The Washington gazette. (Washington, Ga.) 1866-1904, June 01, 1866, Image 1

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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.”