The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-04-25
ROBERT EmaIEr.

There are few characters in modern
history more calculated TO excite the af-
feotionate enthusiasm Of love OF liberty
than Robert Emmet. He was so r'oh IL
natural gifts OF mind and person, so pure
in patriotism, SO noble IN courage and
motive, 80 absolutely unselish in his dc.
votion to his country, and wilhal 80 tragic
in bis fate, that, MOTTO lrishmon only, but
men OF all races, his story Is fun OF sol.
emn and singular interest. Amid the
thunder and tumult which shook all
Europe at the opening the Dublin In
surrection was unnoticed, and II was In
after years that The trial and execution OF
Emmett were searched out and made gen.
orally known. So far as immediate prac-
tical result for the benefit Of Ireland
were concerned, the cmeute was almost
frnitIess. and If Emmet's career and char.
acter were TO be determined by II, hc
would be condemned as political vision
ary, aud the chronicle Of his fame would
be merely melancholy historical ro-
nance. But in The heart Of bic country.
men, and by the fair minded and well In
formed every where, Emmett is not
judged by his misfortune. lie conceived
practical, comprehensive plan in tho In
terest Of Irish freedom, which has the ap.
proval Of Napoleon aud other military
leaders as to feasibility aud inpoftat oei
and The events which Ied TO the miscar-
riage could not have been foreseen aud
were wholly beyond bis control. IN the
well.known ecenes attending his trial aud
death there was not trace Of ostentation.
Full OF dignity and calm courage, he vim
dieated bis character aud purpose, and,
In words that will ring IN the hearts Of
bis countrymen forever, be asserted the
principles Of Irish nationality. II Is not
strange that such man should exercise
powerful historical effect aud that tie
magnetic Influence Of bis memory should
peryade Irish political Opinlon Of TO day,
aud stimulate The vitality of that national
hope which thrilled aud moulded hlsown
life. Emmet and many ot bis political as
sociates were Prolestants, as were also
not few Of The leaders of 1913 aad hence
as body Of Irish patfiots, they furnished
practical refutsiion Of the often repeat.
ed SANDER that Irish hostility 10 England
had its origin and kept alive bg religious
aDtagonisms lie believed with Tone aud
others that religious opinions bad no nee
esssry connection with political conyic-
,ions, aud thst the only hope for Irlsh
liberty was 10 Irish unity, aud Il il ID tbis
direction that hisinnueuee il powerful 70.
day. The Irish natiouaIists afe wiser
and more united II present, even II not
rs Numerous, than they have been ior
many years aud Robert Lmmet Il IN
doubtedly their historical hero aud 10.
spired more than any one character VI the
past there plans and purposes. WilhlD
The Iasl ten years there has been revival
of interest 10 bis principles, sprlngiBg
from the same mysterious cause which
from centnry 70 century haye fesnimaied
lrisB political hope, and tbs approaching
centennial celebration 10 Ais honor, con.
ceiged ou liberal basis, aud appealing 70
irlsLmen iuespecllge ef all differences. j.
IN secodauee with tie tplfit o. fraternity
aud union which Emmel impgr9ualss in
history.