The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-05
ROBERT EMMET's BIRTHDAY
It's Observance by Two Large Gather.
ings of Patriotic Natives of Ireland.
Eulogies in Memory of the Martyr and
Words of Commentator for the Noble
Cause for Which fIe Fought.

the day with exercises at Masonic Hall.
There was large attendance and great enthusi-
asm. Mayor Denny presided. and addresses
were delivered by Judge D. w. Howe and
Henry n. Spann, of this city, and Judge j. d.
Hebron, of Washington, Ind. The addresses
were devoted scarcely so much to eulogy Of
Emmett as to the present condition of Ireland
and the possibilities of her regaining her liber-
ties Emmett, however. was referred to as the
martyr whose career had ever been the guiding
star and inspiration to those who have battled
and now battle for Ireland's liberties.
The audience, which was large
as to occupy most of the
available standing room in the aisies, was quite
enthusiastic and frequently applauded the
speakers. Especially was this the with
Mr.. Spanns address, which decidedly vehe-
ment In tone and denunciatory of all things
English.
The hall was appropriately decorated Ban
ners bearing the names of the counties of Ire
land were suspended from the walls, and upon
the stage swung two large flags of the Emerald
Isle The young ladies' and young gentlemen in
the audience wore. in many instances. badges OF
the occasion in the way of green hats and green
neckties.
Mayor Denny presided and in brief address
at the opening of the meeting congratulated the
COMMITTEES on arrangement on securing so large
audience. Referring to Robert Emmett, ha
said that the latter's prediction concerning hin
self had come true-that his memory remained
green. He said that almost at the same time
Emmett battling for freedom. the in
FAINT colonies of this land were strug-
Cling for the same liberties. It was
natural therefore. that there should be bond
of sympa thy between Ireland and America. He
predicted that Ireland would yet be free. If
one Parnell and Gladstone did not bring it
about, another Gladstone and ParneH would
arise to accomplish it.
) Hon. j. d. Heffron next introduced. He
said he was not there so mush TO make speech
as to testify his loyalty TO the of Ireland,
and celebrate the birth and honor the memory
of Robert Emmett. which he loved because En-
met loved liberty and hated tyranny. He was
there to denounce the tyranny which
DESTROYED Emmet's young life. There revsr-
Derated from the trumpet of fame the sound of
no nober name. He had sacrificed all-wealth,
life, station-on the altar of liberty There
never was more fitting shrine for freedom to
do honor to patriotism. It not surprising
that Emmett should have offered up
not a race of people in the world that loved
their country more than the Irish They
loved Ireland all the more because of her suffer
ing and sorrows. To America, the speaker said,
he gave his first love, and to her he owed his
first allegiance. but the second place in his
cart was occupied by that green isle, which.
intended by nature for the habita-
ton OF happy, prosperous people, had
b en- ruthlessly wasted by the hand of tyranny.
For 600 years its people had contended for their
rights. Notwithstanding the oppression that
had been practieed upon her. Ireland still
".
land and Ireland. Now it was Great Britain and
Ireland. The spirit Of Robert Bruce was dead,
but the flag of Emmett still lived. He described
the suffering of the Irish people even when the
island was rich with produce. Thousands of her
people were driven for refuge to other countries.
1t was no wonder that the dagger and dynamite
were called into use, for to protest openly
against the oppression to
thrown into felons cell. The British govern
ment continued to rob the people OF their
products, but allowed them voice in their
own government. He said that the same thing
which had been accomplished in this country by
the revolution might yet be repeated in tue case
of Ireland Ireland's hope of emancipation
as earnest now as hundred years ago. She
mad mad registered ID an oath in heaven
she was counted among the nations of the earth,
and the speaker believed that oath would be
fulfilled. Yet the freedom would never come
with violence. When it came 1t would come in
honorable way. respecting the rights of ALL
Let the friends of Ireland be hopefu and perse-
vere and they would vet see the last vestiee of
tyranny removed from that unhappy land.
Mr.. Charles Foster sang kathleen Mavour-
neen" In such manner as to call forth an en-
Judge d. W. Howe, of the Superior Court
was then introduced by the chairman. He said
that he and his young friend. Henry Span, who
was to follow him. did not wish to palm them
selves off as Irshmen-they were both Dutch
men. ION an occasion like the present." he
said, 1--WE could not think of Emmet's birth with
out thinking of his DEATH and could not
think of his death without thinking of the cause
of his death" But Emmett had died not in
vain. for his name would be the
watchword OF all Irlshmen who loved liberty.
To deny any class of citizens their liberty in
England to-day would be to bring another
revolution England protected the liberties OF
all of her subjects save those of Ireland. To
her she denied liberty. Irelands history had a
pa rallel only In that OF Poland There were
lessons to be learned from Englauds rule of
Ireland. 1t was that she could never reconcile
the Irish people to her rule The only peace
that ireland had had was such had been
brought about at the end of the bayonet. 1t
would be unwise, however, to encourage an ap-
peal by Ireland to arms, as it would only serve
as an excuse for England to rivet
Ireland. On one occasion before the late war
Frederick Douglass was talking to a little band
of followers, and told them he believed the
cause of the slaves was hopeless. for there was
no way TO help themselves. But old colored
woman spoke up and SAID. Fired.
God had not forgotten Ireland. and He would
raise up friends for her where she would least
expect them. Gladstone stood now like Richard
was delivering blows that caused all England to
culver. Then Ireland had friends in America.
Millions of people here sympathized
n nos give her nr dirscs support. '1 Sus
would furnish their moral support and moral
sentiment was q tremendous force. Moral sem
timent condemned Napoleon and caused his
downfall But what ireland needed was friends
in the British Parliament. II she had all the
votes of Ireland and Scotland she would not
have enough to redress her wrongs She must
find votes in England, and the
way of her deliverable was through the English
people. She would not find them among the no.
bility but among the men who soiled in the
mines. and on the soil of rich dukes and earls.
The right of suffrage in England was rapidly
spreading TO all classes, and the ballot al
ways educator the working classes of England
would not be long in learning that England
was expressing Ireland, and by their
votes they would right the great wrong
The speaker hoped to the day when there
would be no English king or House of Lords,
no Irish king or House of Lords. no Scottish
king or House of Lords; but, instead great
public OF three states, each with its own egisla-
ture and right to govern it's own internal affairs
Then would Emmets epitaph be inscribed in
characters that would never fade Home rule
first, after a while a republic
After a song, Killarney by Mrs. Andrew |
Smith, who was compelled to respond TO an en-
core, Mr.. Maurice Donnally read Emmets Ia |
nous trial speech. Henry Span. the last |