On 24 November, the morning after the executions, Engels wrote to Karl Marx –
“All the Fenians lacked were martyrs. These they have been presented with…..Through the execution of these men, the liberation of Kelly and Deasy has been made an act of heroism which will be sung over the cradle of every Irish child…..The Irish women will take care of that. The only instance for an execution for any similar act is…..that of John Brown after Harper’s Ferry. The Fenians could not hope for a better precedent……Louis Napoleon…….at the head of his band of adventurers at Boulogne (1840) shot the officer on duty..……For this the English Government have hanged Allen; but the English Queen kissed Louis Napoleon’s face, whilst the English aristocracy and and bourgeoisie kissed his backside”.
Quoted by T.A. Jackson in “IRELAND HER OWN”
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