The Irish standard., 1908-10-24

public of the West. 1t was the time
when leading members of the United
1rishmen' were hanged, imprisoned
and transported for attempting to
overthrow the British government in
Ireland.
Among the victims were Thomas
Adds Emmet, brother of Robert EN-
met who was executed in Dublin in
1903. With other state prisoners En-
met was sent to Fort George, Scotland.
After being there for year or so the
British government offered freedom to
Emmett and his compatriots. provided
they would furnish information as to
the causes that led to the Irish insur-
rection. In consideration of answering
questions proposed by a royal COM
mission. without compromising any
others. the prisoners had the privilege
OF selecting any country to go to out
side of the British islands.
They naturally selected the United
States. country which had recently
won it's independence from Great Brit
ain. after a long and bloody war. The
British government was on the point
Of carrying out it's promise to the state
prisoners when Rufus King, the minis
ter of John Adams to the Court of st.
going to tile United States. on the
ground that 1t would be in violation of
the "alien ard sedition laws.' In con-
sequence of his interference the Irish
state prisoners. were detained at Fort
George for three years longer before
they were released. They finally left
for Holland and embarked for the
United States.
On their arrival in New York they
were received with open arms by Gov.
George Clinton and the city authorities,
who lionized them for being victims of
British oppression. President Jeffer-
son. who had succeeded Adams. mani
tested his pleasure at the coming of
the distinguished exiles and patriots.
The friends Of liberty in New York
shoWered honors upon them. Thomas
Adds Emmet, graduate Of Trinity
College, was induced to practice law
instead Of medicine. and after being
admitted to the bar he was made can
didate for tIorney general of the state
of New York and elected by a large
majority.
On the Federalist ticket for Governor
was Rufus King, who had returned
from England. During the campaign
Emnet attacked him in the press and
excoriated him for his interference in
the case of the Irish political prisoners,
saying that the "alien and sedition
laws" applied only to foreigners resid-
ing in the United States, and not to
those living in European countries.
Rufus King went down in defeat with
the rest Of his party. When he after
wards was a candidate for vice presi-
dent in 1903 against Geo. Clinton, he
obtained only IA votes to 1862: and in
1916 when he ran for president against
James Monroe he was defeated by 1873
electoral votes to "a. Little was heard
after that of Rufus King. j.
The Democrats Of that time went
under the name Of Republicans. and
we read Of Matthew Lyons as the
Irish Republican" It was many
years after before the party Of Jeffer-
son adopted it's present name, the Fed
eralists having first used the name
Democrat" as a term of opprobium.
The Irish naturally followed Emmct
and the other prominent men of their
race. When Jackson was elected pres
ident, the Irish looked upon him as one
of themselves. He had all the Irish
characteristics and frequently ex-
pressed sympathy with the Irish at
home. He was the hero of New Or
ISciAss Ni!VLC Nut' D1ltlSI SuoldIIcu II
crushing defeat at his hands in 1915.
and for his achievement he was loved
and admired by all Irish citizens. III
after years. other presidents of Irish
blood sat in the chair at Washington.
the last of the Democrats being James
Buchanan.
When the Civil War broke out the
Irish rushed to arms in defense Of the
Union and proved their loyalty and
bravery on Southern battleflelds. They
fought as Democrats and were led to
victory or death by Meagher. Mulligan.
Corcoran and others, who were Demo-
Gratis to the core and never changed
their politics for preferment or pro-
motion. After the war but few of the
Irish veterans became Republicans,
and thus it is up to the present day.