New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-10
SYMPATHY FOR THE ELDER DE LESSEPS.
FRENCH-AMERIcANs DEPLoRE HIS FATE-FRED-
ERIC r. COCDFRT SPEAKS


ERIC r. COUDERT SPEAKS.
The news that Ferdinand de Lesseps and his son
had been sentenced to Imprisonment for five years
and 70 pay fine OF 5000 francs for their connection
with the Panama scandal caused sensation among
Frenchmen In this city yesterday. Nearly every one
expressed regret that the elder NJ dc Lcsseps should
have been so arshly treated. and there was no one
who did not deeply depore his humiliation Frederic
r. Coudert, the wdlknown lawyer, was shocked when
he was Informed Of the sentence. lie thought that
the elder De Lesseps wOnld not live long enough 10
be put In prison. Here Is what he said
IL have been Informed OF the sentence that you
speak Of and am surprised TO hear that so severe
n punishment has been inflicted by the C"nrt upon
old NJ de Lcsseps. Ills nnme has been surrounded
hr n eort of elemor for many years he had been so
cnorolv considered one OF the foremost scientific men
in his country he was universally respected that
thought these circumstances, joined 10 MS extreme
ope would shield him from severe punishment. MORE
over l DO not believe that he ever Intended 10 de-
,r,ud the French bondhodcrs TO his own advantage.
No seoms 10 me to have been sort OF n'alSt WIN
blind confidence IN his star and an absolute disre-
d .o obstacles that would have appalled, any reason
oh,e man. Probably the day did arrive when the en-
borussments crowded upon him so heavily that Nv
must have had misgivngs as to maj success iu' II
wos easier TO 20 than TO turn bac1, ana he nopu
AGAINST hope that he would reach such po'ht '""'
nj. neonla would not permit him to fal 30 lar rs
noi ~ honestv e concerned, have never questioned
~, no u,.s free from any desire to enrich himself
unlawfully IN -. +. .o rroot
"As to his son. the sympathy Will not be so great
md universal as In the case Of the Ih'hcr. i"e ''
wos in the fun vigor OF his you'h anu s'''''" nav
coon that the obstacles in his way were 'hs"''no.',
ahe While aQuit him. too, from any PERSONA ia, I"
=, ,nooritv II Is plain that he suffered hmsen 10 DC
,,rhmo,,cd from n hnadrcd different quarters anu
That no pe1mitted money intended for the caha' u
ar,f into the hands OF public men ana DhhrsS'
utterly tercft OF conscience ana good ia''
opormous sums paid to such people wou'a h''o eo"
far with economy and prudence to assure 'he
~ the canal The lavish expense. howeVer ""u'
that impossible, which was extremely u''".u" aa,
nd when the history OF the operation Is i'iy ""ue
, 4, ,v,,, he seen that II was doomed In ADVANCE
Natural impediments sufficient without 'ne az
c,mulated obstacles furnished by powerful ana ""'
scrupulous men. s.ons
at uas evident from the beginning that dc Lesseps,
,r.. could ct escape. The public nina was 's'"''.
and InAamed in the highest degree Inc hohor y.
the country seemed TO be 'arnisned oS NV az"
Individuals and II would have required strong cour'
"a rssis the rapdd current which swept all before IT,
do not mean 10 say that the decision Is against
,,bcr the Inv or the evidence; but judges are human
after all, and the clamor OF the ou'sioe wofiu va"
scarcely fall to reach their ears ana 10 a"ec. ''.'
minds. Personally have the deepest sympathy ~.
The. elder de- Lcsseps. He was cahed lie srahu
Francois for many years ana never cur" INV.
,aot he did had he not been considered the Vp'ea'
rnchman of his day. Ills life is ending iE sorrow
onh humiliation and there many who VIII forget
h,s faults and errors while they recall his OLD age
and his great services In the past
Ernst Dorval, the lessee OF the 81. '"n,eS ',oe''
aid: al think that there are only Few frehenm.n
sau m M, recret The sentence passed upon poor old
VINO 20 no lie WAS tie Grand Old Man OF France
N. de e. fdo bad that his last days should De spcns
in such humiliation. "oe'nee ~ s"