The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-03-05
ROBERT EMMETI'S MEMORY.
BRILLIANT C0MlIEM ORITITE EX.
ERCISES List NIGHT.

Il. Bradley of This City and Hon. John j.
Delaney of New York.
The Hyperion theater was crowded
last night to it's doors by patriotic irish
men, who had gathered to celebrate the
one hundred and eighteenth anniversa-
ly of the birth of Ireland's S marytr-hero.
Robert Emmett. The celebration was in
the form of an entertainment, with its
principal feature an oration on Emmett
by that gifted speaker, Hon. John j.
Delaney of New York.
The meeting was opened by Michael
]. Dillon, who introduced General L,
q. Bradley as chairman of the meet
ing. General Bradley said:
GENERAL BRADLEY'S ADDRESS.
1t is certainly gratifying to all con-
cerned to see such large and, l am
sure, appreciative audience present. 1t
shows conclusively that the interest of
some of our people at least is thorough
ly enlisted in the observance of this
occasion.
The era of worship has not en-
tirely passed away, though many peo-
pie in this intensely practical age seem
to think so.
The fact is, the memory of noble and
heroic men of other days was never
more intelligently and fittingly observ-
ed than it is today, i. e.. when it is OBJ
served at all. The suggestion contain
ed in this latter remark, regret to say,
is warranted, is true in certain in
stances, one Of which I shall allude to
very definitely presently.
I He WHO reads carefully the history of
Robert Emmet's brief life must be
struck by the intense, all-absorbing
love he bore his country from the time
he first came into public notice, as Il
youth in college, until he died, in the
full vigor of young manhood, sacrifice
to that devotion.
The liberty of his country was his
constant thought Everything else--his
studies, his choice of profession or oc-
cupation, even his love for the maid of
his choice-was made subservient and,
in so far as possible, contributory to
that, In his mind it was the one thing
to be accomplished first, to be planned
for. worked for and advocated to the
exclusion, if need be, of everything
else
The night before the attempted and
fatally unsuccessful revolt of 1903, when
discussing the chances of the morrow
with q comrade, less hopeful of success
than himself, and with whose lady-love
Emn1et was acquainted he said: THE
stagnant veil of inglorious ease is for
those domestic, enamored souls who are
content to pass their life in inactive
worthlessness, and who wish to enjoy
affection without having merited love.
Mine is a higher ambition. ] must
make myself worthy of the woman of
my choice, and the glory which sheds
its lustre on the husband shall reflect
its splendor on the wife. Heaven for
bid that an excusable passion should
thwart the design of my life, or cause
me for an instant to neglect my-coun-
try's good for the purpose of promoting
my own personal advantage.
What earthly possession could equal
the glory of having freed Ireland from
foreign domination, and though failure
might partially obstruct its rays we
can never be deprived of the conscious
ness of having deserved it.
These were not merely sentimental
or idle words, for at the time they were
uttered he was in love with and en-
gagged to be married to Sarah Curran
a daughter of the great advocate, John
Philpot Curran. And yet with his love
reciprocated he was on the eve Of lead
ing an insurrection, the failure of which
would, most likely, cost him his life and
blast hers.
BY many his attempt in behalf of the
freedom of his native land, at that par
ticular time, could not be considered
wise, but certainly all must give him
credit for entire sincerity and unselfish
patriotism.
He was by nature hopeful and buoy
ant, inclined to underrate difficulties
and overrate the loyalty of pretended
friends. Truthful and sincere himself,
he could not understand deceit or be-
lieve in insincerity in others. Stirred
to the depths of his being and heartily
indignant at the wrongs he believed to
be inflicted on his country, he was de-
voted to her cause and spent his time
in planning her deliverance. He enter
ed into the work with unbounded en-
ergy and enthusiasm and with the firm
est faith in ultimate success.
Emmet's oratory was of the impas-
stoned kind. His words We're fervid
and followed swiftly. He spoke evi-
IDENTIFY from deep feeling and entire sin
cerity, though not always with entire
discretion. particularly when risk to
himself was involved.
His Gift of expression choice of Ian
guage and eloquence seem to have heen
remarkable, especially in one SC young
While urging his countrymen to arise
in their might against their oppressors
and by presenting a solid and united
front in the endeavor to throw off the
yoke of foreign domination, he at the
same time counselled moderation and
the exercise of mercy in time of vic
tory.
Ernmet was possessed of true, manly
courage, born of the sincerity of his
belief. In his judgment he was right
therefore he would stand his ground, if
need be, against the world.
People delight to honor true patriot
ism. He who serves his country unset
fishly, devotedly and finally makes the
supreme sacrifice-his Hfe-deserves for
his memory all the honor and respect
that his country can show or that hui
man nature is capable Of
Such patriots were Robert Emmett of
ireland and Nathan Hale of the United
States. (Applause.)
Both were young, brave, enthusiastic
earnest to the core in the cause they re-
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