Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-06-13
SKETCHES OF THE IRISH BAR.
Mr.. PLUNKETr

An Irish newspaper, printed in Dublin, con-
talns an interesting series of sketches of the
Irish Bar, from which we copy the annexed
sketch, Of the celebrated Irish Barristcr, Mr.
Plunkett, man, who for many years has held
an eminent rank, as politician, and as law
yer. We give the sketch, because we are
well assured, that it will be found interesting; !;
and will call forth the Indignation of the
reader, against the man, who could proceed 10
extraordinary lengths, and exercise extra -iudic-
ial privileges, simply for the sake of afiording
himself facilities, to work out the condemna-
tion Of the Irish patriot and hero, Robert En-
NETT. But as Mr.. Plunket, has partially re-
deemed himself, we will copy the sketch with
out Offering further remarks:
Mr.. P.unkctt's father was a PRESBYTERIAN
in the North of Ireland He died during the
infancy of his children, leaving them and his
widow without any provision; but learning has
always been cheap in Ireland, and Mrs. Plum
kett contrived TO procure for her son, a class
ical education. The subject of the present
notice, was at an early age befriended by the
late Lord Avenmore. have conversed with
one or two persons who recollect to have seen
him a constant inmate at his Lordship's house,
and their report of him is, "that he was a
clever, hard-hearted boy, very attentive to his
studies, and very negligent of his person. -
He passed in due course through Trinity Col
lege, Ddblin: and was called TO the Irish bar
in 1887; his professional Advancement was
rapid and steady. The first public notice that
| can find of his name is upon the trial of The
Sheareses, in 1898: he associated with Curran
and Ponsonby in the defence of the unfortunate
brothers, and, like them, vainly urged every
topic that legal ingenuity could devise to avert
lher doom. ! anu not aware that Mr.. Plum
hett appeared as counsel for the prisoners in
any subsequent state trial He became a
member of the Irish Parliament in 1891 On
the question Of the Union, he took the side of
his country: his speeches on that occasion con-
tam many fine specimens Of reasoning, inyec-
tive, and deliberate enthusiasm. A single SEN
tence will oontey an ldca Of their general spir-
1t: 49," FOR me, do not hesitate TO declare, that
1t the madness of the RevOluiionlsts should tell
me you must sacrifice British ,onnexion i'm
preference TO the independence ofmy country;'
but have as little hesitation in saying, that,
IT the wanton ambition of Il minister should as
sault the freedom of Ireland, and compel me
to the alternative, would fling the connexion
to the winds, and would clasp the ndepend-
enco ofmy country to my heart" But in those
days, as was remarked, "thc voice of the |
patriot in the Senate, was answered by no echo |
from without" The nation was panic-struck
gold and promises were profIsely scattered;
the ma jority of the Honorable House." were
impatient to be sold. though the wages Of their
sin was DEATH The people had nothing to
offer but gratitude and fame-the minister had
titles, Offices, and pensions, and the Irish Par
Lament was knocked down to the highest
bidder.
In 1903 Mr.. Plunkett appeared as one Of
the counsel for the prosecution, on the trial of
Mr.. Robert Emmett. One particular in his con-
duct on that occasion, exposed him to great |
and, as II appears TO me, most unmerited re-
proach. The unfortunate prisoner made no |
defence-in truth, he had none to make: he pro-
duced no evidence, and his counsel announced |
that they would state no case to the jury On |
this ground, they contended that the counsel |
for the Crown should not be allowed TO address
the jury second time. Mr. Plunkett insisted |
upon his right: the Court decided the question
in his favour, and he proceeded to comment at
length, upon the conduct Of the prisoner, and
upon the wildness and guilt Of the conspiracy
Of which he had been the protector. Emmct's
youth and talents, and his department on his
rial, excited universal sympathy: almost all
oven those who would not consent TO spare him,
Ditied him as victim-many admired and de-
Dlorcd him as a martyr. The latter exclaimed
against Mr.. Plunkett's exercise Of his privilege
% speak to the evidence, as an act Of gratui-
Gus inhumanity. confess see the matter in
quite another light Mr.. Punkett was a pub
ic man, whose opinions had great weight with
he community; and conceive it TO have been
10Th natural and laudablc, that he should have
cized the opportunity of reprobating in the
most emphatic terms the visionary projects of
evolution that still prevailed Curran, from
imilar impulse of public duty, had done the
anne thing few days before, on the defence
f Owen Kirwan, where We find him dgrcss-
ng from the immediate case before tho urv,
nto an elaborate and glowing exposition Of the
uilt and hopelcssncss Of attempting TO better
ne condition Of Ireland by force. Blu, the
nemies Of Mr.. Punkett were not satisfied with I
general assertion that his conduct had been I
harsh. To aflix a deeper stigma
n his character, IL was industrously circulated
nat he had been a constant guest Of Emmots
'thcr, at whose table he had inculcated poliii {
a principles upon the son, which now brought r
I'M to the grave; and, 10 give credit 10 the
iumny, a passage was nterpolated in the g
port Of Emmets address TO tho Court, in
hich tho dying enthusiast was made to pro- &
ounce bitter invoctive against "tho viper {,
at his father had nursed in his bosom" Mr.. =
Iunkott was compelled TO resort TO public r
Indication of his character. Ho instituted $,
gal proceedings against London Journal in C