The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-09-22

no one with moral courage to stand up
for the helpless, lola sacrificed ease
and popularity, and IN vehement
language denounced the military and
civil authorities of connivance in a
great crime, of shielding the guilty
wretch Esterhazy and condemning the
innocent Dreyfus, and this with full
knowledge OF the guilt and innocence
of each. This impeachment was pub
lished In prominent newspaper, the
Aurore, and created the most intense
excitement. The government could
not disregard this attack and ordered
a trial of the novellst-a trial which
was probably the most sensational in
the memory of the French. The peo-
pie again shouted themselves hoarse
for Esterhazy and the army, and Kissed
lola and the Jews.
With the courage of reformer lola
contended against this tremendous
storm of opposition and attempted
boldly to produce evidence against the
government. He was, however, thwart-
ed on every side; he was not allowed to
bring in the testimony necessary to
prove his case, and most of the wit
nesses he summoned were so frighten-
ed by the magnitude of popular indig-
nation, that they refused to testify.
The trial resulted in casting grave sus
p1cions on the authorities and yet so
cowed were the jurors that they &C
quilted both the civil and military
powers and condemned lola to a years
imprisonment and the payment oil
5000 francs. Appeal was then made
from the Court of Paris to the Court OF
Versailles, which resulted merely in
confirming the decision of the former.
lola, discouraged and almost broken
hearted, saved himself the disgrace OF
imprisonment by voluntary exile.
It would seem thus that all was lost
and that the forces of evil and injustice
were to prevail, and the outside world
looked with unayailing sympathy upon
the sufferers. But recently an event
has occurred which will probably
change everything. M. Cavaignac,
Minister of War, and other military
authorities stated, as has been said,
that one of the most conclusive pieces
OF conviction of Dreyfus' guilt was the
undoubtedly authentic letter written
by German attache, referring as was
supposed to Drey}us. Zola's advocate
in some way received evidence that
cast some doubt upon the authenticity
of the letter, and summoning Ljeuten-
ant Colonel Henry, an officer who fig
ured most prominently in condemning
Dreyfus, he forced him to confess that
the letter was forgery. Henry. after
stating that he himself had committed
the forgery, made some remarks to his
wife that lead us to belieye that he had
been compelled to do this by the gov
eminent; shortly after, he took his
own life.
This confession and suicide have bad
an amazing effect. Ifwhat was ac-
knowledged to be the most convincing
document is proved to be a forgery
what may not be said about the other
pieces OF evidence? A great change
has come about in the minds of the
people. The most bitter denouncers
OF the Jew are now forced to confess
that even one of this despised race
may be treated in such wav as to
bring disgrace upon nation, and they
call for a revision OF Dreyfus' trial.
The influential journals are also max
ing the same demand and ask with rea-
son that no attempt be made to thwart
the ends OF justice. NJ. Cayaignac,
rather than grant this has resigned,
and NJ. Zurlinden, Military Governor of
Paris, has been chosen his successor,
and will evidently favor the demands
OF the people.
Such Is In brief the story OF one OF
the most sensational events in modern
French history. All the rottenness
described in the worst French novel
cannot compare with what we believe
to be the corruption in which the most
prominent French official life is stepped.
The sudden revulslon in feeling of the
French people, however, shows that
they are not utterly reprobate, and it is
to be fervently hoped that Justice will
soon be accomplished, the innocent
rewarded and the guilty punished, and
that the French as a nation will de-
termine that this disgraceful load OF
injustice, race prejudice, and corrup-
ton will forever be removed from their
fair land.
A CRITICAL TIME