The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1890-03-08

~ ASH illStOly udS uO ucuO Vh0o IOASuOs
the Irish heart so pathetically as that OF
Robert Emmett. Irish history teens
with the names OF martyrs and heroes,
but none Of them come home SO closely
to the Irishman's heart as the name OF
Robert Emmett. Born March 4, l778.
il Dublin Of parents reasonably we'll
to-do and ambitieuslv proud Of their
sons natural abilities, young Emmett
had all the opportunitiesand advantages
of the student Of his time. He did not
let the opportunity pass by without tax
ing advantage Of it. Born of Protest
ant parents he was raised and educated
in that faith. His college career was
brilliant in the extreme, and it can we'll
be said that Trinity College Dublin,
which has given many learned men to
the different professions and callings in
life, has yet-to send odt Emmet's equal
as student. He astOnished the pro-
fessors as we'll as the students Of his
class. He was the leading debator IN
the college, and was the idol of his ad-
mlrers within and without the walls Of
that institution Of learning. Robert
Emmett had higher aspirations than
Trinity College could cffer him, 1t was
then that the Society of United IRISH
men was growing in strength and pop
ularity, and with it EmmeC's heart was
ever present. This society had for its
object the deliverance of Ireland from
English yokedom, and large number
of Trinity students were members OF 1t.
But so careful were they TO keep the
matter dense secret, that no reference
was evermade to the society, or its OBJ
jects, bY any OF the members, unless
they were absolutely certain that none
but members were present. They all
knew what the result would be should
the secret leak out They knew it
meant death to the Order, as we'll as it's
members.
The Historical and Debating Societies
of Trinity College afforded Robert En-
met excellent opportunities of showing
his worth as scholar and a politician.
1t was here that his talent for oratorv
showed itself, and many a time the then
promising Young Irishman was congrat
ulated on his wonderful oratorical abil
tiles. Rev. DR.. Mccartney. Vicar of
Belfast, speaking Of Emmet's qualifica-
tions as debater in the Historical So,
ciety said: ''The question was is a
complete freedom Of discussion essen
tial to the we'll being of good and
yirtuous government BY the rules of
the society all allusion to modern poll !
tics was strictly forbidden. He then
proceeded to portray the evil effects OF
the despotism and tyranny Of the gov
eminent Of antiquity, and most elo
quently depicted those Of the govern
ments Of Greece and Rome. He was
replied to by the present Judge Lefroy.
and his argument was rebuttad at con
siderable length. Robert Emmett de.
livered speech IN reply, evidently un-
premeditated, and showed exfraordi-
nary ability in his answer to the objec
uons by his opponent. He said IN con
cluslon, if a government were vicious
enough to put down the freedom Of dis
cusslon it would be the duty OF the peo-
pie to deliberate on the errors Of their
rulers; to consider well the BrOngs they
inflicted. and what the right course
would be Tor their subj jects TO take, and
having done 50, II then would be their
duty ITO draw practical conc clos; ;ons'
Here was . boy of only 20 years discuss
Ing grave subj with ~ much ease:
ssands shuency IS il hs had had MANY ears
Of pulpit trainin
sss ill his and l)eath sofI
B ,l,l - aId n M 81 thus