Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1908-03-03
f applause az he finished

| by Captain Anthony, and the Catalpa
were Martin j. Hogan, Thomas OAR
ragh, James Wilson, Thomas Has
sett, Michael Harrington, Robert
Cranston. They were convicted of
mutiny in her majesty's forces in
| Ireland and after spending months
in English prisons they were sent to
Australia, sixty-three altogether
being transported at that time.
Then POSTMASTER Guilfoile sur
prised Captain Anthony by present.
| ing him with a handsome gold watch
as a gift from the members of the
Sarsfield club. On the dial is the
receivers name George S. Anthony"
On the back a miniature of the Cat
alpa with the years 1S75-1876, on
the inside the inscription, Present
ed by Patrick Sarsfield club on March
2, 1908"
At this point the POSTMASTER read
| letters from three prominent Irish
men who intended to be present but
were unable to do so. The letters
came from Patrick O'Connor of New
Haven, "Catalpa Jim" Reynolds, SON
| in-law; Captain F. Dunn of New
Haven and Patrick Cassidy of Nor
witch. Timothy Luddy was next heard
rendering in a pleasing manner that
stirring song "O'Donnell Aboo."
The Emmett day Grafton ireland a
Nation" was then delivered by John
j. Splain. 1t was one of the best
orations heard in this or any other
city of New England in many, many
moons. John J. Splain is one of the
most gifted speakers of this part or
the country and has a delivery that
is delightful. Such mastery ad-
dress on Irish heroes is seldom heard
and as Robert Lewis, president OF the
! Business Mems association, remarked
at it's conclusion. THE only fault l
have to find with him is that he is
not going to speak about an hour
| longer" Not only has John Splaln a
comprehensive knowledge of the Eng
| lish language; not only does he know
! how to compose almost faultlessly;
| not only are his tones most audible
and his enunciation perfect, but his
voice has some fascinating sound
which always appeals to an audience.
1t is a voice which can ever hold an
audience if the subject is at all inter-
esting, so it is not at all surprising
! that his address on Emmett at such a
representative Irish gathering was
brilliant.
In opening his address Mr. Splain
remarked that the question has been
asked in certain quarters why the an
niversary of Robert Emmett is COM
memorated year after year and why
men whose material interests are all
centered in the arteries of American
civilization come together on each re-
curing anniversary of his birth to
lay tribute of their affection on a
lonely, unmarked grave across the
sea. A full century and more is past,
he said, since Emmett gave up his
young life for it's unattained ambi-
tion and yet his countrymen the
world over keep his memory green In
their hearts and eXalt him as one of
the noblest and purest patriots that
Ireland or the world has ever produc-
ed. The reason, he said, is because
Emmett typified in his life and apothe-
osized in his death the national SEN
timent that vivified Ireland before he
was and that has continued to ami
mate it since his spirit joint the in
Vulnerable throng of those that have
been sacrificed on the affairs of Irish
liberty. Like the star that lights the
way of the lonely mariner across the
ocean wastes, the memory of Emmett
feeds the national flame whose embers
are never wholly eXtinguished in the
| hearts of men that have Irish blood
in their veins. No man has ever yet
been found whose Irish blood was
thin enough to accept the idea of a
| lost Irish nationhood, and If such
| there were nothing more would be
needed to recall his vagrant spirit
and renew his allegiance to true Irish
! ideals than a mere mention of the
name Of Emmett. Nowhere, said the
speaker, does the name of Washing
ton arouse more enthusiasm than in
the true Irish heart; by the man of
/ Irish blood the name of Patrick
Henry is revered like that of Abra-
! ham Lincoln, Paul Jones and John
Barry and Grant and Sherman and
Sheridan are exalted among the
names that stand for all that Is best
in devotion to national freedom; but
not one of these grand and glorious
names quickens the Irish heart so
spontaneously as that of Emmett. 1t
. is like the name of Washington to
the native American, but more inspir-
/ ing; like the names of GaTibaldi and
Victor Emmanuel to the Italian, but
more enthusing; like those of Wal
| lace and Bruce to the Scot. Joan of
Arc to the Frenchman, Butcher to the
| German and st George to the Briton.
| To the christian there Is but one
name under heaven whereby men may
be saved; to the patriotic Celt there
| Is but one name in history whereby
national independence can be secured.
When il is recalled what the name of
Emmett stands for in Irish history.
what II Is powerful to accomplish for
/ the inspiration Of the Irish national
spirit IL may be understood why Am
erican Irishmen and Irish Americans
come together each year to perpetu-
ate his memory and study anew the
| lessons Of his life.
Robert Emmett. in his life and am
bition. stood for what thousands Of
Irishmen stand for to-day; a free and
independent Ireland. with the right
IN unaka her nxvu laws nm a Frnp snfl
and in a free capitol for her own peo-