Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-01-04

IHessfS. EdtEors-ln your paper Oh the ooth
ul,imo, observed an extract headed "Fideli-
,y." from the Percy Anecdotes, on the subject
of the Irish patriot, ROBERT EMMETT, Esq.
send you a true copy OF the speech he made at
his trial; knowing than it will be pleasing 10 the
citizens generally, and more particularly to the
recollection Of a portion of the Irishmen re>id
ing within the sphere of your paper, who were
deeply interested in Ireland's struggle.
CORRECT COPY OF THE SPEECH OF
ROBERT EMMETT, ESQ.
Delivered at the Sessions House, Dublin on the 18th
Sept. 1905, before Lord Norbury, one Of the Chief
Judges of the Court of Kings Bench, and others, be-
fore whom he lad been convicted of High Treason.
NV Lords. WHAT have | TO say why sentence
Of death should not be pronounced on mt, &C
cording to law? have nothing to say, which
Can alter your predeterminations, nor that It
viii become me 10 say with any view TO the
mitigation Of that sentence which you are here
TO pronounce, and mus, abide by But have
that to say which interests me more than hie,
aud which you have laboreo, Gas was necessari-
lY your office, in the present circumstances OF
this oppressed country, TO destroy. have
much TO say why my reputation should be res
cued from the load of false accusation and ca
lumny which has been heaped upon 1t. l d"
not imagine that, seated where you are, your
minds can be so free from impurity, as to re-
ceive the least impression from what am go
ing to utter. have no hopes that can anchor
nv character in the breast Of a court constitu
. ted and trammelled as this If / only wish, and
it is the utmost expect, Tat your Lordships
NAV suffer ii 10 float down your memories, UNI
tainted BY the foul breath OF prejudice, until i,
finds some more hospitable harbour to shelter II
from the rude storm by which it is al present
bufFeted. Were only to suffer death after be-
ing adiudged guilty by your tribunal should
bow in siIeace, and meet the fate that awaits
me without a murnrur. But the sentence OF
the law which delivers my body to the execu-
toner, will, through the ministry Of that law,
LABOR in its own vindication, to consign my
character to obloquy, for there must be guilt
Observation-Disclosures IN the sentence OF the
Court, or in the catastrophe, posteri,y must de-.
termine. A man iu my situation, my Lords,
has no, only 10 encounter the difficulties Of for
tune, and the force of power over minds which
j, has corrupted or subjuga,ed, bu, the difficult
ties Of established prejudice;-the man dies,
but his memory lives. That mine may not pc
rish-that il ,y live in the respect CT my coun-
trymen, l seize upon this opportunity to vindi-
care myself from some Of the charges alleged
against me. When my spirit shall be waited
to more friendly port; when my shade shall
have joined the bands Of those martyred heroes
who hav. shed their blood on the scaffold and
in the field, in the defence Of their country and
OF virtue, this Is my hope: wish that my mems
CRY and name may animate those who survive
me, while look down with complacency on
,f that r6dions oovprument
which upholds its domination by blasphemy Of
the Most High-which displays Its power over
man as over the beasts Of the forest-which sets
man upon his brother, and lifts his hand, in the
name Of God, against the throat OF his fellow,
who believes or doubts little more or little
less than the government standsrd-a govern
ment which is steelrd 10 barbarity by the cries
of the orphans and the tears Of the widows
which it has made
(Here Lord Nor6ury interrupted Ar Emmsf,
saying that the oicked enihusiasts ,oho feh
as he did, tceye not egualto the accomplishment
of their tc,ld Designs.
appeal to the immaculate Cod swear by
the throne ofheaven, before which must short
Nv appear-by the blood Of the murdered Pa
triots who have gone before me-that my
conduct has been, through all this peril, and
through all my purposes, governed only by the
convictions which have utIered, and by no 9TH
er view, than that of their cure, and the eman-
cipation of my country from the superinhuman
oppression, under which she has so long and too
patiently travelled; and that | confidently and
assurediy hope, that, Wild and chimerica' as i,
may appear, there is still union and strength in
Ireland to accomplish this noblest enterprise
Of this speak with the confidence OF intimate
knowledge, and with the consolation that APP
pertains to that confidence. Think not, my
lords, say this for the petty gratihcation oil
giving you transi,ory uneasiness: man who
never YET raised his voice to assert lie, Will
not hazard his character with posteri,y by as
ser,ing fal,ehood on subject so important
to his country, and on an occasion like this
Yes, nv lords, a man who does not wish to have
his epitaph written, until his country is hberat-
ed. will not leave weapon in the power oil en-
vy. nor a pre.ence TO i,npeach the probity which
he means to preserve even in the grave to which
tyranny consiGns him.
IHers he ,oas again infsrupfsd BY the Court
Again say, that what have spoken, was no:
intended for your iordshIPs, whose situation
com misera,e rather than envy-my expressions
~.rs for my coua,rymrn; if there is . True