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event notice
Tuesday May 13, 2014 22:08
by Sharon. - Individual.
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Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6Hi!
A lecture delivered to Dublin republicans by Joe Egan in November 1989 ( who was a member of the RSF Education Department at the time) still makes for interesting reading today for Irish republicans. The subject covered is the death of Wolfe Tone :
"Theobald Wolfe Tone was born on June 20, 1763 - the exact time and date of his death are unknown . Wolfe Tone was sentenced to death on November 10 , 1798 ; on November 11 he was informed by his gaolers that he would be publicly hanged on the following day , Monday , at one o'clock . It is generally accepted that Wolfe Tone died on November 19 , 1798 ; in fact , he could have been murdered at any time during the previous week , and there is no doubt , and none of us should be in any doubt , of his murder by British Crown agents . It is time now , once and for all , to bury the lie that Wolfe Tone took his own life . These false stories were put out at the time not just to cover up the murder but also as black propaganda to denigrate Tone and the Cause he cherished with all his being . The proof of their successes in trying to destroy Wolfe Tone's character is still evident today nearly 200 years later.
Yes , the British establishment was expert at that time at covering up their crimes , even more successful than they are today . Many historians to this day trot out the same British lies , as if they were gospel , that Tone committed suicide ; they quote all sorts of stories to 'back-up' their claims . They use the most abominable argument that especially as Wolfe Tone was of the Protestant faith it would not be repugnant for him to take his own life : I say here and now that this was and is the most objectionable of arguments. It was against everything Tone dedicated and gave his life for , namely, to substitute the common name of Irishman for the religious denominations.
To spread the lie and imply that somehow being a Protestant made it acceptable to commit suicide is to be against all Wolfe Tone stood for. The argument is still going on with new books being written about Tone and praised and published by the present establishment who are as much against what Tone stood for as were the British establishment of the time. Why do the establishment , British and Irish , make such a case for Wolfe Tone's suicide? Because to face the truth might make people today see the light and not just follow Tone's teachings but practice them. It is often quoted also that Tone's son accepted his father's suicide ; even if this were true it is of no consequence as what he thought one way or the other has no bearing on the facts. How did Tone's son know how long his father lay dying? There was no way he could know, no more than anyone else - at no time were any visitors allowed into see Wolfe Tone. His father tried every possible move through the courts to get his son free. His lawyer applied for and was immediately granted a writ of Habeas Corpus by Chief Justice Lord Kilwarden. Major Sandy , in charge of the barracks , was recognised generally as being a man with scant regard for justice or truth. It has been stated as proof of Tone's suicide that a man of Sandy's calibre and his hirelings would'nt do such a botched murder that would take eight days for the victim to die.
How do we know how long Wolfe Tone took to die? It could very well have been eight minutes, not eight days. The only evidence ever produced to support the suicide verdict is an account from a French royalist , a Doctor Lentaigne , of whom little is known.
This same doctor was by his being a royalist first ,and working for the British Army, doubly opposed to all Wolfe Tone would stand for. How anyone with the remotest feeling for justice or truth could accept the word of such a man under the circumstances at the time is an insult to ordinary intelligence. But then as the old cliche says - " where ignorance is bliss it's folly to be wise. " The secrets of a state prison at that period in history are seldom penetrated and even today would be virtually impossible. Abundant proof is available even today if a thorough search was to take place but we who wish to know the truth have only to know the man : he had dedicated himself to his principles and had seen his friends and compatriots , including his brother , hanged , and he would not let them or his country down by taking his own life.
Without knowing the man , even reading his last letters is enough to disprove the abominable lie that he committed suicide. Did he not write to his wife - "My mind is as tranquil this moment as at any period in my life. "
One only has to read his last speech from the dock at his trial to see and understand the character of the man. Just to quote a few lines is enough to convince any fair mind of the impossibility of Wolfe Tone committing suicide ; only the avowed enemies of truth and justice could dare say otherwise -
" Mr. President and gentlemen of the Court Martial : I mean not to give you the trouble of bringing judicial proof to convict me legally to having acted in hostility to the government of his Britannic Majesty in Ireland. I admit the fact from my earliest youth , I have regarded the connection between Ireland and Great Britain as the curse of the Irish nation and felt convinced that , whilst it lasted , this country could never be free nor happy."
Regarding the French , Wolfe Tone said - "Attached to no party in the French Republic , without interest , without money , without intrigue, the openness and integrity of my views raised me to a high and confidential rank in its armies ; under the flag of the French Republic , I originally engaged with a view to save and liberate my own country. For that purpose , I have encountered the chances of war , amongst strangers .For that purpose , I have repeatedly braved the terrors of the ocean , covered as I knew it to be , with the triumphant fleets of that power , which it was my glory and my duty to oppose. I have sacrificed all my views in life ; I have courted poverty , I have left a beloved wife , unprotected children I adored , fatherless. After such sacrifices , in a cause which I have always conscientiously considered as the cause of justice and freedom - it is no great effort , at this day , to add the sacrifice of my life. To the eternal disgrace of those who gave the order , I was brought hither in irons , like a felon...."
During his last speech from the dock , Wolfe Tone stated - "I mention this for the sake of others , for me I am indifferent to it. I am aware of the fate which awaits me , and scorn equally the tone of complaint and that of supplication.
Whatever be the sentence of this court , I am prepared for it . Its members will surely discharge their duty ; I shall take care not to be wanting in mine." Tone's use of the word 'eternal' and 'his duty' are obvious references to God and posterity and he would have been fully aware and very careful about their use. Any study of the man and any understanding of him as a person to those who wish to see the truth can only draw the one conclusion . To quote just a line or two from his last letters to his wife : "...be assured I will die as I have lived , and that you will have no cause to blush for me. Adieu , dearest love , keep your courage as I have kept mine. My mind is as tranquil this moment as at any period of my life."
Are these the words of a man contemplating suicide? No! Wolfe Tone knew that suicide would have damned his reputation irreparably and consequently the cause he dedicated his life to. There is only one conclusion to be drawn knowing the man - murder by a person or persons unknown."
There is no doubt, in my opinion, but that the British would be capable of such an act.
Thanks for reading,
Sharon.
RSF Wolfe Tone Commemoration, Sunday 22nd June 2014.
Hi!
Cumann na mBan veteran, Peig King, from Dublin, will deliver the main oration at this Bodenstown event on the 22nd June next.
All genuine republicans welcome!
Thanks,
Sharon.
Cumann na mBan veteran, Peig King, who will deliver the main oration in Bodenstown on June 22nd 2014.
Hello,
I will hopefully be traveling to Ireland this coming June and was wondering if there is a date for the upcoming Wolfe Tone commemoration. My grandfather, Jack Tone, used to attend the event but I was always too young to travel with him. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Joy Cowden
Hi Joy!
Thanks for taking the time to inquire - appreciated.
I'll have the date for the 2015 Wolfe Tone commemoration for you in the next day or two, and will post same on this thread. And whether it coincides with your time in Ireland or not, I hope you enjoy your visit anyway!
Thanks,
Sharon.
Hi Sharon,
Thank you for your speedy reply!!
Regards,
Joy
......it seems, at this stage, that that Wolfe Tone commemoration will be held on either Sunday 14th or Sunday 21st June 2015.
Hi again, Joy!
Sorry I can't be more precise just now, but the committee that organises this event each year has not yet agreed on a definite date but, as stated, it now looks like it will be held on either the 14th or the 21st June next year.
When I get more information, Joy, I'll post it on this thread.
Thanks again,
Sharon.
No caption required!