New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-15
THE DAY IN FRANCE.

Nfaftre LabOri has walked for many months
in the shadow Of dangers persstng in his duty
as calmly as If he had nothing 10 fear. Like
king he must have felt that assassination was
an incidental risk of his profession. He was
striving for justice against great and powerful
enemies. desperately determined 10 protect
themselves. and doubtless as ready to see him
murdered as they had been 10 torture Dreyfus,
or place the convenient razor at the hand Of
Henry. 1t has taken courage of n high order to
fight these conspirators and brave at once their
INSCRIPTIONS weapons and the blind fury Of
popuace Every man who has worked con-
spicuously for revision has taken his life in his
hands. The threats have perhaps passed as idle
vaporings but il IL evident that there was some
thing real in them, and when we think upon
the intensity and character of the opposition to
revision we are inclined TO wonder that the
sacrifice to truth should have been so long de-
layed Justice rarely trumphs over intrenched
and determined evil without some martyr pay
ing for the victory. France will be fortunate II
it pays for It's passion or its blindness only In
the suffering and perhaps the death of one
valiant champion Of right and escapes the dis
order and destruction to which some Of its gen.
erals are striving to drag their country in their
own fall.
The weapon aimed at Maftre Labori may
have been hred by paid bravo or mad
fanatic. 1t was loaded by MERCER, Zurlinden,
Boisdeffre and their following They have so
deuded Frenchmen with lies that they are re-
sponsbe for the workings Of weak and diseased
minds in accordance with their teaching, and
the truth IS so far synonymous with their ruin
that II requires little stretch of the imagination
10 believe that the attempted assassination was
the deliberate plan of some one of them, and
not merely the logical result Of their actions.
Is there any reason to suppose that they would
hesitate an instant to murder either Dreyfus-
who apparently was the intended victim yes
terday-or anybody on either side of the case
to save themselves? They know that they are
on trial as well as Dreyfus, and that there
is no compromise possible in the verdict.
Nevertheless, 1t is more likely that Maitre
Labori was shot down by their fanatic than
their tool, for they could hardly hope to
gain much by this act 1t might save General
MERCER a merCiless examination, but that
would he only temporary relief, while the
dastardly deed would he almost sure to react
and make their last state worse than their first.
The crime would not fit their interests as would
general disorder TO frighten the timid, or the
overthrow by violence or intrigue of this first
Government that has had the strength and
courage TO resist them.
Just how far the agitation in Paris finds in
DreyfuS a cause or an occasion is matter for
speculation Bonapartist and Orleanist and
other sorts Of conspirators are always active in
France and seeking any pretext for popular
uprising Doubtless many schemers who really
care nothing about the Dreyfus case and would
not lift finger to save the rascals Of the Gen
eral Staff find In their danger and in the
prejudice against the Jews an opportunity TO
make trouble. And doubtless, the other
hand, these generals. some of whom were per-
haps themselves the traffickers in French
secrets, and whose patriotism knows no differ
ence between republic, kingdom or empire if
IT serves their ends, are glad TO secure the
sistance Of political conspiraors TO fomelt up
risings that may perhaps delay or prevent the
exposure Of their crimes Thanks to a Minis
Try that Is not afraid TO rule there is little
chance for revolution Probably now that the
less respectable but not less dangerous sort of
agitation which seeks 10 intmidate lawyers
ana Judges by threats OF murder has nearly re-
suited in murder Frenchmen may he awak-
ened from this delusion and craze which has
peen the reliance OF forgers and the oppor
UNITY OF the enemies Of French liberty.
Inc trial AT Rennes went on yesterday with
generals and exMinisters telling the court that
they were convinced Of Dreyfuss guilt and
frenchmen listened seriously TO these speeches,
as If they had in them shadow of evidence.
when denunciation takes the place Of proof
ma holds such sway over the popular mind
that murder becomes its NATURAL reinforcement,
1t Is time for a people to consider its WAYS.
French civilization is on trial at Rennes. Is II
so given over to passion and self-deception that
not even yesterdays shot can rouse II 70 the
mockery of yesterdays testimony? Is II so
blind that ii cannot see ruin in giving itself over
TO the laudation Of men who found their cause
OIL appeals 10 ignorance and prejudice and law.
lessness, and invite It's furtherance by murder?