The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-05


formally opened the entertainment
given in commemoration of the birth
of Robert Emmct, the young Irish
martyr, and which also incidentally
took the form of a pro-Boer demon
stration.
The stage was appropriately dec
Grated with two large American flags.
surrounding the harp OF Ireland and a
portrait Of Robert Emmet. The chief
feature of the evening was the address
made on 1.-THE Beers Struggle for
Liberty" by John Dewey, OF New York,
the noted Irish patriot. Mi. Dewey Is
known throughout this country and
Europe as one of the most persistent
advocates Of Irish liberty, and one of
the most earnest and determined work.
ers in the cause.
Born in Ireland. from his earliest
childhood animated and urged on by
sights of British tyranny, his one
thought was love of country and an
tagonism to British rule. In 1861 he
enlisted in the French army with
view to gaining q military knowledge
which he might use for Erin. He
served about one year and a half, be-
ing with the foreign legion in Algiers.
He was actively engaged in the great
Fenian uprising and was sentenced by
the British. government to eleven
years Imprisonment for his share In
1t. He served about seven years Of
this in Portland and other prisons.
after which he was released. He came
to this country, where he has since
been engaged in journalism, being con.
| nected with several Of the large New
| York papers. He has devoted himself
assiduously to his life's work and has
| made a proud name for himself among
Irish patriots.
| CIIAIRMAN'S REMARKS.
Chairman Boland. in opening the
programme, said that the evening was
the occasion of a double celebration.
commemorating the 122d anniversary
of Robert Emmet's birth and being
also an evidence of Irish sympathy for
the Beers in their heroic fight against
| the English. He compared Robert
Emmet with George Washington and
said that the only difference lay in the
| one being a triumphant hero and the
other q defeated martyr.
| Though Emmett is dead" said the
speaker, "he will live forever" In con-
clusion he said that he hoped the gal
liant Beers would continue in their
fight for freedom and sin time would
see their flag float as proudly in the
| breeze as does the glorious Stars and
Stripes"
| Miss Mary Johnson rendered with
spirit and fire several Irish national
airs on the piano, and was followed
with Mrs. Joseph O'Brien, who sang
with magnificent effect "Come Back
to Erin" The song scored a great hit
with the audience, which, by terrific
applause, recalled the singer, and re-
ceived an encore.
Miss Mary Boland recited "Irish
Hearts" with splendid dramatic effect
and, being recalled by the enthusiastic
audience. gave as her encore 1.-THE
Shamrock"
Joseph p. Burns made one of the
hits of the evening with two solos
The first, entitled Let All Obey" was
magnificently executed, as was alsC
the second, Father O'Flynn" which
was in a lighter vein. Mrs. Josephine
c. Walsh's song, who's At Ny Win,
dow" was the next number on thu
programme and was beautifully rem
dered. Mrs. Walsh giving as an encor,
"Pollv."
MIR. DEVOY INTRODUCED.
Chairman Boland at this point in
troduced Mr.. Dewey as one who in per
son Is unknown to the audience, bu
in reputation known to all. Mr.. De
voy, who Is a rugged. strong looking
man, with the face of fighter, CAV
a speech that was full of biting sar
casm, strong effects and magnificen
climaxes, and was received by the au
! dience with the greatest enthusiasm
at it's conclusion thunders of applaus
going up.
Mr.. Dewey opened his speech wit
remarks apropos Of the assemblage be
ing held in honor of Emmet, the ma
who gave up his life for his country
and whose death was stigmatized b
the British government. as exemplifie
in the person of the executioner, wht
, lifting up the bloody head Of the youn
, martyr, exclaimed: Behold the hea
of traitor!" He then passed into
lengthy retrospect of the wrongs an
, injuries inflicted upon the Irish peopl
by their English oppressors. He said
. 1.-The stranger will ask, Why does Ire
I land prolong this helpless struggle
why keep up this fight against over
whelming odds" 1t Is because Enl
lish oppression still weighs heavily O
3 our necks and the CALLING yoke sti
3 frets U.S." He then spoke of the Ems
lish complaint that the Beers restrit
the Uitlanders' religious rights. ~
g 1901" said he, great O'Connell aske
In vain that emancipation be given I'll
Catholics. to which denomination three
quarters Of the Irish belonged, and VIII
\ because of their belief, were restraine
from holding any political office or an
, rank In the army. And 1t was on
I after many years of earnest endeavo
J when at last the Irish soldiers and SCI
geants, the backbone Of the Britis
army, clamored for religious freedom
that they received it.
TRIED TO DIsGRAC ETHEM.
England has always tried to di
7 grace her foes. and Just as at Emmet
, death she branded him traitor. so r.
Gently at the battle of Colenso,at whic
. and where indeed those Irish who We
;, fighting against liberty received Il
i brunt OF the beating. this malignal
disposition was shown. in the accoul
OF the battle sent out by Benson Blu
ley. correspondent OF the Daily Tel
q graph.
THE regiments concerned In tn
battle on the English side were {
v Irish, Scotch and Welsh. and thoui
I. defeated. they fought like lions. Al
therefore when the account Of Il
battle appears the valor of these me
-lA