The Voice

The speech below was given by a man named Thomas Meagher on October 22, 1848, after being sentenced to death by hanging, beheading, and dismemberment for high treason against England.  Meagher was a popular Irish confederate, joined with many others in the struggle to free impoverished, starving Ireland from the haphazard rule of the English.  I think this speech is a prime illustration of what real patriotism is, and conveys an attitude that, if this country continues much farther down its current path, may be necessary on the side of conservatism once again.

“To the efforts I have made, in a just and noble cause, I ascribe no vain importance, nor do I claim for those efforts any high reward.  But it so happens, and it will ever happen so, that they who have tried to serve their country, no matter how weak the efforts may have been, are sure to receive the thanks and blessings of its people.  I am here to regret nothing I have already done, to retract nothing I have already said.  I am here to crave, with no lying lip, the life I consecrate to the liberty of my country … To lift this island up — to make her a benefactor to humanity instead of being the meanest beggar in the world — to restore to her her native powers and her ancient constitution, this has been my ambition, and this ambition has been my crime.  Judged by the law of England I know this crime entails the penalty of death; but the history of Ireland explains this crime, and justifies it … I hope to be able with a pure heart and perfect composure to appear before a higher tribunal — a tribunal where a Judge of infinite goodness, as well as of justice, will preside, and where, my Lords, many — many of the judgments of this court will be reversed.”

pg. 179, The Great Shame by Thomas Keneally