CHILDERS’ LAST LETTERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16906, 4 December 1922, Page 7

CHILDERS’ LAST LETTERS.

Declares Passionate Love for England. Meets End “ Like Lying Down After Long Day’s Work.” Sy Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright United Service. (Received December 4, 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, December 3. The Dublin Correspondent of the “ Daily Mail ” says that Childers’ last letters to his wife, written on the night before he expected to be executed, are remarkable human documents. Childers wrote:— “ Will the nation soon understand and reverence what actuates our comrades in the cause? 1 feel that it will. If only I could die knowing that my death may somehow save the lives of others and arrest the policy of executions! “ I hope one day that my good name will be cleared in England. I felt what Mr. Churchill said about my hatred and malice against England. How well we know that that was untrue. What line that I ever wrote or spoke justifies the charge? I die loving England passionately and praying to see that she may change completely towards Ireland.” / A few hours later Childers wrote: “ The execution is postponed. It may be only for a day, when I would far rather it came at once, if it is to come.” In his final letter, written early on the day of his execution, Childers said: “My beloved country, God send you courage, victory and rest, and to all our people, harmony and love. You would be pleased to see how imperturbably normal and tranquil I have been this night, and am. All seems perfectly simple and inevitable like lying down after a long day’s work. ”