National Republican., 1883-03-06
The One Hundred and Sixth Anniversary Of
Robert Emmets Birth
The Occasion Celebrated by the Irish
People Of the Capital.
An Address by Capt Edward O'Meaghcr CondOn--
Declarations, Rotations and Music
Spirited Resolutions Adoptcd--Thc shcri-
dan ExtradItion Case.

high treason. Lord NOrbury, Mr.. Baron
George, and Justice DAILY were on the bench,
md the trial occupied nearly the entire day.
few minutes after the judges charge, and
without leaving the box, the foreman Of the
jury addressed the court, saying: "My Lords,
have consulted with my brother jurors, and
we are of opinion that tho prisoner is
guilty" Emmett, through his counsel, asked
that the Judgment of the court might
be postponed until next morning. This
request was not granted. After the
clerk of the crown had read the
indictment and stated tho verdict in the
usual form, he said "What have you there
fore, now to say why Judgment Of death aud
execution should not be awarded against you
according to law2' Emmett, exhausted as he
was by the trial in which he had taken an
active part, made reply in that speech which
may be safely pronounced one of the most
splendid and,powerful efIusions Of impassioned
eoquencc and patriotic devotion which ever
fell impromptu from human lips.
THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH ANNIvER-
sARY
of the birth of that great patriot and martyr
was celebrated by the Clan-na- Gael, the Wolf
Tone, and the Junior Clan.na-Gael associa-
tions at Odd Fellows hall last night by very
interesting entertainment. The hall was
decorated with American and Irish flags and
emblems, and the stars and stripes twned
with the gold harp of Erin in picturesque fra
ternity. Every available foot of space was
occupied by the unusually large assembly of
spectators and all the prominent Irishmen in
the city were present, either as spectators or
as participants in the programme. The cur
tain did not rise upon Tho Trial Scene
of Robert Emmett" until some minutes after
s o'clock Mr.. Charles j. Barrett, in the char
acter of Emmett recited the famous speech in
most eloquent and forcible manner. The
other characters in the scene were taken by
Mesrrs. Plant, Hannah, Boucher, Duffy
O'Meara, Gleason, Bellew, Mcintyre, Null
Inns, Kennedy, and others. After an inter-
mission
CAPT. EDWARD o'MEAGHER CoNDoN,
the orator of the evening, addressed the audi
ence. He said on account of the great distress
existing in Ireland it was thought by the
members of the committee of arrangements
more becoming to celebrate this anniversary
in comparatively quiet manner in order that
all energies should bo directed toward alle-
waiting as far as possible the suffering of which
the people are again the victims. But the
demand which has been made within the past
few days by the British government for the
extradition of p. j. Sheridan, of the Irish
World editorial staff, induced the commit
tee to change its original resolu-
tion that an expression of popular
opinion and feeling might be evoked
with respect to this presumptuous claim. 1t
was too late, however, when this decision was
arrived at to insure the presence of our
friends who yesterday concluded their labors
at the capitol, and most of whom are already
ON their homeward journey. But | am sure
that, though absent in body, they are with us
IN spirit; and sure moreover, that no eN-
planation or entreaty is necessary to induce
our fellow citizens, absent or present, to join
with us on the anniversary of the birth of one
who was hanged and beheaded because he
sought, in his own words, to procure for Ire
land the same guarantee which Washington
procured for America" in our protest against
the surrender to like fate of a man whose
"crime is that of having sought to attain
the same ends by the same means.
There is but little need to speak to you of
Robert Emmett. His memory is dear to every
one who loves freedom His dying speech is
familiar as a household word TO our citizens,
whether native or adopted. The story of his
unmerited, untimely death has aroused the
sterncst Indignation of every lover of free
doom. The sad, yet sweet tale of his love has
been told by Irving in words that are en-
craven in countless hearts.
He was born while America was yet strug-
Cling for the boon she so nobly won His in
fant ears had been greeted by the news that
England had disavowed any right to make
laws for Ireland In his boyhOod Irish clO-
quonce attained a position never equaled be-
fore or since, and all his surroundings were
such as should inspire proud young spirit
with the hope of high destiny for his race
with a faith death could not deprive him Of
that she should one day take her place
amongst the nations Of the earth' That hope
and faith are ours to-day, and our dearest
earthly hope is their realization.
Emmett was youth Of twenty when Fitz-
gerald died in dungeon of the wounds in
hicted by his captoIs and when Tone was
butchered in his prison cell He saw his
brother and his dearest friends incarcerated;
he saw despair, like pail, overspread the
land, but his proud young spirit never wav-
cred his invincible determination remained
unaterable; he lent all tho resources of his
genius to the accomplishment of the object
upon which his heart-like the heart of
every true man of his race, then and
tho freedom of his native land.
He failed. He perished for the cause and the
land he loved yet to-day he is honored, and
his memory is cherished while that of his
prosecutors is eXecrated like that of Frank
Inns brutal insulters-only remembered be-
cause of their connection with him and his
fate. Standing before the hired and remorse-
less brute, whose masters had already doomed
him to the scalfold, he uttered words which
shall never die till the love of freedom dies i'm
the human heart. His dying address has all
the characteristics of Irish eloquence, all the
fire of Irish patriotism. 1t will stand forever
an irrelutable justification of Irish resistance
10 English tyranny an Irresistible Indictment
10 all true men of his nation TO emulate his eX-
ample though their fate should be as sad as
his, 1t is an example indeed well worthy of
emulation by all who love freedom more tnan
life, The poet says:
Hard is his fate on whom the public gaze
Is fixed for ever 70 detract or praise
The secret enemy, whose hleepe,s eye
Stands sentnel, aCcuser judge, and spy;
The foe, the fool, the Jealous, and tie vain
The envons, who hut Breathe in others pain.
Behold tie hosts, deghting 70 depravc
Who track the steps OF glory 10 the grave;
Watch every iuut that during genius owes,
Enlf the RTdOr which its birth estlws,
DistOr the truth, accumulate the lie,
And pile the lyfamid OF calumny-
These are his portion.
But in spite Of all, the reputation of those
who have brayely striyen, who have nobly
suffered for freedom, will grow purer and
brighter like the precious metals in the fur
mace,
But we must pass on, Thepreseut demands
our attention. The British government de-
mands the surrender Of one whom it hates
of one for whose blood 10 thirsts lie
has worked brayely and faithfully
for the dollverance of his native !
land and therefore in the eyes of its
opprls'ors he deserves death Upon the sole,
unsupported evidence Of q traitorOus, coward
ly periuror, England has the aulucity to de-
lnnul the delivery tO dputh az ma ,,,hn hos