The Irish standard., 1914-03-07
MEMORY OF EMMET H0It>, :,
Eloquent Eulogy on IreIand's Martyr Pr
nounced by Rev. Michael O'Brien
Hibernians of Twin Cities Fittingly Celebrate
Birthday of Robert Emmet

Speaking before an enthusiastic au-
dience that taxed the capacity of Hi
bernian Auditorium in st. Paul, Rev.
Michael O'Brien, pastor of st. Thomas
church. Minneapolis, delivered one Of
the most eloquent and inspiring ad-
dresses that has ever been given on
an occasion of this kind in the Twin
Cities. Taking for his subject, the
life of Robert Emmet, Father O'Brien,
from the opening sentence of his ad-
dress, had the minds of his audience
concentrated upon his every word and
his hearers responded to every feeling,
thought and emotion expressed by the
speaker. In addition to the address
the following program was given:
Star Spangled Banner Audience
Mother MacCree Mrs. Geo. Dilly
Music Italian Trio
Recitation Story of Ninety.eight
Susie Clarke
Violin Solo M. McQuade
Recitation, "Fontenoy" T. F. Kelliher
Solo, "Kerry Dance" Mrs. A. M. Conroy
Address Rev. M. O'Brien
"God Save Ireland" Audience
The following is the address in full:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen {:
It is an instinct of human nature to
pay honor to the authors of great
achievements. This is true of every age
and walk of life. 1t particularly true
of those who have fought for liberty
and for fatherland. Generous nations
have not allowed the memories of their
heroes perish. Many a country has
survived for years, many a country
has awakened from what seemed to
be the ashes of its dead past, by cher
ishing the glories of her gallant sons.
National martyrdom, national heroism,
has ever been national Immortality. A
nation cannot bring forth patriots and
die. Greece still lives although CEN
turtles have passed since Marathon was
fought and Thermopylae was held.
The spirits of Pulaski and Kosciusko
remain though Poland lies wrapped in
her shroud at Warsaw. The soul of
Hofer still holds the Tyrol, and Tells
memory tarries on the Matterhorn.
Need I say that if ever a star on the
unstained banner of this country
should fade the glories of Columbia
would live for thousands of years in
the names of Washington and Lincoln.
Coming to the land toward which
the eyes of the world are turned to-
night, Erin of the streams, the names
of patriots rise like a litany on our
lips. And as we unfold the long scroll
there is worship in its character and
grandeur in its dignity. And notwith-
standing all that a so-called National
school system has done to wipe out
from the mind of the Irish youth a
knowledge Of the history of his coun-
try, the warrior figure of Hugh
O'Neill still looms brave and inspiring,
the dying words of Sarsfeld on for
eign battlefield kindle his enthusiasm,
the dazzling splendor of Grattan's
eloquence pleading for her rights and
the laundering periods of O'Connell
demanding their restoration, fall on
ears that are willing to listen and
touch hearts that are ready to hope.
But I am sure you will agree with
me that no name shines out with more
lustre, no memory is more cherished
than the name and the memory OF
him whom we are met to honor, than
the name and the memory of him who
struck the life-chord of his country,
who caught the imagination of brave
and generous and sympathetic people,
the name and the memory of Robert
Emmet.
And it is we'll that it has been so
He won his way into the hearts of the
people and they have never faltered
in their allegiance. No leaders cry
is necessary to rouse the Celt on the
fourth of March. It is for him as red.
lettered and as memorable day as
the 18th of this month which marks
the anniversary of our national
Apostle. True our anniversaries are
,often-too often-sad ones, the ami
versaries of failures, as the over prac.
=tical patriot would be inclined to say
But from the nameless grave of the
Irish martyr comes to US another mes
sage and another legacy:
"He teaches the secret of manhood
the watchword of those who
aspire
That man must follow freedom
though it lead through blood and
fire
That sacrifice 10 the bitter draft
which freemen still must quaH-
N llsssi sS