In the early 1800’s nine Irishmen were arrested and charged with treason against Her Majesty, the Queen. They were sentenced to death.
As the judge is about to pronounce their sentence, he asked if there is anything the accused would like to say. One of the men, Thomas Meager, steps forward and speaks out. “My Lord, this is our first offence. If you will go easy on us this once, we promise to try harder next time. And next time – WE WON’T GET CAUGHT!”
The insulted and infuriated judge sentences them to be hanged by the neck.
When the world cries out in protest, Queen Victoria commutes their sentences to banishment for life into the wilderness of Australia.
In 1874, Queen Victoria is astounded to learn that one of the men, Charles Duffy, is the newly elected Prime Minister of Australia. The same man she banished there twenty-five years ago.
After locating the other eight men she found that every single one of them has taken on a high position of authority and leadership, such as politicians, brigadier generals, governors and attorney generals.
Is it merely a coincidence that all nine of these men have risen to positions of prominence?
Or is it what happens to people who have the courage of their convictions?
I believe the latter.
Is there anything in your life that causes you to feel the passion of these men?
Is there anything that will make you speak to the judge the way Thomas Meager did?
Now I don’t endorse any form of disrespect towards the government; I am speaking of the value of passion.
If there is nothing you are willing to die for, you have little for which to live. He who would lose his life will find it.
As Aesop said, “It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.”
-Martin
