Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-02-25
The Conviction OF zoia.

sentenced to fine and imprisonment.
That is what he was brought to trial
for. Whatever the world may think OF
his novels, it will place his name among
| III. heroes and martyrs of France.
| His fame as a novelist will be over
| Swallowed in history by his sacrifice on
the altar of patriotism. The name of
| lola, once tossed on the surface of the
1 sea of literature, will yet serve to recall
man who cast himself like another
Winkelried, against the spears OF
calumny and oppression in an effort to
save his country from itself. Whether
that day will witness a French republic
the sword. who can say?
The history of France, replete as it is
with dramatic pictures and the thrill Of
tragic incident. presents few bloodless
spectaclcs mere impressive than that
of this man. almost friendless in a land
he loves and would serve. standing Al
bay in a court where Justice is a mock
cry and human rights meaningless:
term, ana there appealing foi
himself, but for republican principles
to a jury inundated by a conscience
less government and Il desperate army
against the preparation of deed So
foul that a century cannot serve L
erase the blot from the tricolor
The scene of his conviction was a:
once piiful and grand. The impas-
stoned speech of Zola at the close 81
his case and in advance Of a mastery
address by his counsel was a ringing
assertion of patriotism and reason
heating in vain on the walls reared by
prejudice, blindness and a fear of dis
aStcr which seeks To make a shield Of
dishonesty In mingled appeal and d"
liance he stood-appeal for his couu-
try's honor and defiance of the men
who are using him to sully il. His de
nunciation of the arbitrary rulings j.!
mrnt of the army's chief officers ana
of the republics prime minister 10.
their virtual service of notice upon the
jury 10 convict. and his absolute con
fidence in the verdict of time upon his
case, fill the ear with truth oppressed
and light the fire of Indignation in
every upright soul.
The peroralion Of Zola will be found
worthy of a place in the text books OF
i reconstructed France. 1t viii bear
reproduction in a republic where all NJ
contends for is established beyond the
challenge of cupidity or anarchy:
'Dreyfus is innocent, swear it.
pledge my life and honor. In this
solemn hour. before this court, which
represents human justice, before yon.
gentlemen, who are the incarnation ol
my country; before France, before tn
whole world. | swear that DreYfus is
innocent; by my forty years of labor,
by the authority which that work has
given me, swear it; by all have a.
complShed. by the name | have won.
by ny works. which have helped 10
spread French literature. | swear IT,.
Let all this perish if Dreyfus is not in
nocent He is innocent Everything
may be against me: the two chambers
the civil power. the military power the
press and public opinion. which the.
have poisoned. have on my side only
truth and justice am serene. ! shall
conquer You may strike today, but
one day France will thank me for help
ing to save her honor"
And this man is fined and cast in
prison by 4 nation which knows l."
speaks the truth. because it has de
liberately suppressed his proofs He i
sacrificed before world which knows
he speaks the truth. He is sacrificed
because the France Of today. coWardlY
and corrupt, fancies it can save Itself
from obloquy and disaster by piling
perjury mountain high and sinking
truth in the we'll of civil and military
! iniquity