Seattle's Irish Community Crowns Robert Emmet—and Calls for Home Rule

In commemoration of the birthday of Robert Emmet, the Irish patriot-martyr, a large crowd filled Ranke's Hall last evening, and the Irish-American Club of Seattle, which was responsible for the gathering, presented a programme entirely fitting to the occasion. The entire hall and particularly the stage was prettily adorned with flowers and vines. On the stage was the committee on reception, consisting of Dr. J. P. Sweeney, president of the club, James Sheehan, B. W. Murray, John Arthur, and M. B. Phelan; also Capt. W. D. O'Toole and others who took part in the evening's entertainment.

The programme led off with "The Star-Spangled Banner" by the band, after which Dr. Sweeney presented the chairman of the evening, Capt. O'Toole, who made a few brief introductory remarks. Miss Kate McIntyre sang "She's Far From the Land"; the band played "The Harp That Once Through Tara's Halls"; and then the speaker of the evening, Frank W. Cushman of the Tacoma bar, delivered his speech on "The Day We Celebrate."

In his introductory remarks he spoke of the beautiful custom of decorating the graves of the martyred dead. "Had I but one flower to bestow," said the speaker, "and was asked to walk forth among the tombs of the earth and lay it on the grave of the best and bravest of the earth, I might hesitate; but had I two blossoms, a spotless lily and a sprig of shamrock, I would go forth without hesitation in the vast fields of the dead and lay the lily on Lincoln's tomb and drop the twig of shamrock in the dust that I had moistened with a tear upon a deserted grave in Ireland where rest the ashes of Robert Emmet."

Further on in his speech the speaker said: "The student of politics of the nineteenth century must know that the home rule issue has come to stay. I lay no flattering unction of prophecy to my soul when I say that as surely as the sun shall rise over yonder mountain will Ireland recover her parliament. Then shall the century-rusted hinges of her parliament house outward swing and Ireland shall have a government of her own.

"Oh, could I conjure into presence here tonight for an instant the ghosts of Ireland's murdered, martyred and immortal dead, I would people this stage with the greatest assembly of the brightest and fairest of the earth that ever gathered together beneath the sun. On this side should stand the gallant and sagacious Geraldine, whose memory enhances more than royal favor the splendor of his race. On this side should stand the gallant Wolfe Tone, his body rent with unnumbered gashes and his hair all dabbled in his blood. Here should stand the aged, grizzled and immortal Grattan as he stood fighting for Ireland's nationality on the last day of his existence. Here should stand O'Connell, whose leonine voice caused all England to shudder. Here should stand pale-faced Parnell, all glorious in his honor, and right here in the center should stand the immortal Emmet. And their shadowy hands should strike the silent strings of Ireland's harp and ring forth music of her praise. If we may not meet them tonight, God willing, we may meet them on that brighter strand, and until then, in the words of Emmet, 'May God save Ireland!'"

The remainder of the programme was as follows: Original poem (adapted to the occasion), written and read by Hugh Farley (Tacoma bar); music, "My Country, 'tis of Thee," band; song, "Kathleen Mavourneen," Mrs. George Parkinson; recitation, "Shamus O'Brien," Thomas C. Mumm; music, "The Minstrel Boy," band; song, "The Girl I Left Behind Me," Charles P. McIntyre; recitation, "The Polish Boy," Miss Kadie B. Martin; music, "Marching Through Georgia," band; recitation, "The Sunburst Flag of Erin," Martin Conway; song, "Come Back to Erin," Miss Lizzie Burke; recitation, "The Star-Spangled Banner," Thomas P. Corbett; music, "The Last Rose of Summer," band; recitation, "Fontenoy," James J. Thornton; music, "Home, Sweet Home," band.