The Irish standard., 1889-03-02

MIN LA
highest of the few" who combined
in 1.-THE greatest degree pure moral
worth with intellectual power" Robert
Emmett. After his expulsion from col
lege, Emmet travelled considerably on
the continent, his brother having been
already expatriated for patriotic senti
ments. lie joined his brother in Paris,
and was taken into the confidence OF
the Irish exiles living there, who we're
in direct communication with Bona
parts and Ta!leyrand. A speedy rup.
ture between France and England was
looked forward to, and, accordingly
the exi!es were not surprised at the
declaration of war between the two
countries which was officially announc-
ed in May, 1903. In anticipation of
this, and q consequent invasion OF Ire
land, Emmett returned to Ireland the
October previous in order to re- estab-
Ijsh the Old organization of the United
Irishmen. The exiles in France, with
the consent of Napoleon, also III apticl-
patton of being able to help the cause
of their country, formed themselves in.
to legion, under command Of Wolfe
Tones aid de-camp, Mcoheehy, while
Emmet's brother, Thomas Adds, and
Arthur O'Connor, remained in Paris as
the ambassadors Of their countrymen.
Napoleon encouraged the Irish leaders
very earnestly, and even suggested un-
der what coiors and motto they should
fight on their native soil. EVERYTHING
appeared in favor Of the patriots, and
Emmett seemed confident that at least
a majority OF the counties of Ireland
would reyo]t, and if the French troops
could have been landed in time. the
plot would probably have been success
full. Considerable contributions OF
money, besides his own fortune, en-
abled him to purchase pixies with which
to arm The people. In the month Of
March, when England had decided to
renew war with France, but before the
officially promulgated declaration, the
preparations Of the Irish leaders We're
pushed forward with great energy.
The idea was to seize the castle, and
that the disafected city of Dublin
would favor and support the revols-
tionists, which it no doubt would if the
plan was successful. 1t WAS reasona-
bly, expected that once the castle Of Dub
lin bad fallen nineteen counties out of
the thirty two would rise in revolt.
These sanguine prospects of success
might we'll have deceived an older head
than Emmett. IT the blow could have
been withheld until August the cause
might have been successful, as there
WAS every expectation Of the French in
vading England, when ireland drained
of regular troops, the people would
have nc one to fight but the militia and
volunteers. But this was fated not to
be. Various depots of powder and fire.
arms were established in different parts
of the city, and July 2Sd was fixed upon
to seize the castle and arsena!s. Oa
the evening of that day the revolution
lists were assembled, and after deliver
ing an animated harangne Emmet di
rected the distribution Of pixies among
them. The band marched cheering in
to the principal streets, and imm ediate-
ly swelled into tremendous and furi-
Gus mob. Meeting the carriage of
Chief Justice kilwardon, who was
passing at the time, the people sur
rounded it and he was Immediately
killed The crowd, however, hesitated
to follow their gallant leader to the cas-
tie, and was dispersed very quickly py
a small body of soldiers. Emmett then
escaped into the Wicklow mountains.
After the failure of his first attempt, he
counselled moderation among his fol-
lowers, and set about to prepare for a
future effort, hoping soon to be able to
renew the struggle. He remained in
ireland for a while, and might have
evaded the government pursuit, but a
romantic love which he bore for the
daughter of Curran inducd him to re-
turn to Dublin in order to see her. He
was very soon discovered and arrested.
He was tried before Lord Norbury and
conducted his own defence, and the im-
mortal speech he then made is known
to every schoolboy. But defence was
Of no avail, and he was condemned and
sentenced to death. On the Goth of
September following he was executed
Oh the same spot where the Chief JUS
tlce was killed.
Thus perished Em1net at the early
age of twenty-three. than whom no
more ardent lover of Ireland ever lived.
And we'll may his countrymen hold in
yeneration the anniversary of his birth.
Who shall say that Emmett lived and
died in vain ? It is true the attempt at