The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-03-05
THE IRISH PATRIOT.
Appropriate Observances OF the Birth
OF Robert Emmett Last Evening
Mr.. Peasants Address.

The one hundred and eighth anniver-
sary of the birth of Ireland's martyred
patriot, Robert Emmett, was appropriate
ly COMMUNICATED at Turner hall last ev-
ening There was large audience pres
ent. The meeting was presided over by
President Cary, of the local branch OF the
Irish National league. and the exercises
opened with an instrumental selection,
followed by a recitation of "Erir's Flag,
ami banjo duet by Messrs. Cahal and
Bender. Miss Cavanaugh then read Ems
NETS last speech, and after more music
the speaker of the evening,
ADAIR PLEAsANTs, ESQ,
was introduced by President Cary.
The speaker commenced by referring to
the speech Of Robert Emmett, read by
Miss Cavanaugh, and his own misfof-
tune, AS he termed it, in having to adj
dress an audience who had just listened
to such beautiful and poetic specimen
of eloaueuce. He then briefly referred to
the main events of Emmett's life, the
spirit of protest against tyranny and OPP
preston. which pervaded the world at
the time of his birth, which doubtless had
its effect on his nature; his early sympa-
thy with the Irish cause, his expulsion
from the Dublin university for that reA>
son: his preparation for general Irish
revolution, his rash attempt to capture
Dublin castle, his failure, his apprehen~
sion and trial for high treason, condem'
nation and finally his public execution.
Mr. Peasants then showed that in one
sense Emmutt's life was complete fail
IRE, but considered in the light of the
signs of The times, which are now so plain
and significant, it could not he doubted
that his soul was marching on. He then
went iato II general discussion of the
Irish question, reviewing the long cata,
lbAIf VI Nlbu8S W ulNil IiCldul Iuu SUI
fered at the hands of England. He had
no patience with that class of people who
would not look into the merits
of the Irish question, because Of
the dynamite and other un~
justiiable methods occasionally resorted
to By the Irish in their contest with II
greatly superior power. As well might
the southern Shareholders have sought to
Justify slavery because the negroes in
their speration were goaded OCCASION
ally to revolt. While he could not find
it IN his heart to greatly condemn it, he
deplored it nevertheless. and thought it
upwise policy for the Irish people The
surest way to gain the triumph of their
cause was by such discreet and mOder-
ate course as would enlist on their be
half the sympathies and support of the
civilized world and build up in England
public sentiment that would compel the
needed reforms. Such a sentiment was
now rapidly growing and would at no
distant day bring about the legislation
suited 20 the case.
Returning to Emmett, the speaker, for
the special benefit of the ladies and girls
in the audience. spoke of the pathetic in.
cldcnt in his life connected with Miss
Curran, his betrothed wife; his refusal to
leave the country without last interview
with her, going to her against the advice
and entreatics of his friends and thereby
meeting his capture and death. Irish
men would never grow Indifferent to his
memory, but would always keep warm
place in their hearts for so true and gal
liant man. The speaker closed by
again assuring his audience of his own
warm sympathy for the Irish cause, his
firm faith in its ultimate triumph and his
readiness at all times to say and do what
he could to help it forward
Mr.. Peasants WAS warmly applauded
at the close OF his speech, and was inter,
rupted several times during the course of
his remarks By outbursts of enthusiasm.
A piano solo By Mr.. Simmons, song
by Mr. Canal violin solo by G. c.
Knell, Jr., and song by Aid, J. ".
Cavanaugh completed the excellent pro,
gram. The Irish comedy, Paddy Miles
Boy, which was to have been given by
amateur talent, did not take place, the
reasons for which are best known TO the
league and the friends of the irish cause