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Quote#Politics & Power

I want you to shake the hands of every Minister in the Provisional…

Quote byErskine Childers · 1870–1922

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Last Years: Ireland (1919-1922), Robert Erskine's last jail cell words to his son, also named Erskine, in November 1922. His son would become President of Ireland 52 years later. Cited in " The Riddle of Erskine Childers " By Andrew Boyle, Hutchinson, London (1977), pg. 320..

English (original)

I want you to shake the hands of every Minister in the Provisional Government ( Irish Free State )who's responsible for my death. I forgive them and so must you, Erskine. The second will apply if ever you go into Irish politics. You must not speak of my execution in public.

— Erskine Childers

340

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