despotism or republicanism.  No other issue is possible.  Therefore, however mean be the private motives of the hostility of those, my very few Hungarian enemies, I pity them.  Out of too great a desire to get home, they have made their return in every case impossible.  Not all the power of earth could afford them security at home against the indignation of the people.  Not, if I succeed to liberate my country, for the people will consider them as traitors, who have done all they could to prevent that liberation; not, if I should fail, because then the people will believe that their counter-machinations are what caused me to fail.

So much for them.  But the confidence with which I look to the republican freedom of Hungary has been confirmed, by considering how weak must the case be of those who urge you to indifference, when they are forced to resort to the argument that we have no chance of success.