Speech of
Theobold Wolf Tone
To
His Court-Martial
Saturday, Nov. 10,
1798.
Mr. President and
gentlemen of
the court-martial, I do not mean that you should waste your time in
proving,
according to law, that I have borne arms against the king's government
in Ireland; I admit the fact.
From my tenderest
youth I have considered the union of Ireland with Great-Britain
as the scourge of
the Irish nation. And that the people of this country can have
neither
happiness nor freedom whilst that connection endures. Every day's
experience,
and every fact that arose, convinced me of this truth; and I resolved,
if I
could, to separate the two countries. But as I knew Ireland could not of
herself, throw off the
yoke, I sought for help wherever I could find it.
Content in honorable
poverty, I
have refused offers, which to one in my circumstances, might seem
magnificent.
I remained faithful to the cause of my country, and looked for an ally
in the French Republic, to free three
millions of my
countrymen from
............ Here he
was
interrupted by the President and Judge Advocate, who
observed
that this discourse tended not to justify himself so much as to inflame
the
minds of certain men (United Irishmen) of whom doubtless
numbers were
present.
Tone.– Unconnected with
every party in the
republic, without protector, money or intrigue, the frankness and
integrity of
my views soon raised me to a distinguished rank in the French army. I
enjoyed
the confidence of the government, the approbation of my general, and I
dare
assert it, the esteem of my brave comrades. Reflecting upon these
circumstances, I feel a confidence, of which no reverse of fortune, nor
the
sentence which you are so shortly to pronounce, can rob me. If I
enrolled
myself under the banners of France, it was with the
hope of contributing
to the salvation of my native land. From that same and single motive, I
encountered the dangers of war in a country not my own, and on seas
which I
knew to be covered with the triumphant fleets of a government whom it
was my
glory to resist.
I have courted
poverty; I have
left without a protector a beloved wife; and without a father, children
whom I
adored. To such and to so many sacrifices, in a cause which my
conscience still
tells me was a just one, I have little difficulty now to add that of my
life.
I hear it said that
this
country has been a prey to horrors. I lament it, if it is so. But I
have been
four years absent, and cannot be responsible for individual sufferings.
It was
by a frank and open war that I proposed to separate the countries. It
is
unfortunate, that private vengeance on one side or on the other, should
have
considered itself authorised to mingle its fury in the contest. I
grieve for it
as much as any other, but I am innocent of all these calamities; and to
all
those who know anything of my sentiments or character, justification on
that
head would be very useless. But in vulgar eyes, the merit of the cause
is
judged by its success. WASHINGTON CONQUERED –
KOSKIUSKO FAILED!
After a combat nobly
sustained,
which would have inspired a sentiment of interest in a generous enemy,
to the
eternal shame of those who gave the order, I have been dragged hither
in
chains. I speak not for myself in this. I know my fate right well. But
the tone
of supplication is beneath me. I repeat it again. I admit all that is
alleged
against me, touching the separation of Ireland from Great-Britain.
Words, writings,
actions, I avow them all. I have spoken and I have acted with
reflection and on
principle; and now with a firm heart I await the consequences. The
members who
compose this court, will doubtless do their duty, and I shall
take care
not to be wanting to mine.
.
