Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-02
PAY HONOR TO EMMET
PATRIOT EULoGIZED AT THE
COLUMBIA THEATER.
Addresses by Representatives, Songs
and an Grafton in
Gaelic.


to the Irish heart the one hundred and
thlrtieth anniversary of the birth of Rob
ert Emmett was celebrated by the United
Irish Societies last evening at the CO.
lumbia Theater. The house was filled.
and, as at all celebrations where Erin is
the theme the faces of the fair sex were
numerous to do honor to the occasion and
help spread the fire of enthusiasm, which
was kindled when Patrick J. Haltigan,
editor of the National Hibernian. and a
representative OF the A. O. ii. and the
Knights of Columbus, led off with his
tribute to the patriot.
On the stage were the representatives of
the several Irish organizations and a num-
Der of members of Congress. In the
boxes were white-gowned singers of the
Ladies' Auxiliary. A. 0. H.. choir. The
speakers of the evening were. in addition
to Mr.. Haltigan. Senator Flint of Cali
fornia. Representatives Hamill of New
Jersey. Driscoll of New York and O'Con-
nell of Massachusetts, with P. T. Moran.
national director of the A. 0. H.. and
James D. Flynn. president of the McHale
Gaelic School of Washington. Last. but
by no means least, among those who con-
tributed to the glory of the occasion, was
the: wen-trained orchestra. under the
leadership of w. F. Mccarthy. which
played Irish airs Following Mr.. Haiti
gan. whose address pictured the life of
Emmett and closed with a brilliant perora-
ton upon his patriotism came short ad
dress of eulogy from p. T.. Moran. the
chairman of the evening, and the singing
of Moores Farewell by the choir Sen
ator Flint was then presented.
Senator Flint's Address.
Although not an Irishman myself" de-
clared the senator. Il am great admirer
of the Irish race and a worshiper at the
shrine of Emmet's patriotism, which has
given the world an ideal that will have
it's effect for centuries yet to come"
He said that Emmet's plea that the world
might accord him the charity of it's
silence furnished an ideal Of conduct for
all who stand for eternal principle rather
than for immediate success. TO those
congressman" he added. who. yielding
to their love of popularity, act against
their better judgment. the willingness OF
the young patriot to leave his justifica-
ton to posterity should be everlastingly
commended
Predicts an Irish Nation.
Representative Hamill. who followed. re-
ferred to the everlasting and eternal
struggle of the Irish people for the free
dom of their native land Through all
the vicissitudes of Ireland's stormy his
tory" he said, "her sons have given
freely of their blood, their talents and
their treasure in their attempts to realize
the age-old dream of Irish nationality.
All efforts to eradicate that ideal from
the Irish heart have proved and ever
will prove fruitless, though every acre
of Ireland's soil be drenched with her
heroes blood While God reigns and his
Justice lives we may confidently expect to
see Ireland take her place. one day,
proudly among the nations of the EARTH
and the long deferred epitaph of her pa
triot written in marble and brass as it
was long ago written, and will ever sur
yive in the hearts of his countrymen."
LESS emotional and imaginative people
NAV wonder why of all Erfn's patriots
Emmet Is selected for these demonstra,
lions of tenderness and respect" said
Representative Driscoll. the next speaker.
for Emmett was a Protestant, while the
pc ople who organize these meetings
Throughout the country are almost ex-
clLsively Catholic. He was not great
cessful general nor an accomplished
statesman. He was an impractical en-
thusiast His uprising was a miserable
fiasco. and only served to impose new
new rivets in the chains of their bondage.
But" he added, 'he personified the finest
traits of Irish character. stainless moral
ity pure and exalted patriotism ana
that fidelity of life and affection that is
the crowning glory of true martyrdom.
and we love him for the attempt he made
rather than for the accomplishment of
his purpose"
Mr. Flynn's address was in Gaelic. that
Ireland might be represented upon her
festal day with her native tongue. whose
sound. he said. was music to her sons
and should be taught to her children.
During the evening Miss A. j. Glenn
ents sang Kathleen Mavourneen." and
in response to the hearty encore 4 quaint
old Irish folk-song. Mrs. Mabel Mont
gomery Riley. accompanied by Prof H.
A. Wells, played a number of Irish mel
odies on the violin. Miss Lydia Sterling
Fler than recited WHO Fears to Spe ak
of Ninety-eight?" and Miss Nellie E.
Moylan sang MY Wild Irish Rose"