The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1894-05-12
TIE IRISH STANDARD: SATURDAY., NAY n
BIT Err Foe.
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HER BIT Err FO -
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fact. From my earliest youth I have re-
garded the connection between Ireland
and Great Britain as the curse OF the
Irish nation, and felt convinced that
while it lasted this country could never
be free nor happy. Ny mind has been
confirmed in this opinion by the expert
once of every succeeding year and the
conclusions I have drawn from every
fact before my eyes. In consequences l
determined to apply all the powers which
my individual efforts could move in order
to separate the two countries"
He made but one request. He asked
to be shot like soldier. The request
was refused; he was ordered to be hanged
within forty.eight hours. The court
martial had no Jurisdiction, as Tone held
no commission under the King. A writ
of habeas corpus was issued; but when
the sheriff went to the prison to take the
body, Tone was on his pallet dying. 1t
seems that the evening before, while the
soldiers were erecting the gallows before
his window, he cut his throat with pen
knife, inflicting a deep wound. To
surgeon who had closed the wound and
whispered that a movement on the part
Of the patient would prove fatal, Tone
said, making the necessary movement:
Il can yet find words to thank you, sir;
it is the most welcome news you can give
me. What should I wish to live for?"
So persisted Wolfe Tone and with him
ended the Irish rebellion of 1898. /,
PREFERRED DEATH TO LIFE AND SAFETY.
"Good-bye to liberty in Ireland for an
other century if this chance failsr Wolfe
Tone is reported to have said when he
started on the last expedition. His re-
fusal to save his life at almost the last
moment has dash in it of the ancient
Roman spirit; yet 1t is characteristic of
Tones entire career. Like Richard he
might have cried:
have set mylife upon cast,
Ard will stand the hazard of the die.
And this is the man of whom Froude
has said that his patriotism was nothing
more than personal pique-that Pitt
might have bribed him by giving him q
"writershipr' Wolfe Tone had the pride
of Lucifer. He would have gambled
with a god for universe, and would
have paid his losses with an eternity Of
pain. He was still in the flush of youth
and lite had sweets for him; his young
wife, to whom he was devoted, was liv-
ing; and there were two babes. Apropos
his wife there are many tender passages
relating to her in the diaries. One takes
the following extract from the journal
written in France:
Have no selfish motives? Yes, have.
IF I succeed here feel I shall have
strong claims on the gratitude of my
country, and as love her and as I think
I shall be able TO serve her, shall GER
tainly hope for some honorable station
as reward for the sacrifices l have al
ready made and the dangers I have in
Cured and those which am ready to
incur. If it were the case Of any other
person I am sure I should have the same
opinion. I hope my country is my fret
object, at least she is my second. II
there be one before her, as I rather be-
lieve there is, it is my dearest life and
love, the light of my eyes and spirit of
my existence. I wish more than for any
thing on earth to place her in splendid
situation. There lie none so elevated she
would not adorn and that she does not
deserve, and I believe that not I only,
but every one who knows her, will agree
as to that. Truth is truth she is my
first object. But would I sacrifice the
interests of Ireland to her elevation?
No! that would not, and if would she
would desplse me, and if she were to des-
pise me I would go hang myself like
Judas.
The Tourists Paradise.
No state in the Union offers such at