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TIM WASMVGM GAZETTE.
m a.
THI WASHIN6TON 6AZETTB.
Ttauts —larva Ifelfera jfoyfrr,;« adranos.
i|oUi !. ■ j.m: ! •
HIS ABBWT, IWAE' AHB^EXECOTIOS.
3 \
Os thafcowred dead who hare fallen in
the cay* of Irish lave
£K£ * tSSmEjSsSi
Zpatriot of incorruptible integrity, a man
of unsullied honor, and a martyr «! f «n- j
fli aching heroism, his name will live p long
as the Green Isle he loved so well is V &«h
--ed by the wavßa of the ocean.
Robert Emmet was horn ia Dublis on
the 4th of March, 1118. W» family -**»-
an old and honorable one,, and padowW
with much !■« brothers hav
ing risen to considerable distinction.—
Thomas Addia Emmet, lato of New York
city, was the oldest pf the family, and Ro
bert the youngest. He early gave evidence
of great natural talents, especially excelling
in oratorical acquirements, and tile sound
republican principles were noted even in his
boyhood. At Trinity Collie, which ha
entered at fifteen year* of age, he expressed
himself so freely in favor of democracy,
and denounced so sternly the English, sys
tem of government-abuse in Ireland,
he was soon expelled from that institu
tion.
When the Revolution of 1798 broke out
most of Emsnet’s family became involved
in it, and were finally arrested and .lodged
in prison. Ho therefore became alarmed
for hie own safety and fled to France.
lie spentoearly five years abroad, and
secretly returned in 1803 for the purpose of
organizing an insurrection which should
act in conjunction with a French invading
force which Napoleon hed promised to for
r.uh, and wfeieb, it was fondly hopedj
would achieve the independence of the Irish
He established his head quarters in Dub
lin, and conducted bis enterprise with such
secrecy that the government failed te dis
cover any of his movements or intentions.
By the aid of the society of “United Irish
men”, Information of the intended rising
communicated to nearly every part of the
country; and eight thousand i jyeu had pro
mised to be in Dublin on the next day of
the outbreak. Sneh was the defenceless
state of the English'interests on the island
at that time, that had the promised aid been
given, tile object of the insurrection would
no doubt bSte been obtained. But instead
of that number, only fire hundred men
obeyed tbo summons, and only one hun
dred of these took anv part in the subse
quent operations. Even the most of these
fell out on the march to the point of
attack; and when Emmet reached the
gates of the castlo—which he was to carry
by assault—lie found ho had but twenty
men. Os course, the project was abandon
ed j and as the entire military of the city
had become alarmed, and were marching
upon them from all directions, the little
band dispersed, and each sought his own
safety in flia&«.
Emmet was the leading spirit in this in
surrection. He planned the revolt, drew
up a constitution for au Irish republic, and
was elected General of the Rebel forces.
After the failure, he fled with others, and
remained for some weeks secreted in the
interior. It is highly probable that he
might have escaped from the country had
it not been for an act of great rash user.
He formed a strong attachment to Miss
Curran, a daughter of the great Irish bar
rister of that name, and would not think
of leaving the country without see ing her
once more. To effect this, he left the place
of his concealment and took lodgings near
Dublin in the vicinity of Mr. Curran’s res
idence. While here, awaiting for a final
interview with tht object of his affection,
he was surprised and captured by the gov
ernment-police on the 23th of August,
1808.
On the nineteenth of September, a spec
ial commission was organized for his trial
over which the infamous Lord Noxbury
presided. The numerous proclamations
found in Emmet’s handwriting, the plan of
the Provisional Government bearing his
signature and the evidence of one of his
WffMXGTOV. WILKES COUNTY, FRIMY MORNING, JUNE 1, 1868.
fofljiwsrs wh» had-fumed informer, placed
ample proof in the bauds of the Govern
ment for hie oonvictiou.
go hopeless was his case considered that,
thbugh -Curran, McNally, and another
abk advocate appeared for hhn, to
Jefenco was attempted.
/The examination conwtreneed at 4en
/clock in the morning, and continued
mttbout adjournment until tea in the eve
ning of the same day. If”' wua conducted
with much bitterness on the part of the
'Government; and, as Emmet made no de
ly.io, ho was convicted by the jury, with
but leaving their ajMkfea Ww JjjPW>t,
through his counaetfasikod that tha s*i ;
tehee qfihe Court might bef>oaff>oTie<Tun
tiitbo following day; for it is suppos
ed, that he desired more time to prepare
himself for tho address which he iyk-nded
to deliver on the ocoasion. The request was
refused. The Clerk then addressed the
! prisoner in the usual form, coacjpding wjth
V>e words“ What have yoyi, therefore,
4q 3ay,.why judgment of ’death and execu
tion should not be awarded against you, ac-,
ending (o law ?”
fjjfr, Emmet therefore slopped
stou delivered that memorable address
which has been so widely read and so gen
erally admired.
After .its conclusion, lord hTorbijry pro
nounced tho sentence of death, which was
ordered to take plao* on thw following
day, / P. T ,«r ~s
It was now noavly half-past ten o’clock
and a severe storm was raging without,
BuTstiirtfioussudsof people wire gather
ed about lb» Court House,.waiting in the
driving storm for 00l glimpse of the noblo
iiearted man who bjtd given up hi3 young
life in an effect t> r their ctn&ucipalion
Their tamper was considerably ruffled and
the boldest of thorn spoke ti strong ttems
of the harsh jud&mentof the Commission.
Emmet’s addi/o, which was delivered in
those neareripe floors, atta rfroreaisecv me
general discontent.
There was some uneasiness felt at these
manifestations- snd extra precautions were
taken against violence or rescue. The
guards at tho doors were doubled, and two
companies of infrantry brought from tbo
barracks to assist iu repressing all hostile
demonstrations.
About eleven o’clock, the prisoner, who
was heavily ironed, was placod in a car
riage, in tho midst of a square of soldiery,
and convoyed to jail. Ho was placed in
the cell assigned to condemned prisoners,
and left in solitude, although pen, ink, and
paper were allowed him.
He employed most of his time during
the night in writing to lib brother, Thom
a) Addis Emmet, setting forth tho plan of
thq outbreak and tbo came of its failure.
Haying finished this, he retired, and slept
until after eight o’clock.
About ten o’clock, Leonard McNally, one
of hie counsel, obtained permission, to see
him. He eutered the coll with an open
letter In his hand, and a melancholy ex
pression upon bis countenance.
After an exchange of greetings, Mr. Em
met anxiously inquired if he had heard
anything from his mother, who was then
in delicate health. Mr. McNally said’‘T
know you would like to see her, Robert—
would you not ?” Tho answer was “Oh,
what would I not give to see her 1” “Then,
Robert,” was the reply, “you will see her
to-day—she is in heaven 1” At this sud
den announcement, a deathly pallor over
spread hb countenance, tears r 036 to his
eyes, and he sank into a chair, saying; “It
is better it should be so.” She had been
for some months in feeble health; a»tl
when she received information of heron’s
arrest, gradually failed, and the d*y be
fore bis execution she passed from
earth. After McNally withdrew, the pri
soner was undisturbed until half-past twelve
o’clock, when an officer entered, and in
formed him that it was time to prepare for
execution. The officer found him sitting
quietly at hb table, twiriling in hie fingers
a lock of bright auburn hair, which he con
fessed with a blush was a tress from the
head of one who®- he loved better than
fife. Ho asked' of the officer a delay
of half an hoar, which was granted; and,
at fiis solicitation, Reverend Doc jr Gamble
visited him. Emmet of
the Church ot England, and in death he
sought «|‘ Ikiisith he had
professed, ■ e h
1H- twenty officer
again kriocked at his c<s|i apfiwas bidden
Emmet said qu.M|j—“l ala
ready, Sir. I will detail; ydl ita longer,”
His arms wero then piniqr&lnr !
three officers and several idlers as
ho was taken from his edlm* As ho wen?
down the corridor to the outdoor, he ne
cessarily passed the ceUI of his
They stooiat tho grated
widows; and£*ti#?tbey were,
|tbay were mov*4. to teara. Jp who had
aswocSfted w.th bun loved libn as a brother,
and their tin*! Adieu war@J||ry affecting.
Hispinioned arms would 1 not, enable 'him
to taka their outstretched hands ; so, stop
ping to the door of each, hfw%issed them
through tho bars, and bade them fare
well.
At tho OUtor door, he met-iho jailor, "who
was much attached to hit. The tears
were Stfha’tning from ‘bb ’eyes. Emmet
paused an instant, then, bending forward
iSsed Lb cheek. At this .act of friend
|htp, tho man, who had been for years '.the
attendant of a dungeon, habituated to
scenes of' and hardened against
their operation, fell .tauselesa at his feet.
Pefore hit eyes opened -sgtiTn upon this
World thoaa\pf the youthful sufferer had
closed forever.
The place of execution had been fixed at
the intersection of Tbomawsad Bridgefoot
greets, where an luyuonse crowd- had col
lected. The gallowswvaa a rude and imper-
Cct structure, as the span of life allotted
the young patriot hb conviction
would not about of elabQftje preparations.
A triple line of soldiers v ith,* fixed bayo
-acts stirronndetl the scaffold, and held tbo
excited and .sympathetic ranltitude in
jheck, * - ’%
naced in plain c6vofed|j|gtffi'; ntm) Sraf
f»ur officers and tho officiating clergyman
iSsido, and a strong guard without, was
driven to the place of execution. Thous
ands of people lined the streets, and tear
fjl eyes gazed aftor him from a thousand
windows, At his earnest request, the cur
tains of tho vehicle were raised, and the
young martyr looked out upon the multi
tude, and remarked to Colonel Bond ; “Ev
ery one of these people would die to-mor
row for tho independence of their country.
My blood will not insure the subjugation of
Ireland.”
The melancholy cortege moved slowly
along the streets, followed by strong guard
of infantry and cavalry, who forced back
tho eager crowds who rushed forward
to catch a last glimpse of the youthful pa
triot.
When the mournful prooetsion had near
ly reached the place of execution it passed
a carriage standing by the roadside, on the
lino of march. It contain*!a solitary fe
male, who was in tears. When tho car
riage containing the condemned man pas
sed by, she gave an audible shriek, and,
driving away, was eoon lost in the im
tnenso console of people. It was Sarah
Curran, Emmet’s betrothed. She had been
refused admission to the jail, and took this
method of obtaining a last look on tE» ob
ject of her affection.
The scaffold was rcachdj at a quarter
before two o’clock. It was t rude affair,
formed by laying planks acro-i a number
of empty barrels, which j*e® placed for
this purpose nearly in the middle of the
street. Through thb rude platform rose
two posts, twelve feei high, with a trans
vcrntTbeara, from which dangled tho fetal
rope. The platform was about six feet
from the ground, and the felt about four
feet. i
When Emmet reached the scaffold he
was met by tbo executioner, who assisted
him to ascend the ladder to the platform,
as his pinioned arm3 woqjd not admit of
his doing so unassisted. .__ f
In the immediate vicinity of tha droy
were a few personal friends, and one or
two His coat and
stock were removed by{lbo executioner;
and after shaking hands With a few oftfeers
upon the platform, he turned to the vast
concourse before lum and said: “My
friends, I die in peace, and with sentiments
of nniveral lore and kindness toward
all men,” -
The rope was then adjusted, and he took
hia stand upon the fata! drop, Not mus
cle was seen to move, not a single evidence
of fear or excitement could be detected;
hia face wore a pleasant amile, and his
foice was firm and cheerful. Mr. Curran
(.aid of hia conduct on that occasion t
•There was no-affectation or indifferenoe,but
an%videot'ignorance of fear; and the ful
lest conviction that the cause for which he
died waa one-for which it was a high priv
ilege to perish.”
When tha preparations had been com
pleted, Emmet requested the executioner
to place a handkerchief in bis hand, and
he would drop it as the signal for the exe
cutioner to fill the last dreadful mandate of
the law. The cap waa drawn over bis face,
shutting ont forever tbo light of earth.
The executioner waited a few moments,
and, the signal not being given, he said;
“Are you ready, Mr. Emmet 7"
The reply was, “Not yet."
4 few seconds more elapsed, and he ask
ed ;
Aro you readyt Sir ?” '
“Not yet,” was the reply.
Another pause of some momenta fol
lowed, when the executioner again ask
ed :
“Areyou ready, Sir?"
••Not—" » ■
But, before the brief senteboe was finish
ed, the bolt was drawn, and the young,
generous, and talented patriot, waa .writh
ing in tho agoniea of an ignomiuouc
death,- ~
The cause of Em mot’s apparent reluc
tance to give the signal for tbe*elcsing
event has been a subject of much specula
tion. He seemed very anxiou* for di-lay,
and must have been engaged iu prater;
or, perhaps, be was not without hope that
a reprieve -might eqms,. fithiarfrlandi-form
'ruiSETs rescu®.»*** - ' v *“: .
After the fall, he hung for a moment
motionless, when a stiff breoza springing
up, swayed the body to and fro, the rude
struoture creaking mournfully under the
horrid strain. In a few seconds more
there was a convulsive movements of the
muscles, and life became extinct. Tim
body was then taken down, and placed up
on the platform, the bead severed from-the
body, grasped by the hair, and held up to
the gaze of the assembled thousands, the
executioner crying out :
“This is the head of a traitor —Robert
Emmet I”
The military then disported the assem
blage, and the body was soon after placed
in a rough market-cart, and removed to
the jail. It was there thrown carelessly in
to an open shed in the rear of ths jail
building, with ordera to have it interred in
the prison burying-ground, if not called for
by hia friends immediately.
The remains were kept for three hours;
but as no one called for them, they were in
closed in a rude box and thrown into a
shallow grave, in the midst of paupers and
malefactors.
A few weeks after, a party of- his ac
quaintance having obtained permission,
privately removed the remains, and rein
terrad them In Michan’s churchyard, Dub
in,
In a solitary corner of tbo yard, under
the shadow of the sombre wall, and sur
rounded by withered grass and stunted
shrubs, is the hnmble grave.
Ilia last request, that no man should
write bis epitaph, baa been respected; and
the fiat rough stone, which alone marks the
place of hia last sleep, bears no symbol to
tell the curious visitor who lies below. It
is plain and unlettered, apd not to be in
scribed until other times and other men
can do justice to bis memory; and may
we not nope that ths time is not far dis
tant, wheu the pilgrim who stands beside
this hnmble tomb may read the name of
Robert Emmet on that stone, and while
tears fall upon it at the remembrance of
his eventful life and mournful doom, rejoice
that the country for which his life was gi
js at last free 1 Till then :
“Oh I breatho not his name, let it sleep in the
shade,
Where cold and nnhonored bia relies sre
laid,
Sad, ailent, and dark be the tear* to**- w ®
shed t
As the night-dews that fall on the graea o’sr
his head.”
v ■ ,
VOL. I.—NO. 6.
It ia GiVbh to jxu to -do Good.—
There,are.those who have a gentler and
more founded ministry seemidgly more
limited at least, though in reality with aa
expanßivenesß which may bear ft beyond
many that are deemed the most extensive*
andtthat are tho most conspicuous. She
who carefully gad tenderly oonstraoted the
little boat of bulrushes in whioh the infant
Moses floated safely on the Nile, unknow
ingly but holily contributed her portion
toward tho splendid triumph of larael’e.
emancipation from Egyptian
.Not less holy would have been her laak,
nor less divine her mission, had the ehild'a
destiay beep, only to feed the flocks of
Jethro upon the pastures of Midiao,
From those to whom the physical safety
of the infant human being in its fragility,
the soothing of age in its infirmity, is a
car, to those who fill man’s little separata
world with order, harmony and glad
ness— to those who aro aa the fire
from heaven that was said, in times
old, to descend and consume the sacri
fice on the altar, and who kindle and
inspire all that ia high and holy in human
intellect or energy; through all these,
woman has Lor mission, too, equal with,
though varied from, that of man, and often
full alike of peril and glory; aa s was theirs
who stood by the cross when the disciples
fled, and came to the sepulohre before tire
disciples stirred.
___—iSatrfjg# . -
Tm Most Perfect Beauty.—That is
not the moat perfect beauty which, in
public, would attract the greatest observa
tion, nor even that which the statuary
would admit to be a faultless piece of olay,
kneaded up with blood. But that is true
beauty, whiieh has not only a substance
but a spirit—a beauty that we snuat inti
mately know, justly to appreciate; a beauty
lighted up in conversation, where the mind
shines, as it were, through its casket,'where
Hr thclMwguugo trf tbo poet, *£he eloquent
lUoodwpoke fn her cheeks, aud so.distinctly
wrought, that we might almost lay her
body thought.” An order add a made of
beauty which, the more we know, the
more weaecuse ourselves for not having
before dioovered those thousand graces
which bespeak that boauty whioh never
cloys, poasossing charms as resistless as the
fascinating Egyptian, for whioh Antony
wisely paid the bawble of the world—a
beauty like the rising of bis own Italian
suns, always enchanting, never the same,
Yocthfoe Feeunos.—fn them, every
thing was young ! tho heart unchilled, un
blighted; that fulness and luxuriance of life’#
life which baß in it something of divine,
At that age, when seems as if w# could
never die, bow deathless, how flushed and
mighty sb with tho youngness of a god, are
all that our hearts create! Our own youth ie
like that of the earth itself, when it peopled
the woods and waters with divinities; wheqt
life ran riot, and yet only gave biith to
beauty; all its shades, of poetry—all ite
airs, 'the melodies of Arcadia and Olym
pus all earth itself, even in ite
wildest lairs, anotbei, nay, a happier
heaven, prodigal of the Bame glories, and
hunted by tho same formal The golden
age never leaves the world; it exists still
and shall exist, till love, health, poetry ar.e
no more; but only for the young;
Good Advice. —If the poor-house hae
any terror for you, never buy what you don’t
need. Before you pay three cents for e
jews-harp, see if you can’t mako just as
pleasant a noiso by whistling—for such
nature furnishes the machinery. And be-r
fore you pay seven dollars for a figured
vest, young man, find out whether your
lady-love would not be just aa glad to tee
you iu a plain one that coat half the moa
ey. If she wouldn’t let her crack her own
walnuts and buy her own clothes.
Bad Atmosphere.—A new York m£o,
who had not been out of the city for many
years, fainted away in the pure air ftf tfie
country, fife was only resuscitated by
putting a dead fish on his nose, when he
slowly revived, exclaiming, “That’s good--
it smells like home.”
losing a Hat.—“Where’* your bat
Ned?" “Lost it.” “When?" “Don’t
know; the first bint I had of it, my bead
felt cold.”