Taffy Long's speech from the dock

Taffy Long's speech from the dock
"ONLY a few years back I lay drenched in water and soaked in blood in the trenches of Flanders. Those were the immortal days when the Empire fought to make the world safe for democracy. We left for the front with the politicians' words still ringing in our ears. In the midst of showers of shells we groped our way to death, believing in our sacrifices. For four years we were living - not living - waiting - knowing fear. We all marched together, went on short rations together, and wondered if the sun would again shine through the troubled sky, and the last post would be sounded for suffering humanity. What has our generation known except slaughter, strife and more slaughter? I lay a whole night on the battlefield before they picked me up. And a lovely night it was, too. Everything turned through my head as I lay there - guns, blood, arms, distorted faces, blinded eyes, grinding teeth. Warm corpses all about you - your pals. The whole of that next year I spent in a military hospital, half-paralysed. I could show you the shrapnel wounds I carry - they still respond to wet weather. Yes - we were the heroes then. But what did we find when we got back from the hell of war? I have listened to fine words about the dignity of the law. What do the mine owners care about our homes and the dignity of our lives? If they thought they could grind an ounce of gold from the Union Jack they would put it through the mills of their mines." The Judge-President's speech before sentencing Long to death "AS to the dying declaration, there is some element of doubt as to the identity of Taffy Long. But it is to me a clear declaration that Taffy Long is the person responsible for Marais's death - there is no suggestion that anyone else can be Taffy Long. Marais' statement describes him as 'small'. True, I would not describe him as a small man. But 'small' and 'tall' are relative terms. As to the question of his hair, there has been an attempt to change its colour. The government pathologist has found the presence of crystals of permanganate of potash. This is incriminating. Then we have to consider the character of the accused. It is quite clear that he is a man of courage - his bearing shows it. And it is clear that he was in such a condition of stern excitement as to be capable of doing the deed with which he is charged. The accused has been defended pertinaciously and ably. But we find ourselves compelled to find him guilty."

"ONLY a few years back I lay drenched in water and soaked in blood in the trenches of Flanders. Those were the immortal days when the Empire fought to make the world safe for democracy. We left for the front with the politicians' words still ringing in our ears. In the midst of showers of shells we groped our way to death, believing in our sacrifices. For four years we were living - not living - waiting - knowing fear.

We all marched together, went on short rations together, and wondered if the sun would again shine through the troubled sky, and the last post would be sounded for suffering humanity. What has our generation known except slaughter, strife and more slaughter? I lay a whole night on the battlefield before they picked me up. And a lovely night it was, too. Everything turned through my head as I lay there - guns, blood, arms, distorted faces, blinded eyes, grinding teeth. Warm corpses all about you - your pals.

The whole of that next year I spent in a military hospital, half-paralysed. I could show you the shrapnel wounds I carry - they still respond to wet weather. Yes - we were the heroes then. But what did we find when we got back from the hell of war? I have listened to fine words about the dignity of the law. What do the mine owners care about our homes and the dignity of our lives? If they thought they could grind an ounce of gold from the Union Jack they would put it through the mills of their mines."

The Judge-President's speech before sentencing Long to death

"AS to the dying declaration, there is some element of doubt as to the identity of Taffy Long. But it is to me a clear declaration that Taffy Long is the person responsible for Marais's death - there is no suggestion that anyone else can be Taffy Long. Marais' statement describes him as 'small'.

True, I would not describe him as a small man. But 'small' and 'tall' are relative terms. As to the question of his hair, there has been an attempt to change its colour. The government pathologist has found the presence of crystals of permanganate of potash. This is incriminating.

Then we have to consider the character of the accused. It is quite clear that he is a man of courage - his bearing shows it. And it is clear that he was in such a condition of stern excitement as to be capable of doing the deed with which he is charged. The accused has been defended pertinaciously and ably. But we find ourselves compelled to find him guilty."