Note 29 — CRIMES OF THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA AGAINST MANKIND. (continued 6)

Before the union of Transylvania with Hungary, there were some important differences in the political constitutions of the two countries. In Transylvania a distinction of races was recognized. In the Transylvanian diet, the Magyars, the Szeklers, and the Saxons were represented as distinct nationalities, by their respective deputies. The Wallachian inhabitants of the country were not represented in the diet as a distinct race; they were counted as Magyars. A Wallachian noble might be elected to the diet, but he sat there as a Magyar. Among the Szeklers, a race closely kindred to the Magyars, the distinction between noble and non-noble has never been introduced. They have preserved their ancient institutions in greater purity than the Magyars. By the union of Transylvania with Hungary, all political distinctions founded on difference of race were abolished: the same system of representation was established in Transylvania as in Hungary; all the inhabitants, without distinction of race, were admitted in the right of suffrage, the possession of a very small amount of yearly income being the only qualification required.