Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-22
FAMOUS TRIALS
TRIAL oF RosERr sMMEr.

Robert Emmet is a name that thrills every heart at it's mention as well as every lover of personal or national liberty. Ireland was in feyered state college. Together with other young patriots, he belonged to historical so- ciety, where they led the political feel ing toward the popular cause, and Emmet was expelled from the univer- sity for his connection with the alSsO- ciation of United Irishmen
 The rising Emmet planned was abortive, but it was, nevertheless sin- cere Heading what he thought was. a band of ardent, patriotic followers, an attempt was made to seize the arsenal and Dublin castle At the first yoliey fired by the troops ordered to disperse the mob it gave way and Emmet's followers fled in all directions
 Emmet escaped and was in hiding among the Wicklow mountains A safe opportunity offered itself for him to reach the continent, but his love for Sarah Curran was too strong to allow him to go without a farewell visit He know the danger of an appearance in Dublin. but he took the Chance
 Emmet was arrested the moment he reached the city and was placed on trial for his life The indictment that was made against him consisted of eighteen charges. This indictment was presented on Wednesday, Sept. 1<, 1908, before a special commission held at the Session house, Green street. The court then adjourned until Monday. Sept 1e. when the prisoner was brought before the bar The prosecuting at torney general and the jury, Follow made the opening speech to the at torney- general and the jury Follow ing his speech. which was long. Jos eph Rawlins. an attorney. was sworn and examined by the solicitor general This witness was followed by many others, and when it was asked wheth- CT Emmet desired to present any witt nesses in his defense he replied that. under the circumstances, 1t would be useless
 At the conclusion of the examina- lions Lord Norbury charged the jury, who, without quitting the box, re- turned a verdict of guilty. Emmet crown whether he had anything to say why judgment should not be pass ed upon him. he arose and made that memorable vindication which is so familiar and one of the finest examples of its kind in our language:
 My lords:. What have to say why sentence of death should not be pIo- nounced on me according to law? I have nothing to say that can alter your predetermination, or that it would be- come me to say, with any view to the mitigation of that sentence which you D,ust ohida
 T wish my memory and name may animate those who survive me, while look down with complacency on 'the ment which upholds it's domination by blasphemy of the Most High.
 My lords. you are impatient for the sacrifice. The blood which you seek is not congealed by the artificial tefrors which surround your victims; it circu- 1o onte InA tx<rv rrrf, the channels which God created for noble purposes, but which you are bent to destroy for purposes so grieyous that they cry to heaveni am going to my silent grave; my lamp of life Is nearly extinguished; my race is run; the grave opens to receive me and sink into its bosom
 T have but one request to ask at my departure from this world; 1t Is the charity of it's silence Let no mar write my epitaph, for, as no one know ing my motives dares now yindicate asperse them Let them and me re- pose in obscurity and peace, and my tomb remain uninscribed until other times and other men can do justice te my character. When my country shal take her place among the nations oi the earth-then, and not till then-tieI my epitaph be written"
 Ennmets trial was hasty one Though few were there to plead fol him, MacCarthy says: No adyocac, of either men or angels could by an. possibility have stirred the hearts o those fin authority for one who re. belied against the union,"
 Hmmet was sentenced to death or Sept. 1e. 1so3, and the following morn. ing he was hanged and, according t. the brutal custems of the time, wal then behee ded, For more than a cen tury Robert Bfnmet's grave has no only awaited its epitaph, but also iti discovery, for the body has been re. moved to some spot by personal friends who have never revealed its final rest. ing place.