The Irish standard., 1900-03-03
ROBERT EMMET'S ANNIVERSARY.

the birth OF Robert Emmett, the young
Irish patriot who was barbarously
hanged and bcheadcd in Thomas street,
Dublin, in 1903, for attempting to free
his native land from British domination.
Though he failed in carrying his plans
into execution his memory is honored
in every part OF the world by his coun-
trymcn, who recognize him as one OF
the purcst and most disintcrestcd revo-
lutionists that ever appeared on the
tragic stage of human liberty. Others
have died for Ireland, some OF them
even greater than Emmett, but none
have been SO warmly loved nor SO pas
sionatcly lamcntcd by the Irish race
He unselfshly devoted his entire for
tune OF $4,000 in preparation for the
overthrow of British rule in ireland, and
while young men OF his age were ambi-
tious for office and position under the
alien government that kept their coun-
try in scrvitudc, he was plotting the de-
struction of that nhuman government
and spending his days and nights i'll de-
vising schemes to release his beloved
country from its deadly grasp. Some
cold-headcd calculators there are who
pronounce Emmett visionary cnthusi-
ast who should have had better discre
ton than to attack the castle and other
Notifications in Dublin; but no one has
yet questioned the patriotism OF the
young martyr. The enemies OF his
country have admitted that il his plans
had maturcd he could have probably
succeeded in capturing the British
strongholds. But none Of his plans
we're carried out, for those who prom
iscd to help left him to his fate. Instead
OF having hundreds OF men to seize the
castle and military dcpots on the event
ful night Of the attack, only eighty men
put i'll an appearance. He expected
linctccn counties 10 rise in insurrcction,
but only one county responded with aid
at the critical moment.
Readers OF the Irish Standard arc so
familiar with the pathetic story OF En-
met that it is unnecessary to dwell at
any length on his brief but glorious
career. He could have escaped arrest
by the British blood-hounds had it not
been for his attachment to Sarah Cur
ran. 1t was while trying to secure an
interview with her that he was arrested
by Major SIR, of infamous memory,
who had previously effected the capture
OF Lord Edward Fitzgerald. His cap
tor did not know who his prisoner was
until he was brought to the castle.
where he was identified by DR.. Elring
ton, gentleman OF Trinity College,
who subsequently became the Protest
ant bishop OF Ferns.
Everyone knows the immortal speech
Of Emmett from the dock when asked
what he had to say why sentence OF
death should not be passed upon him.
Two versions oi that remarkable ad
dress have been preserved, but either Of
them shows he was man OF great clo-
qucncc.
1t is impossible to calculate what the
effect. OF that speech has been on the
minds OF the Irish people since the day
it was uttered before Lord Norbury,
who WINGED under its vehement delivery
He was frequently interrupted by that
brutal functionary who rlghtlully
earned the sobriquct OF the hanging
Judge" With flashing eyes the young
prisoner addressed Norbury and his col
leagues on the bench as follows: "My
lords, you arc impatient for the sacri-
flee. The blood which you seek is not
congealed by the artificial tcrrors which
surround your victim-it circulatcs
warmly and unruffled through the
channels which God created for noble
purposes but which you are now bent
to destroy for purposes so grievous that
they cry to heaven. Be yet patient! l
have but a few more words to say-1
am going to my cold and silent grave
my lamp of life is nearly extinguished-
my race is run-the grave opens to re-
ceive me and I sink into its bosom. l
have but one request to make at my
departure from this world, it is-the
charity of its silence. Let no man write