The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-06

without lapse and with determination
the one the death of st. Patrick and
the other, the birth of Robert EN-
met. always wonder why it was
of commemoration. I believe, in the
history OF the world, that the only
death day celebrated is that on which
st. Patrick left Ireland for the Ely
sian fields and the great continent
beyond. I wonder why we picked out
Emmet's day to celebrate above all
the rest. Why, because this is the
day on which We love to think and
feel inspired with the great deeds of
the youth who came into this world
in 1778. 1t is that fact that the ardor.
youth, life and character of that
young man illustrates the aspirations
of the Irish race and the eternal de-
sire for an Irish nation. We. may talk
Of the great deeds of Wolfe TIC ne,
the glowing achievements OF O'Connell
and the many deeds of valor and
bravery of other Irish gentlemen and
patriots, but the one who causes the
heart to beat with quicker pulsation,
Is the youth who gave up his life for
his country and his God. He proved,
by the fact that he was not Roman
Catholic, that Ireland knows no sect
or creed. 1t is a proof that its aspira-
tion is eternal forever.
They tell me that he was a dream
er, visionary. They tell me he was
youth. that he was rash. 1t is such
a crime to DE young. Youth is inn
pulsive to every great movement
Without youth no movement can be
success. Emmett had laid his plans,
he had his stores ready and through
out his land he had thousands of loyal
sons ready to rise at his beckoning
There were more men ready to rise
than the Americans had at Bunker
Hill, that great suffering body of men
under washington at Valley Forge
The only distinction that we can see
between Washington and Emmett is
that the former was gifted by success
He looked forward to the total and
complete freedom of Ireland. He had
his plans laid and was ready for ac-
ton. But twenty-five years of age, he
was mature of mind, When he sailed
out in his suit of green and gold he
found that the hand of treachery had
been in his midst. This has ever been
the story of Ireland. He knew that
by keeping on, it meant death and
destruction, but he pressed forward.
Like Nathan Hale he regretted he
had but one life to give to his coun-
try. He escaped to the mounta ms
but was captured How faithful was
Ann Devlin. the serving girl of the
Emmett family. She watched over her
charge faithfully. Ann Devlin typif ed
the true Irish womanhood. No life. no
history, is complete unless 1t has in,
Guided the women who have given
birth to 1reland's sons So it was with
Sarah Curran, his sweetheart When
pressed to ascertain his whereabouts,
she with that undying. unflinching
Irish spirit refused to commit herself
to reveal his hiding place Poets,
philosophers and orators through the
long ages have spoken of love and
chivalry of man for woman, but no.
where is there such pure and
wholesome love as Emmett held for the
girl whom he must see before he left
Ireland perhaps forever
''His subsequent capture on visiting
his sweetheart, his trial and his exc
cution contains no more touching
story in the annals Of mankind Irish
men need not be told of that great
crime. 1t is and will be imprinted
upon their hearts forever. We know
that he was confined in his cell for
eleven hours and then taken to trial,
where he was condemned to be hang
ed. He asked to see his mother, but
this was denied. When one of the
guards asked him il he desired to see
his mother, he replied, 'Ah, If I only
could Robert you will see her this
day in Paradise was the answer
How does this remind me of the cru
c'f1xion' of our Lord, on the cross,
when he spoke these words to the pen
itent thief, This day thou shalt be
with Me In Paradise If there is
God in Heaven it is certain that Rob-
ert Emmett that day met his mother
at the pearly gates.