The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-02-26
Centenary of Robert Emmst's Birth

Centenary of Robert Emmet's Birth.
By reference to the local columns of
THE ARGUS it will be seen that measures
have been taken by the Irish-American
citizens Of this city, under the auspices of
st, Joseph's church. to celebrate the Gen.
tenary Of ROBERT EMslET's birth, on the
fourth Of March next, at Killers Hall.
Our exchanges also speak Of like prepare
tons in other cities where the occasion will
be celebrated with appropriate and inter.
esting entertainments'in commemoration
Of the Emmett centenary.
Few characters in Irish history stand
out with holder individuality, or are re-
membered by the sons Of the Emerald Isle
with more loyal devotion to his memory,
than ROBERT EMMETT. His burning elo-
quence aud nobility of soul shine with pre-
eminent lustre il his proud and dauntless
speech to the relentless and implacable
court which doomed him to a felon's death.
With genuine pleasure and hearty
approval, we transfer to our columns the
following sentiments so justly and ably ex-
pressed by the st. Louis Republican:
There are few characters in modern
history more calculated to excite the
affectionate enthusiasm of lovers of liberty
than Robert Emmett. He was SO rich in
natural gifts of mind and person, so pure
in patriotism, so noble 10 courage and
fuou huA L L
devotion to his country, and withal so
tragic in his fate, that, not to Irishmen
only, but to men of all races his story is
full OF solemn and singular interest. Amid
the thunder and tumult that shook all
Europe at the opening of the present cen
tury, the feeble fash of the Dublin insur-
rection was almost unnoticed, and it was in
after years that the details of the trial and
execution of Emmett were searched out and
made generally known. Solar as immediate
practical results for the benefit of Ireland
were concerned the emeUte was almost fruit
less, and 1t EMMETs career and character
were to he determined by it he would be
condemned as political visionary, and the
chronicle of his fame would be merely q
melancholy historical romance. But in the
heart OF his contrymen and by the fair
minded and well-informed everywhere.
EMMETT is not judged by his misfortunes.
lie conceived practical, comprehensive
plan IN the interest of Irish freedom,
which had the approval of NAPOLEON and
other military leaders as to feasibility and
the events which led to its miscarriage
could not have been foreseen and were
wholly beyond his control. In the well
known scenes attending his trial and deatt
there was not trace OF Ostentation. Full
OF dignity and calm courage he viudicateC
his character and purpose, and in word
that will ring in the hearts OF his country
men forever, he asserted the principles q
Irish nationality. 1t is not strange ths
such man should exercise a powerful his
torical effect and that the magnetic infiu
ence Of his memory should pervade Iris
political opinions of to day and stimulat
the vitality of the national hope whic
thrilled and moulded his own life. EMME
and many of his political associates wer
Protestants, as were also few of the lea
ders of SO, and hence. as body of Iris
patriots, they furnished practical refuti
tlon OF the otten-repeated SANDER that Iris
hostlllty to England had it's oriyi
ana was kept alive by religious antal
onisms' he believed WithGT TONE and othei