Norwich bulletin., 1920-03-08

In memory of Robert Emmet, Irish patriot and champion of the cause of Irish freedom, well attended mass meeting was held in Foresters' hall on Sunday afternoon under the aus pices of the George Washington branch of the Friends of Irish Free dom. Senator William c. Fox, of New London and Judge John H. Barnes of this city were the speakers of the afternoon and in eloquent addresses endeavored to show that the spirit that caused Emmet to sacrifice every thing in the fight for Ireland's free dom is still in the hearts of all true sons of Erin. Both speakers predicted that the time is near at hand when Emmet's epitaph will be written. for as the noted Irish patriot said When Ireland takes her place among the nations of the earth, then, and not till then, shall my epitaph be- writ ten"
 James J. Finnegan presided at the meeting and introduced the speakers of the afternoon. Mayor J. J. Des- mond who was to speak at the meet ing was unable to be present The, meeting opened with the singing of America, following which MT. Finne- gan introduced Judge Barnes.
 Mir. Barnes opened his remarks by saying that many people wondered why he was to be a speaker, as MT. Finnegan had said he was not of the Irish race, but he wished to state that he took a very great interest in Irish affairs as his grandmother's name was Katherine Ryan. This remark was greeted with applause. We revere the nane of George Washington, said MT. Barnes. because he fought for Liberty and won. If he had failed he would have been hung by the English the same as Emmet. Washington said cannot tell a lie, but any child in | our city today can tell lie-when he sees one. When Washington mar | ried the wealthiest woman in the ] country he showed he was no slouch. 1 When he received word that he was to be chosen leader of the Continental army he straightway went and asked Martha if he should accept the po- sition. Womanlike she said yes, and | he then borrowed from her the money | to finance the revolution. the money | later being paid back to him by con- gress.
 Robert Emnaet was man of this type, man who gave his heart and l soul to the cause of freedom and l justice. He was born in IT'S and his father was a physician to the Lord
 Lieutenant of Ireland. It is no doubt | through his fathers connection with
 the Lord Lieutenant that young En- met came to know the condition of l Ireland. He absorbed these things he l had heard ad they grew upon him ! After being five years in Trinity col i lege he left that institution because of
 q political investigation that was be- ! ing made at that time. He then l travelled in Europe and studied the forms of governn2ent He talked with Bonaparte and was given to un- derstand that France wss to declare
 war on Efglard in 1903. With this as-
 surance he went back to Ireland and started the revolution which woefuI- " failed beca1lse some of those whe
 rad sworn alIegiarce deserted him
 He went to Sarah Curran, the woman he loved, and begged her to go tc
 America with him but she refused
 Then he was captured. tried and hung 1 No cause ever had 8 nobler defend
 CT. No country ever had a noblel
 champion. He did not die in vain, fol
 his spirit is still in the hearts o1 l those whose forebears come from Ire
 land. The English thought they
 buried the idea with Emmet, but the,
 did not and never will.
 If the League of Nations with al
 reservations is adopted Irelant should get her freedom if these othe l nations, such as Armenia Czecho- | Slovakia and Poland are to be mad . self governing. We hear much abou
 the religious side of the question