The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-09-01
AROMANCE OF HISTORY

like spirits OF the great Giraldi family 0
Florence, Italy, made their way into Ire
land, Their descendants gradually becam
the Irish Geraldines, their title being Earl
OF Kildare. The twentieth Earl OF Kildar
was also the first Duke OF Leinster and tn,
father OF nineteen children. His fifth Sol
was Lord Edward Fitzgerald, whose tragi
fate ia only second in interest to that o
Robert Emmett.
Madden says' 1.-THE young patriot soldie
OF the House Of Leinster who stepped int
the area Of great struggle for the indepen
denCe Of his country in l79S revived tht
recollection OF the old Geraldines in thei
best days, and when he persisted nothing
OF them but name and another mournfn
episode in Irish history remained"
Although possessed Of wealth Lord Fitz
gerald early chose profession, that OF the
military. He fought In the American wal
OF independence with distinction, but did
not receive the promotion ne was entitled
to. He travelled in Canada and the West
India Isles, and on one Of those picked ur
a negro "body.servant," known afterward
rs "the faithful Tony"
Returning to his own country, younl
Lord Edward became q member OF the
Irish Rouse Il Commons.
During his terms Of leisure he used Ia
travel for pleasure, and on one OF These
jaunts he visited Gibraltar. There was
then in the English garrison troops OF that
fortress q subordinate officer named Henry
Charles SIR. They became friends, and
years after the Infamous SIR bore testi'
mony to he high character OF Fitzgerald
In the House OF 90 nmons Lord Ed
wards name ia found in all divisions, inva
riabl7 on the side Of his country; in favor
Of all measures that were tolerant, just and
iberal-that is TO say, on the side that was
always worsted in the Irish Parliament in
those times. .
1t is not necessary to trace step by step
this young nobleman as he gradually Fe-
coded from the patrician ranks in which
he had been born and bred-laying down
one honor after another bestowed upon
him by royal favor, until We lind hip a
United Irishman, pledged heart and soul
to their schemes for the freedom OF Ire
land. He resigned his seat in Parliament,
reHounced his title and wore the emblem
OF sedition in public. In-t797 Fitzgerald
and his fast friend, Arthur o Conner, were
riding home from the CurFash races. A
party OF about dozen officers OF tragoons
gall0ped latter them, and, intercepting
them, commanded Lord Edward to take
Oft his necktie, which being green, WIS So
di,ious.. Lord Edward locked the officer
coolly in the face and quietly replied:
"Your cloth would speak you to be q
gentleman, but this conduct conveys dit
lerent impression. As 10 this neCkcloth
which so otfends you, all ! ca1 say Ia here
/ stand. Let any man among you who
dares, come and lake it OIL"
No one approached. 0'Conner then
suggested that, il the officers chose to ap'
point any two Of their number, Lord Ed"
ward would be found in Kildare. The
two dozen Drawcansir dragons cooled
down: none OF them replied, and although
the Irishman waited two days for the ex'
pected challenge, 1t did not come.
There Is no historian that we can find
Who impugns the honor or bravery OF this
patriotic nobleman. All bear tribute to
the uprightness OF his character, the purity
OF his motives and the amiability OF his
disposition. His mind was Of the best, nat
uralIy, and highly cultivated by study and
bv travel. Even the infamous, stony.
hearted Glare, Chancellor oil ireland at tho
time, is reported as saying, iii the friends
OF Lord Edward could induce him to leave
the kingdom, every port should be open u
him." Friends Immediately eHdeaVcaed
to persuade the patriot TO avail himself Of
he opportunity to escape, but IN vain.
Fitzgerald replied:
at is now out Of the question. l an.
too deeply pledged to these men to be able
to withdraw with honor"
He was the only strictly military man
among the United Irishmen, and genera
rising being determined upon for the 23d
OF May, Lord Edward was to put himself
at the head OF the United lrishmen q
Leinster. Warrants were out for bis ap'
prehensiou, and he was taken by friendi
from one place Of hiding to another, as the
vigilance OF the authorities necessitated
frequent changes OIL bis place OF conceal
ment.
Finally a reward OF El,O00 was offered
for his discovery. Whenever he stole out
1t was in disguise.
Ole day, with Samuel Nelson, he ven
tured out on horseback 10 examine the
country in the vicinity oil Dublin, on the
borders OF Kildare, and returning, wal
stopped by the patrol at Palmerstown, and
closely examined. Nelson Immediately
ieigned intoxication, unable to answer the
questions put to him. Fitzgerald described
himself as doctor, and the business ht
was in satisfied the patrol, who released
the two, and thus lost an opportunity o.
making $1,000. After this escape, Fitz
gerald was more cautions, and never wen
out again during tine time OF his conceal
meut except preceded by one OF his guard
few yards in advance Of him, and mar
on opposite sides Of the streets.
90 strange are the events which the whiri
igg OF time brings around that the q ce
keenest in pursuit OF Fitzgerald was tina
very same Henry Charles SIR, WHOM
eleven years before, he had met on friendly
terms at Gibraltar. SIR was now Major
high in authority, and determined to ruI
the patrician patriot to earth. Information
having been given SIR that Fitzgerald
with his body guard, would pass d. certail
point at certain hour Of the night, SI
was there with his men lying in wait Jus
as Lord Edward waB on the point Of hein
seized, SIR found himself In the grasp c
two powerful, men. A fierce struggle eu
sued, in which SIR was only too glad
save himself by letting his antagonists e'
cape, but his luminosity was kindled TO
murderous extent.
Many incidents are related showing tn
love cfthe people Of Fitzgerald. NiChola
Dempsey, yeoman sentinel, was on
morning at dawn, with musket shouldereC
pacing 100 and fro eixlip bridge, near tn
Salmon Leap.
A young man dressed as peasant, wit
lreize coat and corduroy knee-breechei
approached the bridge driving half dcze
sheep. He ask the sentinel II there was q
available night park at hand where b