The Washington herald., 1911-03-06

A multitude of loyal sons and
daughters of Erin paid tribute to
the memory of Ireland's most rev.
'erenced hero and patriot, Robert
Enmet, in conmemoration of the
133d anniversary of his birth, last
night in the National Theater, un-
der auspices of the United Irish
Societies of Washington.
1t was one of the greatest cele-
brations ever held in honor of the
man who died on the scaffold for
liberty's sake, who was hanged,
drawn, and quartered because he de-
fed tyranny and sought to lead his
bleeding country to independence.
JOIN IN DEMONSTRATION.
In song and story, men and women in
all walks of life, from Representatives
in Congress to callOus-handed laborers.
Joined in the demonstration. Speeches
telling graphically how Emmett, a mere
lad attempted to gain liberty for Ireland,
assisted by a handful of men who had
struggled for years to that end, were
hurled from the platform and stirred the
assemblage to enthusiasm. PIatntive
Irish melodies brought tears to the eyes
of men and women.
More than 1000 persons decorated with
the green, orange and white colors, en-
blcmatic Of peace between the factions
of the Emerald Isle, oheered and ap-
pIauded and wept. as the name of Emmet
was spoken time and again.
With the closing number on the pro-
gramme the audience, led by an orches-
ira, broke into God Save Ireland and
the auditorium fairly Quivered with the
refrain.
On the platform were the speakers, Rep
resentatives James B. Graham, of Illinois,
and Henry T. Rainey, of Illinois. and
Rev. John T. Coolahan. of Baltimore,
members of the United Irish Societies;
Patrick T. Moran. director OF the An
cient Order of Hibernians. and other
delegates. a delegation composed Of
members of the central body of United
German Societies occupied a box.
No nobler or more ideal patriot ever
lived than Robert Emmet." said Patrick
Moran in the opening address. There are
some who say that this boy martyr has
received too large a share of reverence
and affection. bat in view of his wonder
fuI sacrifice such a thing is impossible.
In every town and hamlet in the United
States patriotic Irishmcn are to-day cele-
braung his birth on Irish soil.
Sees Liberty Ahead.
History tells US that the uprising led
by Emmet failed miserably. but l say
that seeds were sown that will gain Ire
land her independence, and that within
a short period of time. That our beloved
country, so long torn by strife, with her
plains and valleys Redeemed with the
bloc: of countless thousands, will one day
take proud place among the nations, |
feel with my whole soul"
So prolonged was the applause that Mr. !
Moran was delayed in introducing the Rev. |
John Coolahan. Mr.. Coolahan said. in
part
'Grandest of all Irish patriots Robert |
Emmet stands in the love and veneration |
of our people as George Washington !
claims from the American nation. He en- |
deavored to lead from oppression a coun-
try that was more ground beneath the !
heel of tyranny than were the Jews under
the Herods.
Il wonder what Ireland could have
done that God should have allowed her
people to be plundered. her cities sacked. |
and blotted from the earth for so long,
But as other nations have been deIiI-
cred. so will we, and again we can lift |
our heads and go hand in hand through |
the coming centuries eQual among DOW
ers."
Mr.. Coolahan traced the history of Ire
land down from the time when the Danes
n haf coil
We'll tho curse Of Ireland" piIlaged
broadcast.
Ardor Never DImmed.
but, through it all chieftsju5 like Fn,
met met with reverses with ardor never
dtmned and dauntless courage unbroken.
until the grim reaper carried them to a |
just reward, be said, in conclusion.
''I am here 70 honor the patriot who
when the hour OF sacrifice came, mounted
the scaffold and suffered with a smile on
his heroic face" Representative Rairey
said.
"'Emmet was born about the time
when the shot fired at Lexington was
still ringing around the world; when |
farmers were shooting down the trans
gressors of their .oIl from behind fences.
and when the joyful tolIinE of bells in
Philadelphia announced that independ-
encc had been declared from England.
Across the English Channel, in Franco a
strange doctrine OF freedom was being
preached.
Reared under these auspices Emnet
at an early age was imbued with the idea
OF Irish wrongs and oppression, and his
spirit cried out at the Injustice The
towers Of Dublin castle loomed above
his home, and cannon threw a shadow
over the city.
Gained I'm France.
'Tl!s first IDEAS OF what liberty meant
were gained In France, and returning with
his brother to Ireland, he collected an
army and struck a blow for liberty. 1t
was not his fault that it did not sue
coed; he was forced by circumstances TO
commence the fray before he was ready
We see Robert Emmet tried and con-
dsmned by judge and jury; see him