The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-06-26
LORD EDWARD I'ITZGERALD, SOL
DlEN-LDADlaN or OK.
HIS MEDICAL ATTENDANTS DIARY.
DIR. JOHN ARMSTRONG GARNETI
AT HIS DEATHBED.
The PATRIOTS DYING PRAYER.
"DEAR IRELAND. 1 DIE FOR YOr. Ny
COUNTRY WILL BE FREE"


OF the many notable names to be met
with in the pages of Irish history there
is one which for all times must exercise
an irresistible fascination upon the
minds of Irishmen says writer in the
Dublin Freeman's Journal. 1t is that of
Lord Edward Fitzgerald, the ninety
ninth anniversary of whose tragic death
is now at hand. In Sir Charles A. Cam
eron's History of the Royal College of
Surgeons in Ireland" may be read an in
teresting account of the last painful days
of the distinguished patriot. 1t is con-
tanned in diary of DR.. John Armstrong
Garnett, who was president of the Col
lege Of Surgeons In 1910, and who attend
ed Lord Edward Fitzgerald while he lay
wounded to death in Newgate About
half-past three o'clock on the afternoon
of June End, Dr. Garnett says he was in
troduced to Lord Edward Fitzgerald,
His countenance showed a great degree
of mildness, mixed with that kind of ex-
preston that accompanies pain. His
first Interview with his patient lasted on
ly few minutes, and then he betook
himself to the room adjoining that of
Lord Edward. An intimation was given
him that an execution was to take place
that evening in the front of the prison,
and all the preparations were made with
in earshot of both doctor and patient.
1.-The noise and the words of those with
out (writes DR.. GarnetD, which were
heard distinctly enough to convey an idea
of what was going forward, evidently
agitated Lord e. The word croppy' was
frequently repeated, and D all the
croppies' and 4 wish all the croppies
were hanged and EXPLANATIONS to that
effect were frequently uttered On look
ing out at the window l saw the kind of
expression on the countenance of the
yeomen that were attending that showed
they were listening to an address from
the criminal. and could hear sergeant
leaning on his halbert, repeat after him
that he died bad soldier Almost I'M
mediately sudden crash made by the
falling of the machine on which the cri-
minal stood and the expression of coun-
tenance of those in attendance convinced
me that he was launched into eternity"
Just then, DR.. Garnett says. he was
called by the man in attendance on Lord
Edward Fitzgerald, who was in a state
of excessive agitation and suffering pain
fully from his wounds. by degrees,
however, writes his physician, these
symptoms subsided. The noise at the
front of the prison van increased, and the
words, Cut him down, cut him down,
were distinctly heard. Soon after l
heard the words. Don't touch him.
'D--n you, don't touch him. and a
shot was fired. All this evidently agita-
ted Lord Edward and he Immediately
cried out, God look down upon those
that suffer: God preserve me, and have
mercy on me and those that act with
me-"
Two hours later, about a quarter to
seven O'Clock, DR.. Garnett describes Lord
Edward as becoming extremely restless
and insisting on permission to walk
about. II demonstrated with him (says
the doctor) on the impropriety of such
an attempt. and warned him OF the i'll
to u
follow. To this he answered that he did
not wish to live-that he was happy in
the persuasion that he was dying for his
country. When urged the danger of
his agitating himself he answered that it
was cruel in me to resist his dying when
he chose it, that he would go to heaven,
that God would receive him for having
contributed to the freedom of his count
ry, that he glored in dying for his count
ry, in rescuing it from tyrants; that he
had nothing to lament but his wife and
children but that his country some time
or other would take care of them. He
knew (he said) he would not live to be
a. witness of the freedom he had contr-
buted to, but that he would die happy as
he would die in the cause of his country.
He called me tyrant for not permitting
him to die, and cried out, Dear Ireland,
l die for you; my country, you will be
free Then there followed a plroxysm
of agitation that lasted for several hours
with cxhausting effect, upon the wound
cd nobleman, despite the efforts of his
attendants to allay his excited condition.
During the night. though he slept but Ill
tie, he remained tranquil. At intervals
during the morning his mind wandered
and at eight O'clock when his wounds
were being dressed his breathing became
more and more difficult, and his strength
was evidently sinking rapidly" I'm
this kind Of state" relates Dr. Garnett
che continued till about quarter after
ten o'clock. when Lord Glare, accom-
panied by Lady Louisa Connolly and