Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-07
TRIBUTE TO ERtN'S HERO
Demonstration in Memory of Emmett by An
Gent Order o. Hibernians.
Address by Former Representative J.
F. Finerty-Introducto Remarks
by Representative Fitzgerald.

Columbia Theater was filled last even
ing with an interested audierce to cele-
brate the centennial of the Irish revolu-
ton OF lbs. Representative Fitzgerald Of
Massachusetts, who presided, was intro
ouced as the chairman of the evening by
Mr.. +. L. Moran, president of the Ancient
order OF Hibernians, under whose auspices
the meeting was held. In assuming the
chair Mr.. Fitzgerald said the year '9S has
peculiar charm for the Irish people, and
that the memory tof Robert Emmett will
live as long as the memory of great he
roes Is admired. He briefly sketched the
career Of Emmett and ipredicted that the
agitation for the Independence Of Ireland
would be kept up until Ireland is free.
IN conclusion, hearefeTed to the Maine
uisaster, ana said that on that occasion
there persisted hundreds of men of Irish
plood true to the. flag they died, he said,
ana ne Ventured the prediction that if their
ueath was caused, by evil design and the
call was made by the government hum
dreds of 1rishneni would rush forward to
avenge them.
The orator of die evening was former
Representative John F. Finerty of Chi
cago. Mr.. F1nerty. in his Introductory re-
marks sketched briefly the history of the
various movements which led to the union
OF ireland with England. which, he said
mad been accomplished through infamy I'M
pa oicieu' ne Sdlu tnat, unQer the treaty
or 1851, which ended long series of con-
1l1cts between England and Ireland the
latter was recognized as a nation, but
england broke the treaty and relegated the
irish people to slavery, following this by
enforcing illiteracy through the taking
away of their schools
The Valor of Irishmen.
After paying a glowing tribute to the
valor Of Irshmen, Mr.. Finerty said there is
"A IF
does not concede their bravery. Wherever
the flag Of liberty has foated there Irish
men have fought with glory. Mr.. Finerty
next spoke of Robert Emmet's personal
history, beginning with his expulsion from
TRINITY College because of his patriotism
and concluding with his death on the scat
fold in 1903 He also told of the efforts
made as he said by the English to bride
Ann Devlin to tell where on one occasion
Em1net had secreted himself, but to which
she replied that all the gold of England
could not induce her to betray him.
Mr.. F1nerty next said:
i am always for the prosperity of Amer
ica, out do not believe We ought to enter
into any entangling alliances with any
foreign power, and certainly not with Eng
land. 1t has been said that we have de-
scended from the Anglo-SaXons but l
claim that 100000 of the 10000 600 of
the people of the United States are de-
seconded from the Irish and Germans 1
n.
l believe in arbitrating each question for
itself"
Mr.. Fir erty referred to some of the in
cidents of the civil war, in which, he said,
the only foreign nation which had mani
Tested any int crest in the success of the
Union cluse, and which had sent mes
sage to that effect TO the President of the
United States, was Russia. ...,s.r,
Ready to Take the Field.
Continuing, he said: This great country
is able to take care Of itself and has no
need to so crawling after any other power.
The wings of the American eagle are broad
enough to protect liberty everywhere.
What do We see within our bounds? To-
day there arer10. eco 600 men ready toftake
the fled upon the call of the President,
and, while 1t is true we are not armed
TO the teeth, we. have ne reason to be
afraid of anybody. He believed he said
in every star of the flag and that the
American people can maintain their cause
against all corners.
Mr.. Finerty said when he was a. member
of Congress. thirteen years ago, he urged
the building of more ships, and he was
then called a tail-twistec. Although his
advice was not followed, he had no fears
as to the outcome of any war which this
country might have, no matter what the
nation with which We might have to con-
tend.