"The treason of which I stand convicted loses all its guilt, has been sanctified as a duty, and will be ennobled as a sacrifice"

Thomas Francis Meagher made this statement throughout his trial for treason in 1848, after leading a not successful uprising against British guideline in Ireland. In this quote, Meagher is essentially stating that he does not consider himself guilty of treason because he thinks that he was acting in the best interests of Ireland and its people. He argues that his actions were justified since he was defending Irish independence and for the rights of Irish individuals who were oppressed by British guideline.

By stating that his treason "loses all its regret," Meagher is suggesting that his actions were ethically sensible and that he needs to not be penalized for them. He likewise claims that his treason has been "sanctified as a task," meaning that he sees his actions as an ethical commitment that he needed to meet in order to defend what he thought was right. Lastly, Meagher specifies that his treason will be "ennobled as a sacrifice," indicating that he wants to suffer the effects of his actions for the greater good of his cause.

Overall, this quote represents Meagher's belief that his actions were not treasonous however rather an act of task and sacrifice in the service of a greater cause. It also reflects his undeviating dedication to Irish independence and his desire to deal with the repercussions of his actions in pursuit of that objective.