Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1898-10-15

opinion by the experience of every sue
ceeding year, and the conclusions whicl
have drawn from every fact before m
eyes. In consequence l determined t
apply all the powers which my individual
efforts could move in order to separat
the two countries.
That Ireland was not able herself t,
throw off the yoke know. l therefor
sought for aid wherever it was to b,
found. In honorable poverty rejected
offers which, to a man in my circum
stances, might be considered highly adj
vantageous. l remained faithful to VIVA
l thought the cause of my country ant
sought in the French Republic all ally t.
rescue three millions of my countrymen
from
1.-THE President here interrupted the
prisoner, observing that this language
was neither relevant to the charge moi
such as ought to be delivered in public
court. One member said it seemed cal
certain description of people (the United
Irishmen), many of whom might prob.
ably be present; and that, therefore, the
court ought not to suffer it. The Judge
Advocate said he thought that if Mr..
Tone meant this paper to be laid before
his Excellency i'll way of extenuation it
must have quite contrary effect, if any
of the foregoing part was suffered to re-
main.
Tone-I shall urge this topic no fur
ther since it seems disagreeable to the
A., court, but shall proceed to read the few
words which remain.
Here Tone was interrupted by the Pres
ident, who would not allow him to read
the passage, which he considered infam-
matory. In the CORVALLIS Papers, vol
ume ?, page 80, the suppressed passage
is, however, given as follows
81 have labored i'll consequence to Gre
ate people in Ireland by raising three
millions of my countrymen to the rank
of citizens. have labored to abolish the
internal spirit of religious persecution by
uniting the Catholics and Dissenters. To
the former l owe more than ever can be
repaid; the services was so fortunate as
to reuder them they rewarded munif-
Gently. But they did more. When the
public cry was raised against ME, when
the frienas of my youth swarmed off and
left me alone, the Catholics did not desert
me-they had the virtue even to sacrifice
their own interests to a rigid principle of
honor. They refused, though strongly
urged, to disgrace a man who, whatever
his conduct toward the Government
might have been, had faithfully and con-
scientiously discharged his duty toward
them, and in so doing though it was in
my own case, will say they showed an
instance of public virtue and honor of
which l know not whether there exists
another example"
Gen. Loftus-If the remainder of your
address, Mr.. Tone, is of the same COM
plexion with what you have already read,
will you not hesitate, for moment, in
proceeding, since you have learned the
opinion of the Court
Tone-I believe there is nothing in
what remains for me to say which can
give any offence | mean to express my
feelings and gratitude toward the Catho-
lie body, in whose cause was engaged.
Gen. Loftus-That seems to have moth
ing to say to the charge against you, to
which only you are to speak. If you
have anything to offer in defense or
extenuation of that charge the Court will
hear you; but they beg that you will con-
fine yourself to that subject
Tone-I shall then confine myself to
some points relative to my connection
with the French army. Attached to no
party in the French Republic, without
interest, without money, without in
trigue, the openness and integrity of my
views raised me to high and confden-
tial rank i'll its armies. I.obtained the
confidence of the Executive Directory,
the appreciation of my generals, and,
venture to add, the esteem and affection
of my brave comrades. When I review
these circumstances / feel a secret and
internal consolation which no reverse of
fortune, no sentence in the power of this
court to inflict, can ever deprive me of
or weaken in any degree. Under the flag
of the French Republic l originally
engaged, with view to save and liberate
my own country. For that purpose I
have encountered the chances of war
among strangers; for that purpose have
repeatedly braved the terri rs of the ocean,
covered, as knew it to be, with the tri-
umphant fleets of that power which it
was my glory and my duty to oppose. 1
have sacrificed all my views in life;
have courted poverty; l have left
beloved wife, unprotected, and children
whom l adored, fatherless. After such
sacrifices in a cause which have always
conscientiously considered as the cause
of justice and freedom, il is no great
effort at this day to add the sacrifice of
my life.
But l hear it said that this unfortunate
country has been a prey to all sorts of
horrors. l sincerely lament it. 1 beg,
however, it may be remembered that /
have been absent four years from Ireland.
To me these sufferings can never be
attributed. l designed, by fair and open
war to procure the senaration IF the txpo