A Voice from the Grave (27 june 1921)

From The Arthur Conan Doyle Encyclopedia

A Voice from the Grave is a letter written by Arthur Conan Doyle published in The Freeman's Journal on 27 june 1921.


A Voice from the Grave

The Freeman's Journal] (27 june 1921, p. 3)

To the Editor of the Freeman's Journal.

Sir, — At a moment when the King's words of peace are resounding through Ireland might I ask you to republish the letter which I received shortly before his heroic death from Major Willie Redmond. Surely that name deserves some consideration in the councils of Ireland. He says, writing on December 16, 1916:—

"There are a great many Irishmen to-day who feel that out of this war we should try to build up a new Ireland. The trouble is that men are so timid in meeting each other halfway. It would be a fine memorial to the men who have died so splendidly if we could, over their graves, build up a bridge between the North and the South. I have been thinking a lot about this lately — no one could help doing so when one finds that the two sections from Ireland are actually side by side, holding the trenches. Had poor Kettle lived he would have given the world a wonderful account of things out here. I saw a good deal of Kettle and we had many talks of the unity we both hoped would come out of this war. I have been an extreme Nationalist all my life, and if others as extreme on the other side will only come half way we shall be able to hit upon a plan to satisfy the Irish sentiment and the Imperial sentiment at one and the same time."

It is now or never. Forgive, forget, and start again or miss the chance and have Ireland for another generation a land where, as Lord Dosart said, "no man or woman can be happy." I pray that you will use your great influence for peace.

Yours faithfully,

ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
Windlesham, Crowborough, Sussex,
June 26.