The Irish standard., 1889-03-02

Robert Emmett was fashioned by na-
ture to be a great man. He possessed all
the qualities that furnish forth STIR
ring orator, with intellect to guide Gull
ture, sympathetic feelings to sway the
finer chords of his heart, enthusiasm to
stir up the noblest passions, energy to
labor, and determination capable of
moulding incessant action, or COM
manding or directing the movements
of Others in revolutionary struggle.
at the age of 16 he entered Trinity Col.
lage, and by his rare endowments and
the nobility of his nature, soon gained
the respect and love of his fellow stu
dents and a reputation which is still
cherished as a holy tradition within
those old walls.
During the stormy period Of 1898
young Emmett had drawn upon himself
the malignant vigilance Of the govern.
ment, as we'll, no doubt, by his family
connections as his democratic reputa-
tion in college; which led to his and
others being examined by Lord Clare
then Vice Chancellor of the University
ON the charge of spreading the doc
trines of the United Irish Society with
in it's sacred walls. In the report of the
secret committee of the Irish House of
Lords, this extension Of the couspiricy
to the college is termed "a desperate
project of the same faction to corrupt
the youth of the country by introduce
ing their organized system Of treason
into the university.'' For these rea-
sons it was found prudent that he
should reside abroad during the sus-
pension of the habeas corpus act. He
fled to the continent, and after some
time proceeded to Paris with the inten-
ton of meeting some of the escaped
chiefs of the preceding insurrectlon.
With them he held consultation, and
their scheme Of another revolution was
set on foot. Napoleon favored the pro.
ject, and Emmett was assigned the di-
rectorship of the fresh attempt for the
liberties Of the poor Old land. He re.
turned tc Dublin on the restoration of
the habeas corpus act, but for pruden-
tial motives, and the more efectually
to further his objects, lived in privacy
at Harold's Cross, a village some two
miles from the city on the road to the
Dublin mountains. Here he held his
meetings with the men who still had
hope IN the cause. Here, from the gol-
Gen fountain of his eloquence, he pour
ed into them new life and vigor, and
with the force of his impetuous spirit,
stirred the slumbering Gre in their
souls. He sent agents TO various parts
of the country, while he superintended
the preparations in the city, himself,
which was to light the entire country
anew. During the first four months
Of his labor nothing transpired to
thwart the growth of the conspiracy, or
endanger them in their preparations.
All his fortune Of e2,500 he sacrificed
to his enthusiasm in the national cause.
His amiabilltY and force of character
won all who met him.
The principles which Emmett held
were exactly the same as those held by
Wolfe Tone. Like Tone, too, his en-
ergy was inexhaustib!y great; and be-
lieye, ''says Savage" that no man who
reads the life OF Emmett will fail to be |
struck with the irrepressib!e vigor wi b !
which he carried on his preparations;
now planning, now experimenting his
various depots and the manufacturing
Of weapons. In one of these places he
slept on a mattress on the floor, that he
might be always present to oversee
what was going on, to animate the
workmen, or to meet any emergency
chat might arise to demand his pres
ence and example,
On the 23d Of July, 1903, the project
ed rising took place, but, alas, the issue
is too we'll known to need rec0unting
here. 1t is the man we have to look at.
After the discontinue of the insur.
gents Emmett escaped to the noun
tains, where he was met by several
leaders in the conspiracy to discuss and
determine future plans of operations.
But the dream of the enthusiast was
dissolved. BE could not believe the rel
teration of such sweeping promises of
aid as left him in the position he was.
He argued that, as the government did
not know their real state, it was best
20 remain still and give the authorities
. false notion of security, in order that
hey (the revolutionists) might improve
IN future opertunjty. ''Be cautious,
,
:.