Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-05-25
ROBERT EMMETT:
HIS ARREST, TRIAL AND EXECUTION.
BIZ LAWRENCE LESLIE.

Of the honored dead who have fallen in
:, !, the cause Of Irish independence, none have
left a brighter record or purer fame than
the subject OF this sketch, Robert Emmet.
= A patriot of incorruptible integrity, man
Of unsulIied honor, and martyr of un-
+:.nching heroism, his name will live as long
as the Green Isle he loved so we'll is wash
ed by the waves Of the ocean.
Robert Emmett was born in Dublin on
the 4th Of March, l77s. His family WAS
an old and honorable one, and endowed
with much talent, all of his brothers hav =
ing risen to considerable distinction.-
Thomas Adds Emmett late of New York
CITY, was the oldest of the family, and Ro-
bert the youngest. He early gave evidence
Of great natural talents, especially excelling
in oratoricai requirements, and his sound
republican principles were noted even in his
boyhood. AT Trinity College, which he
entered at fifteen years of age, he expressed
himself so freely in favor of democracy,
and denounced SO sternly the English, ,ys-
tenn of government>abuse in Ireland, that
he was soon expelled from that institu-
tion.
When the Revolution of 1898 broke out
most Of Emmet's family became involved
in it, and were finally arrested and lodged
ia prison. BE therefore became alarmed
for his own safety and fed to France.
He spent nearly FIVE years abroad, and
secretly returned in 1903 for the purpose of
organizing an insurrection which should
act in conjunction with French invading
force which Napoleon had promised to fur.
nisb, aud which, it was fondly hoped,
would achieve the independence of the Irish
ussion.
He established lis head quarters in Dub
lin, and conducted his enterprise with such
secrecy that the government failed to dis
cover any Of his movements or intentions.
BY the aid of the society of "United Irish.
men,, information CT the intended rising
communicated to nearly every part of the
country, and eight thousand men had pro-
mised to be in Dublin on the next day Of
the outbreak, Snch was the defenceless
state Of the English interests on the island
at that time, that had the promised aid been
given, tho object Of the insurrection would
no doubt have been obtained. But instead
OF that number, only five hundred men
obeyed the summons, and ouly one hun
dred of these took anv part iu the subse-
4uent operations. Even the most Of these
fell out on the march to the point of
attack; .and when Emmet reached the
gates Of The castle-which lie was to carry
by assanlt-he found he had but twenty
men. Ofcourse, the project was abandon
ed; and as the entire military of the city
had become alarmed, and were marching
upon them from all directions, the little
band dispersed, and each sought his own
safety in fight. 4
Emmet was the leading spirit in this in
surrection., He planned the revolt, drew
up constitution for an Irish republic, and
was elected General of the Rebel forces.
After the;failure, he fed with others, and
remained for come weeks secreted in. the
interior. :is highly probable that he.
might hare escaped from the country had.
!, it not been foran act Of great rasbnesr.
He;formedGa a strong attachment TO Miss
I,.....,Ss. TT, sf sho s;T.;,bLs.