The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-22
lola ADDRESSES THE JURY.
HIS SPEECH GREETED WITH
Kisses AND PROTESTS.


Seeking to Overthrow the Re
public.
Paris, Feb. A.-The rain to-day deci-
mated the crowds about the approaches
to the Assizes court of the Seine. In the
Palace of Justice, though. the court It.
self was packed with people.
NJ. zola was Kissed when he reached the
court. The advocate general commenced
his address. He declared that NJ Zola's
assertions that the Esterhazy court mar
tial acquitted a guilty person in accord
ance with superior orders remained entire
ly improved. Maj. Esterhazy, he added,
could not be the author of the bordereau,
and he protested against certain newspa-
pers accusing officers of seeking to over
throw the republic.
The advocate general severely criticised
the attitude of Col. Plcquart and NJ. lie
that the court martial of Mai. Esterhazy
was conducted behind closed doors, he
said that when a question of foreign af-
fairs is under discussion the matter must
be judged among Frenchmen."
He added: "The Esterhazy court proved
the fact that they were divided in opinion
on the question of the trial taking place
behind closed doors, but they were unani-
nous in acquitting the officer"
In conclusion the advocate general ex-
pressed confidence that the jury would
condemn NJ. Zola without hesitation.
The session of the court was then sus-
pended.
When the session was resumed, NJ. Zola
read an address to the court in which he
said that the premier, NJ. Meline. had the
air of giving the jury, who was charged
to avenge the national honor, an order to
find me guilty" loud protests)
The presiding judge said. You cannot
say that the premier has given an order
to condemn you"
Continuing, M. Zola said: "such pro-
ceedings are an abominable piece of poliu-
cal manners. 1 have never in
suited tho army as has been said
but / have raised a cry of alarm and 1
leave history to judge me and to appre-
oiate my acts"
"Those who dishonor France" M. Zola
said ARE those who mngle cries of
''Vive l'Armee' with 'Abas les Juifs and
'Vive Esterhazy, after the letters he has
written (Murmurs). If l am here H is
because ! wished it. 1t Is ! who asked to
appear before you, who are the voice of
justice. 1t is for you gentlemen, that /
raise the cry OF alarm and that / wish to
bring out the truth, perhaps unsuccess-
fully, but here l stand before you and
wait your justice"
NJ. Zola complained of the prevailing
state of lassitude and exclaimed: your
thoughts which ] think / can read on
your faces are: we have had enough of
1t. The matter must be brought to an
end
Il am not defending my liberty, gentle
men" NJ. Zola said 70 the jury, lin pre-
senting myself to YOU. / am defending
the truth. Look me in the face, gentle
men. Have | been bought, or am /
traitor / am free writer who intends
to resume his vocation and again take up
his interrupted labors. ] Indignantly pro-
test against the charge of being an Ita-
ian."
oh" he added. Il am not defending
my liberty. Condemn me- then If you
wish 1t will be but an additional error.
1t will be the seed which will germinate
and prevent France from falling into in
difference.
IF the country is in trouble the fau.t
lies with the government, who In the hope
of saving some culprit had tried to pre-
vent the truth from comipg into the light
of day.
'The very life Of the people is at stake.
II is for you, gentlemen Of the jury, TO
utter the truth upon this affair and rem
der justice"
NJ zola dwelt upon the fact that the
entire people had been thrown into pain
fI1I ~.
ness of Dreyfus, and said: "rhe govern
ment, who know all and who, like you.
are convinced of the innocence Of Drey-
fus, viii one day make it known and will
publish Il without running any risk"
Then, raising his voice, NJ Zola three
times proclaimed the following: Before
all the world, / swear Dreyfus is inno-
cent?
Loud murmurs and Kisses from the back
Of the court greeted this utterance.
NJ. Zola concluded by saying: ',Tbe dav
will come when France will thank me for
saving her honor" prolonged uproar)
NJ. Labori counso; for NJ Zola, follow
ed with an eloquent speech.
His opening words, I'VE are here in de-
fense of Justice and right" were hailed
with loud protests from the back of the
court room, but counsel continued re-
preaching the authorities for being led
astray by passing interests" and "wlth not
wishing to deal with the Dreyfus affair.
although there are few senators or depu-
ties who doubt his innocence"
Nevertheless" continued NJ. Labori
truth Will prevail. The elections VIII rot
be allowed to pass amid mystery and am
Sguiues." Wenewed protests)
NJ. Labor then thanked "aI those per
sonages Of the intellectual elite Of France
who have had the courage to seek for truth
and light. q"
Counsel referred to tho INSPIRED arfi-
cles in the press "lntended to deceive the
country" and said: "If a syndicate exists
1t is a syndicate Of good faith, of loyalty
whose aim II Is to obtain justice nnd
right In the interests OF the entire coun-
try. and this syndicate has the greatest
faith In your perspicacity."
This caused a violent uproar, against
which NJ. Labori vehemenly protested.
An individual in the back Of the court
room shouted: How much have they paid
your"
To this M. Labori retorted: "If we had
been paid, such as you would have ap-
plaudcd US"
NJ. Labori then proceeded to reproach
the premier with refusing to allow generals
to be judged before a jury and he asked:
"Are generals then above The legal con
science OF the country? our opponents
faflxal ,f ,aunIapra IL, tha ne