Waterbury Democrat., 1902-03-05

Never was the anniversary of the birthday of Robert Emmet that mag nifcent young Irish character, the pa triot and the martyr, more fittingly celebrated than last evening, by the members of the Thomas Francis Meagher club, when 300 persons of Irish birth and descent gathered to- gether in St Patriclz's hall and partici- pated in paying tribute to the memory of the Irish patriot. It was a'repre- sentative gathering of the sons of Ire land and their descendants, men who are prominent in the political, social, business, professional and educational interests of this city.
 It was about 10 o'clock when James B. Madigan assumed his position as toastmaster of the evening. The speakers stand occupied the center of the stage and was draped with the flag of Ireland. The American flag was also conspicuously displayed, as were the portraits of Robert Emmet and Thomas Francis Meagher. Toastmas- ter Madigan, in beginning his remarks, stated that he considered it a fine honor to preside at such q notable gathering. all the more so since he knew that there were many others who could preside more creditably than he
 In introducing John J. Splain as the speaker of the evening the toastmaster said: 'I have the pleasure of introduc- ing to you one of the most noted men In the city, one who has always taken great interest in the Irish cause, who Is well known throughout the state politically and needs no introduction to the people of Waterbury: MT Splain was greeted with q shower of applause as he stepped forward.
 MT Splain opened by quoting an Englishman's opinion that Robert Emmet was one of the most internal rebels that had ever been choked to death by hangman's noose," assur ing this Englishman and his country men that the gathering he addressed and similar ones being held Smul- taneously in ali parts of the world indicated that there were other Irish rebels still unhung. If Ireland or any other land" said NIr Splain, ..has produced q purer patriot than Robert Emmet, one who exemplified more strikingly in his life and in his death the spirit of self-sacrificing devotion to his country's welfare, his name is not recorded ill history and remains as much unwritten i'll the hearts Of men as is the epitaph that Irishmen hope yet to see chiseled on the tomb of Emmett
 The speaker then paid q tribute to the Irish martyr as one who was sin gularly endowed with the qualities that weigh nightly ill the scales of patriotism and heroic endeayor TaI- ented to an unusual degree, imbued with literary and scientific tastes that were cultivated beyond his years. in- flexible of purpose, firm ill the pursuit of his ideals, and withal lofty of character and with a personality that reflected the principles he possessed. Robert Emmet brought to the exaIta- Tlon of his country'S cause all the self, aDnegat1on, all the enthusiasm, all the unlimited essence of self-consecration that are within the powers of human achievement. Robert Emmet himself has passed from off the face of earth. but the sacred dust that sleeps in St Miehan's will be an ever-liying inspir at1on to fire the souls, to thrill the hearts, to nerve the arms of men of every race who stand out against the crucifxion of human liberty upon the cross of national slavery. The name of Robert Emmet. his deeds. his fame. ms glory, are not dead; these can ney CT die.
 ''ln the black silence of the narrow
 tomb
 The clay may rest which wrapped his
 human birth:
 But, all unconquered by that silent
 doom,
 The spirit of his thought shall walk
 the earth
 In glory and in light forever and for
 ever"
 Alluding next to inc last "lsh or Robert Emet that his epitaph should remain unwritten until such time as men could do justice to his character and his motives, MT Splain referred to those present as men who could do justice to this martyr who died that Irish patriotism might live. To them. he said, was committed the honor of guarding the name of Emmet, of cher lsh1ng his memory, of perpetuating his glory, of propagating his princi- pies, of emulating his example To you belongs the proud privilege of perpetuating the spirit of Irish na- tionality, that spirit that has come down to us as it came to Robert Elm met and inspired him to the heroic task of lifting up his fallen nation to the sublime height and glorious ma 5esty of sovereign independence To you, in fine, is committed the duty of guarding the flag of Erin until such time as it shall float. proudly, tri- umphantly and gloriously, above a free and independent Ireland
 'sThe axe, the gibbet and the chain Have done, but done their work in
 vain;
 Our martyrs fall. our heroes bleed, But gallant men again succeed,
 And by the ashes of the dead
 The tears they wept, the blood they
 shed.
 Above our isle we yet shall see
 The green flag wave triumphantly' 2
 The speaker next referred to the claim made iii our day, as it was in The time of Robert Emmet, that Ire land is not fit for self-goverEnent. de- nouncing the claim as the same false cry of the enemies of human freedom that has come like funeral dirge hown through the ages Irishmen have heard it always, and they will continue to hear it until the last lin- gering Saxon is driven from the soil that was blessed by the presence of Robert Emmet. But the spirit of irish nationality has not yielded, and