The Life Story of an Old Rebel by John Denvir
page 92 of 281 (32%)
page 92 of 281 (32%)
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convicted and executed.
"There was an instant's hesitation among the prisoners, but William Murphy, who was later sentenced to seven years penal servitude, addressed his comrades, urging them to stand fast together, imitate our example, and die like men, rather than live like dogs, for as such they would be regarded by all true Irishmen if they pleaded 'guilty.' "To a man the whole twenty-two shouted out--'We will never plead guilty!' "And Seymour, baffled and irritated, went away without accomplishing his purpose." Of the men convicted for taking part in the rescue, five--Allen, Larkin, O'Brien, Condon and Maguire--were sentenced to death. Condon was reprieved, really on account of his American citizenship, and Maguire, who was a marine, because the authorities discovered in time that the evidence against him was false. A number of others were sent to penal servitude for various terms. The execution of Allen, Larkin and O'Brien, so far from striking terror, but gave new life to the cause of Irish Freedom, and to-day, over the world, no names in the long roll of those who have suffered and died for Ireland are more honoured than those of the "Manchester Martyrs," while the determination has become all the stronger that, in the words of our National Anthem--founded on Condon's defiant shout in the dock of "God Save Ireland!":-- On the cause must go |
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