The Irish standard., 1889-03-16
CHIcAGO'S CELEBRATION
Of The Anniversary of Robert En-
NETS Birth-A Magnificent
Tribute.
TO THE NOBLE YOUNG PATRIOT,

TO THE NOBLE YOUNG PATRIOT.
He Knew No Political Faith Beyond
lief in Liberty, Love for Ireland,
Hatred Of Her 0ppresaors.
Chicago Citizen: The celebration of
the anniversary of the birth OF Rober
Emmett that took place in this city on
Monday night last, recalls the memory
of one of the noblest and purest patri-
OTIS that ever died for ireland or any
other country. No man in all the long
list Of those who for seven centuries
have gone down into the grave in vain
attempts to win back Ireland's liberty,
is surrounded with a brighter halo of
glory than that which illnmines the
name OF Emmett. There have been
men who died for Ireland, that were
greater revolutlonlsts than he; there
have been those whose valor and Prov
ess put the power of England to the
severest test; men who like Art Mac
Murrough. Hugh O'Nelll and Hugh
O'Donnell routed her generals and
slaughtered her legions; but none Of
them, though crowned with the laurels
of victory, recalls memories so tender
as does he whose only effort ended in
defeat, and whose only triumph was
won by sentiment and not by the sword.
For nearly three centuries before the
time of Emmet, it has to be admitted
that the idea of Irish independence
was, if not absolutely subservient to, at
least greatly mixed up with the idea of
sectarianism O'Neill and O'Donnell
fought for Irelad and their Church, but
Tone and Emmett Tough for Ireland.
Under the guidance and inspiration of
the contemporaries of Emmett, Irish
nationality stands out for the first time
in history absolutely free from the taint
of dynasty or provincialism; therefore
the men of NINETY eight, Emmett, of
course included, IN spite of their de-
feats, and in spite of she fact that their
failure, plunged Ireland into such
long night of gloom that the shadow
still rests upon her, are to be honored
beyond all those who from the remote
age have fought and fell in Ireland's
cause. The Yanquished may be greater
than the victor; and Emmett and Tone
powerless and defeated in the hands of
their captors, were in one sense greater
than O'Neill and O'Donnell at the head
of their couquering armies, for the de-
feated had fought not for province or
clan, but for all ireland and for all
Irishmen irrespective of the stock from
which they were decended, or the altars
at which they bowed.
No wonuer that the Irish should wor-
ship the memory of Emmett, and no
wonder that they should celebrate the
anniversary of his birth with ever in
creasing enthusiasm. just IN proper
tion as. the Irish race becomes broad
minded and educated, just in proportion
will the memory of Emmett be the more
fervently honored. His anniversary
was for the first time publicly celebrat
ed in New York only ten years ago, and
outside of that city, there was not at that
time any great public celebration Of it
in any part of the world. But now it is
celebrated absolutely from one end OF
the earth to the other. The Irish have
ceased to be confined to Ireland; they
have become, in measure, world.folks,
and Emmet's birth day is now celebrat
ed not only in the isle where he suffer.
ed and which he sought to make free,
but in far distant lands beneath the
Southern cross where no Irish voice
was heard when he Gled, and where 10
Irish exile lived to extol his greatness
and to perpetuate the sentiments he
uttered.
Emmet's dying speech is the noblest
utterance of the kind that ever fell
from the lips of mortal man. 1t is a
political Sermon on the Mount. It will
live forever. 1t is more immortal than
the universe. The universe may pass
away, but truth and love can never
die; they must live as long as mans
souls. Emmet's speech is worth a hun
dred pageants. A victor's course may
turn victory into curse both for the
triumphant and the defeated but the
nobleness of the ideas Emmett uttered
their broadness, and their entire free
dom frora the influences of clan, class
or creed, will be felt as long as there is
an Ireland; and millions unborn will be
made purer and better as they read the
dying words of one who surrounded by
every influence which should have
made him take sides with the opp1ess-
or, spurned the teachings of his class
and died for those whom men in bis
position had been taught to hate nd to
despise.
I Emmett was not only a patriot, he
was a nOat His annpch ia a nnam No