Page:Heinrich Karl Schmitt - The Hungarian Revolution - tr. Matthew Phipps Shiel (1918).djvu/41

 He announced that the King had released tho members of the Cabinet from their oath, and that the final determination of the form of the State would be left to the National Assembly to be convoked. In the same breath the Premier announced that all elections henceforth would be on the basis of the excellent private-members Election Bill embodying women's suffrage, the introduction and passage of which impended. If, however. the present Parliament yet again rejected this Bill, the Government would bring it in as required by the people's will, and by the people's will declare it law

Kàrolyi's speech aroused an indescribable demonstration of joy, through which trumpet-tones, clear shrilling. accompanied the unanimous cry:—

"Long live the Republic!"

From this day on, then, is the actuality of the Hungarian People's Republic to be dated. Although not yet formally declared, the situation as a whole could only have as its actual consequence that the state of Hungary from these hours had become a People's State, a Res Publica

After the Ministers' speeches there reigned in the National Council a most noisy agitation. A drunken joy overcame all.

And then through a soundless silence sounded the oaths of the Ministers, as they uttered to the President of the National Council the words:—

"I swear to hold fealty to Hungary, to guard her complete independence, with all my powers to advance the prosperity, the freedom, and the development of the country. So help me, God!"

In many a choked throat the shout of joy remained dumb. The Event was overpowering in its swiftness and smoothness, historic in its overpoweringness, in its historic value decisive.

The strains of the National hymn rang through the room, the noise of it spread, was taken up in corridors and landings, and far down and away from the building sounded at the same time the same air.

It touches close, this hymn.

Later it was told me in a Party club that the