The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-03
Sons of Erin Celebrate Irish
Hero's Birthday.
ENGlAND'S POLICY SCORED
Representative Rhea's Denunciation of
British Honor and Heroism - Mr.
O'Donoghue's Eulogy-Boer War De-
clared highlands Latest Tyranny.

y
On March ., 171S. there was born in the
city OF Dublin a babe who was destined to
play an important part in the history OF
the Emerald Isle.
He was of good family, and when a
young man was sent to the university in
the city of his birth. While there he
absorbed the teachings of the long line of
of his native country.
He was expelled from the university for
patriotic utterances. and later emulated
the examples set by the lives Of the men
who had given up their all for the better
ment of an oppressed people.
The Idol of His People.
To this man, who expiated upon a scat
fold. the offence of loving his country,
there has gone out the undivided SYM
pathy and admiration of true Irishmen. At
the time of his execution the Irish nation
held him in the greatest esteem
In the following decades this esteem
has grown into veneration. and the MEM
of twenty-five, gave his life for his coun-
try is still paramount in the hearts of his
loyal countrymer.
Oppressed at home, many thousands
have emigrated to other lands. but wher
ever beats true Irish heart March 2 is
observed as only a people. big hearted,
loyal and true as steel to the last COM
Of thn;r oh,
serve It,
To the Irishman the name of Robert
Emmett is what the name of George Wash
ington is to the American. 1t stands for
the highest, truest, and best: for a man
whose first thought was for his country.
and as an illustration of the highest and
most unselfsh patriotism.
Last Nights Observance.
Last night in nearly every city OF this
country there were meetings where the
name of the great patriot was eulogized
in the strongest terms. In this city the
immense auditorium of the Columbia
Theatre was thronged to its utmost ca
pacity With enthusiastic sons and daugh-
tiers of Erin, gathered to do homage to
the memory Of the man whose very name
awahens in their hearts thoughts of home,
for in this way every Irishman still thinks
Of the Emerald lsle, its oppressed people,
and the many brave men who have suf-
fered martyrdom in its cause.
seated on the stage were men from all
walks of life. There were representa-
tives OF the church; men whose names are
frequently met with in the marts of trade;
men whose voices resound in the halls of
Congress 1t was cosmopolitan gather
ing. but one thought, one ambition
stirred them all. They were there to make
addresses. But to make addresses upon
q subject that unloosens the most hesi-
tating tongue; that admits of the great
est heights of rhetoric; that inspires even
the most impassioned orator.
Volumes of Applause.
There were sentiments expressed by
men whose opinions are not lightly
weighed by the public that brought vol
leys of applause from the immense multi
tude. There was no quibbling done.
Everything was straight from the shoul-
der. in true Irish spirit. Denunciations
Of the manner in which the Irish people
are made to suffer by the wrongs of their
oppressors were uttered and cheered to
the echo.
Bursts Of applause that drowned the
following words of the speaker greeted
Representative John S. Rhea. of Ken
lucky, when, in an impassioned voice, he
exclaimed:
Il bear the English people no i'll will.
but / hate the tyranny and oppression of
her ruling classes. Her honor is the
shame OF Christian civilization. her deeds
and heroism are written in the blood of
weaker states and weaker peoples"
Still other statements were made by men
in position to know the feeling of the
people, which demonstrated beyond a
doubt that the desire of the still I'M
daunted Irishman is to do mis- share to-
ward making it possible TO write the
epitaph Of Robert Emmett, who said. when
on the scaflord:
When NY country takes her place
among the nations of the world, then, and
not till then, let my epitaph be written"
Resolutions Adopted.
At the conclusion Of the meeting a set
OF resolutions were adopted by rising
vote that stated this determination in no
measured terms. The resolutions also
strongly denounced the part played by
England in the Boer war, and provided
that the President of the United States
be requested TO see that the laws of
neutrality be not violated in the future
as they have been in the past. The adop-
ton Of the resolutions was accomplished
TO the accompaniment OF cheers and pro-
longed applause.
II was after 8 O'Clock before Mr. d. F.
Finucane, chairman of the committee On
arrangements, called the meeting to or
der. In a few brief words he introduced
Mr.. NJ. F. o'Donoghue, president of the
Emmett Club of Washington, as the pre-
siding oiIieer. Mr.. o'Donoghue delivered
the opening address.
Mr.. 0'Doroghue's Speech.
I'VE meet in the Capital of the great
Republic of the United States to renew
our fidelity to the principles of Robert
Emmett on this, the 124th anniversary Of
his birth
"The principles Of Emmett were the prin-
ciples of the founders of this Republic
the principles of Samuel Adams. of Ben
jamin Franklin, of Daniel Carroll, and OF
George Washington. They were for the
of America rom England and
the creation of an American Republic.
He was for the separation of ireland from
England and the adjustment of an
Irish Republic.
Moreover, the aid given by Irishmea
70 the struggling Americans during the
wars Of the Revolution and of 1872. should
ever give them the foremost place in
American sympathy. The first general
officer killed in battle; the first officer of
appointed; the first commodore
the first victor to whom
the British flag was struck at sea, and
the first officer who surprised fort on
land were IrIshmen.
General Washington" continued the
speaker, ever bore the most grateful