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THOMAS RUSSELL.

When Emmet was dead, and the plan to which he devoted his fortune, his talents, and his life, had sunk in failure, the cause of Irish independence appeared finally lost, and the cry, more than once repeated in after times, that “now, indeed, the last bolt of Irish disaffection has been sped, and that there would never again be an Irish rebellion,” rung loudly from the exulting enemies of Ireland.  The hearts of the people seemed broken by the weight of the misfortunes and calamities that overwhelmed them.  The hopes which had brightened their stormy path, and enabled them to endure the oppression to which they were subjected by expectations of a glorious change, flickered no longer amidst the darkness.  The efforts of the insurgents were everywhere drowned in blood; the hideous memories of ’98 were brought up anew; full of bitter thoughts, exasperated, humiliated, and despondent, the people brooded over their wretched fate, and sullenly submitted to the reign of terror which was inaugurated amongst them.  Little had the Irish patriots to look forward to in that dark hour of suffering and disappointment.  A nightmare of blood and violence weighed down the spirits of the people; a stupor appeared to have fallen on the nation; and though time might be trusted to arouse them from the trance, they had suffered another loss, not so easily repaired, in the death and dispersion of their leaders.  Where now should they find the Moses to lead them from the land of captivity?  Tone, Fitzgerald, Emmet, Bond, M’Cracken, the Sheareses—­all were dead.  M’Nevin, Neilson, and O’Connor were in exile.  Heavily and relentlessly the arm of vengeance had fallen on them one by one; but the list was not even then completed.  There was yet another victim to fall before the altar of liberty, and the sacrifice which commenced with Orr did not conclude until Thomas Russell had perished on the gallows of Downpatrick.

The importance of the part which Thomas Russell fills in the history of the United Irishmen, the worth of his character, the purity and nobility of his sentiments, and the spirit of uncompromising patriotism displayed in his last address, would render unpardonable the omission of his name from such a work as this.  “I mean to make my trial,” said Russell, “and the last of my life, if it is to close now, as serviceable to the cause of liberty as I can,” and he kept his word.  To-day, we try in some slight way to requite that fidelity which endured unto death, by rescuing Thomas Russell’s name from oblivion, and recalling his services and virtues to the recollection of his countrymen.