American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-03-16
T1T r Robert Emmett.

s1Ihlere are few characters in moderl
history more calculated to excite th,
af1ecuonate enthusiasm of lovers of lib
erty than Robert Emmett. He was SC
1lch In natural gifts of mind and person
SO pure in patriotism, so noble in cour.
age and motives, SO absolutely unselfisl
IN his devotion to his country, and with,
al SO tragic in his fate, that, not to Irish
men only, but TO men of all races, his
story is full of solemn and singular in
terest. Amid the thunder and tumult
which'shook all Europe at the opening
.fof the present century, the feeble flash
OF the Dublin insurrection was almost
unnotlced, and it was in after years that
the details of the trial and execution of
Emmet were searched out and made
generally known. So far as immediate
practical results for the benefit of Ire
land were concerned the emeute was
almost fruitless, and if Emmet's career
and character were to be determined by
1T, he would be condemned as a political
visionary, and the chronicle of his fame
would be merely melancholy histori-
cal romance But in the heart of
his countrymen and by the fair
minded and well-informed everywhere,
Emmett is not judged by his misfortunes.
,de conceived a practical, comprehen-
siEe plan in the interest of Irish free
dom, which had the approval of Napo-
leon and other military leaders as to
feasibility and Importance, 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
death there was not a trace of ostenta-
ton. Full of dignity and calm courage,
he vindicated his character and purpose,
and, in words that will ring in the
hearts of his countrymen forever, he as
serted the principles of Irish nationali-
ty. 1t IS not strange that such man
should exercise powerful historical eff
feet, and that the magnetic influence of his |
should pervade Irish political |
opinion of to-day and stimulate the vi
tallty. .ofthat national hope which thrill I
ed and nodded his own life Emmett |
and many of his political associates
were Protestants, as were also not a few
of the leaders of '98, and hence, !
rs body of Irish patriots,
they furnished practical refutation
Of the often repeated slander that
Irish hostility to England had its origin
and was kept alive by religious antago-
nisms. He believed with Tone and !
others that religious opinions had no
necessary connection with political con-
7ictions, and that the only hope for Irish
liberty was in Irish unity, and it is in
his direction that his influence is pow
srful to-day. The Irish nationalists are
wiser and more united at present, even
not as numerous, than they have been
or many years, and Robert Emmett is
their historical hero, and
Inspires more than any one character of
he past their plans and purposes.
Within the last 10 years there has been
| revival of interest in his principles,
bringing from the same mysterious
,auses which from century to century
lave terminated Irish political hopes,
md the approaching centennial celebra-
ion in his honor, conceived on a liberal 7
'asis, and appealing to Irishmen ire
pective of all differences, is in aeeord
nee with the spirit of fraternity an
lnion which Emmett impersonates /
listory.-St. Louis Republican.