The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-10-21


all others who enjoy or who hope to enjoy human
liberty. We insert it for another rcason-it gives
us occasion to say few words on the character of
the Irish people. In our intercourse with men we
have found great many of the opinion that the
Irish as n nation are naturally inferior, which is
far from being true. Such persons as we allude to
have formed their opinion from what they have seen
of the Irish people in this country-and nothing can
be more Just, more calculated to mlslead, than
to form opinion that subject in this way
We have not fair representation of Irelend in this
country Those who have come hither, with few
exceptions, were, while in their country, the
most wretchcd in every point Of view-and their
wrctchedness was probably brought upon them, in
great degree, by the oppressive laws of England,
under which they travelled. We say the Irish peo-
pie are not naturally inferior and the proof may be
found in the fact that Ireland has produced of
the greatest Orators, Statesmen and Poets which
have ever lived. Look at her Burke, Curran,
Grattan, Emmet, Sheridan, O'Connel, Phillips
her Swift, Goldsmith and Moore, ,-men whose fame
has not, can it easily be, ecpsed.
The following speech Of Robert Emmett, has been
universally and justly admired 1t is Of the
most touching and splendid productions, when all
the circumstances Of his case are taken into consid
Grafton, which the English language affords. His
youth, his unbemished reputation, his devotion to
his country, which knew no bounds,-his splendid
talents and noble and Independent conduct in the
presence of his hearess and tyrannical prosecutors
render every thing connected with his history inter-
csng. Mr.. Curran remarked fhim that he would
| A..
the oath Of common men.
lie embarked in an unsuccessful enterprise to
emaucipntc his country from British thraldom
He apprehended, and tried for high treason
aud, a matter of course, condemned to die
This was in 1903. Emmett not yet, we believe,
twenty -one years old. He engaged to be mar
ricd to accomplished young lady the daughter of
Curran. She never recovered from the shock which
the news of his trial and execution gave her. She
went to the south of Europe and soon after died of
broken heart.
Emmett was subjected to the form of tral--yct
he attempted no defence, for there is doubt, and
he thought, that his sentence was fixed upon be-
fore the assembling of the court. Lord Norbury pre-
sided-a man in regard to whom it is said that when
he died, "Mere was many dry eye in Ireland"
The jury pronounced the prisoner guilty, and the
usual question was put to him" What have you to
say why Judgment of death and execution shall
not be awarded against you according to law ?"
To this question Mr.. Emmett and made the
following speech :-LopeH Journal 4. Bulletin.
SPEECH OF ROBERT EMMETT, ESQ.
Before Lord Norbury, at the Sessions House.
Dublin.
I am asked if | have any thing to say, why sem
tence of death should not be pronounced on
cording TO law l have nothing to say that can
after your predetermnatlon nor that will become
me to say, with any view TO the mitigation of that
sentence which you here to pronounce, and
must abide by. But have that to say which in
terests me more than life and which YOU have la
bored (as necessarily your office IN the present
circumstances of this oppressed country to destroy
have much to say why my reputation should be
rescued from the load of false accusation and cal
umny which has been heapcd upon it.
| do not imagine that seated where you are, your
minds can be so free from mpurty, as to receive
the least impression from what am going to utter !;
have no hopes that | can anchor character in the
breast of court, constituted and trammelled as this
| is. only wish, and it is the utmost expect that
your lordships may suffer it to float down your
memories, untanted by the foul breath of prejudice,
until it finds some more hospitabe harbor, to shell
ter 1t from the storms by which 1t is at present buff
ettcd. Were | only to suffer DEATH after being
adjudged guilty by your tribunal, should bow in
silence, and meet the fate that awaits without
murmur; but the sentence of the law, which delrv-
ers my body to the cxecutioner, will through the
ministry of that law, labor, in its vndication to
consign my character to obloquy; for there must
be guilt somewhere whether in the sentence OF
the court, or in the catastrophe, posterty must de-
termine. A man in my situation, has not only to
encounter the difficulties of fortune, and the force
of power, over minds which it has corrupted sub
jugaed, but also the difficulties of established pre-
ljudicc. The man dies, but his memory lives. THAI
mine may not perish-that it may live in the res
pect of my countrymen, seize upon this opportun-
ity to yindicate myself from of the charge: