The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1903-03-14

Diock ana offered up their lives upon
the gallows tree for Ireland's cause
Men who faced the whole British en-
pire in d battle of intellect and, moral
suaslon, when the accursed act OF
union was passed in 1900, which
destroyed's Ireland's right to gQfern
herself. Then those great hearts b lie,
because they could do no more. .f3dt
as L gaze back into the dim vista of
the past on that long lines of heroes
In lreland's gallery of the ninenteenth
century, l can understand the cause of
Emmets popularity today, yesterday,
tomorrow, still growing brighter as
years go by
L firmly believe that his greatness
arose from his unselfish nature, from
ms purity of character as man, with
no desire for fame, position or honor
His only wish, the freedom of Ire
land and the happiness of her peo-
pie
There are few such men found in
either ancient or modern times. Wash
lngton was one, Emmett another Most
men believe that they were born for
power. Few in it's possession use it
well. Washington might have been a
monarch crowned, but he refused the
dladem and when his work. was done
retired to the seclusion of his farm.
Emmet would have followed his exam
pie had he lived and been successful
IN the revolution of 1903. Tom Moore
says of him. He was free from all
trailties and passions of youth. Jus
tee, to Protestants and Catholics
alike, was his motto. He united
all sects and creeds. His only
object was the freedom of their
country. He denounced with all
ElnnDnnpa Of hi no
wrong perpetrated on the Irish Cath
ones, who were compelled to support
the established Church of England in
land where 80 per cent was Catholic
as an outrage which no intelligent lib
erty-loving people should tolerate.
When Robert Emmett was no more,
When he had given up his life for his
opinions, the great O'Connell took up
the fight of emancipation and after
tWenty-siX years the religious liberty
which the Catholics of Ireland had
been fighting for over 400 years was
gained. 1t was the plan of Wolfe, Tone,
Curran, Grattan and especially Emmett.
To win it Emmett gave up his life,
but that life was never forgotten by
Erin's sons. The blood of that great
patriot martyr became sacred to the
poorest exile on all Gods earth. The
y
been Remember Emmett This battle
cry has gone forth to all lands. 1t has
been cherished especially in Ireland
and the struggle for home rule and the
land for the people has never ceased.
1t was this spirit of Emmet's that
reused the sleeping nation in 1S47, when
Young Ireland arose again in sheer
desperation as she beheld her sons and
daughters lying in the bitches from
starvation. 1t was then Thomas Davis,
Mitchell, Cavan and a thousand others
demonstrated that the pen is mightier
than the sword, and that the spirit of
Emmett still lived. 1t was the spirit of
Emmett that moved the exiled race in
1865 to strike another blow for her peo-
pie, who had been expatriated to every
land. And 1 may say tonight, on this
4th of March, it is the spirit of Emmett
that still prevails in the breasts of
those noble heroes who are today strug-
Cling for home rule and the land of the
people. The press announces that the
Irish people must win, the landlords
must go. President Roosevelt is rejoic-
ing that the land question will soon be
settled. He, too, is animated by the
spirit of Emmet for he, too, glories in
the fact that he has some of the old
Milesian blood in his veins. Let us.
therefore. ever keep sacred the vow of
Robert Emmett, his last will and tesla
ment; let us work and hope and pray
that before another generation passes
Ireland will be free and the epitaph of
Robert Emmett be written in letters of
gold and ever cherished by the affec-
tons of a grateful people"
Father Gibbons concluded his speech
by reciting the following original poem,
Il
burst of applause:
Up from Erin's martyred dead
Around our festive board tonight
Hovers a spirit long since fled
That pleads again for Ireland's right,
Robert Emmet."
A century passed since last he stood
On College Green, boy, no more,
And battled men of field and flood
To break the chains that Ireland
wore.
Robert Emmet"
They little thought that youthful flame,
For freedom born in Erin's land,
Would fill the world with hero's name,
Whose glorious deeds will ever stand.
Robert Emmett"
Who voiced the nations battle cry.
When starving peasants rose in might
A professional palmist was in at
And strike d blow for Ireland's right?
Robert Emmett"
Who cheered the crushed and ruined
land,
That rose to arms in ninety eight. 3"
When Irelands sons. a scattered band,
Were left to England's cruel hate?
Robert Emmett"
Who pledged his life his fortune, fame,
To fight and die for men, not creed,
And wrest the land from England S
shame,
And swore her. people must be freed?
Robert Emmett"
Who stood before the world alone,
When Ireland's chains were forged
anew,
And gave his life, patriots throne,
And babe her sons his life renew?
Robert Emmett"
All. who implored from gailows stand,
His name unhonored e'er must be,
Till Er;n's banner DER the land
Shall wave in triumph for the free?
Robert Emmett.
Who called us here from busy life
To tell again a nations wrong.
And speak of war and bloody strife
And cheer the weary exile throng?
Robert Emmett"
So let us love our patroit's name.
Tho far away from banquet hall.
His tomb still waits the note of fame
Which Erin's sons so oft recall.
Robert Emmett"