Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Guilty or Not Guilty?: Speeches From the Dock, or Protests of Irish Patriotism, Containing, With Introductory Sketches and Biographical Notices, Speeches Delivered After Conviction
Demned to the mist hideous and agonising punishments to which men of their class could be exposed. It was with such terrors staring them in the face that the men whose words are recorded in this little work, delivered their speeches from the dock. It is surely something for us, their countrymen, to boast of, that neither in their bearing nor in their words was there manifested the slightest trace of weakness, the faintest exhibi tion of any feeling which could show that their hearts were ao cessible to the terror which their situation was so well caleu lated to inspire. N O cheek grew pale, no eyes iost their light, their tones were unbroken, and their manner undaiinted as ever, as these men uttered the words we purpose recording. Their language tells Of minds which persecution could not sub due, and for which death itself possessed no sting; and the manner in which it was expressed showed that in their case elevation of sentiment was allied with unconquerable firmness and resolution. Never were lessons so noble more boldly preached. It is in courts of justice after all, de clares a great English authority, that the lessons of morality are best taught; and in Ireland the truthfulness of the as sertion is established. But it is not from the bench or the jury box that the words have fallen in which the cause of morality and justice has been vindicated; venality, passion, and preju dice have but too Often swayed the decisions of both and it is to the dock we must turn when We seek for honor, integrity, and patriotism.
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