Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-10
T LOCAL AND ADVERTISEMENTS

trial had been conducted with all the
formalities Imposed by the law. Drey-
fenced without any further appeal be-
ing possible.
PROTESTS INNOCENCE.
Shortly before the sitting Of the court
Of revision Dreyfus was visited In his
cell by Major Du Patty de Clam, who
asked him IL he was at last ready to
confess his guilt.
Il am innocent" said Dreyfus: 81
nave nothing to confess"
May you not have acted imprudent-
ly!' said the commander. did you
not, perhaps, do something with a view
to involve some foreign agent?"
40 not know any agents." replied
Dreyfus. Il have heither had any such
reiatlonShip wished to involve no.
body. l am innocent of the crime
brought against me-"
Then" said NJ. Du Patty de Clam,
f what you say is true. you are the
greatest martyr of the century,. i
After the Majors departure Dreyfus
wrote the following letter to the Min
lister of War: 80
Monster lie Minstrel have received,
Dy your orders. a visit from Major Du
Paty dc Clam, to whom once more de-
ciared that am Innocent and that
have never even committed the slight
est act of impudence.
am convicted and sentenced. I
nave no pardon to ask for, but in the
name OF my honor, which, I hope, will
one day be restored to me, it is my
duty to beg OF you to be so good as to
continue your Investigations.
Let the search be continued after I
nave gone. That Is the only mercy I
pray Tor: ALFRED DREYFUS."
THE DEGRADATION.
On Ihe morning Of January 4th Al
fred Dreyfus was told to nut on. in
stead Of the civilian clothes which he
had been wearing in his CELL a cap
tain's full uniform, which had been
specially prepared for the occasion.
The lace on the cap the red seams on
the trowsers, the buttons and trim
mings on the tunic had been unfasten-
ca ana stitched on again. strongly
enough to keep in place, and vet so
loosely that they could easily be torn
eff. a sword was handed him in its
scabbard and he Vas hidden to buckle
1t round his waist. This sword had
been filed on each side about half way
down the blade. At O'Clock Dreyfus
was carried under guard into tho
| square, where, in the presence of the
assembled troops, he was to be de-
graded. a few minutes later Gen. OAR
| ras, rising in his stirrups and waving
| his sword alcft, thus addressed the
prisoner: "Dreyfus. Alfred, you are un-
worthy to carry arms. In the name OF
the french people we degrade you"
| AS these words, spoken with tnefrable
contempt. thunder forth, the gigantic
| adjutant, by whose side the prisoner,
seen from the avenue without shows
put as pismy. strides up and lays his
| hands roughly upon him. First. he
tears the triple band from off the can
tains cap and filings it to the ground
with gesture OF disgust and CONTEMPT
| His motions are brusque, violent and
| 1erkey. Then he tears the buttons from
the coat, the gold lace from collar and
sleeves, and strips the trousers of Their
\ red adornments. Here Dreyfus throws
up his arm and cries In voice that Is
heard all over the square and far be-
yond ITS limits: You are degrading an
innocent man! Viva Ia France!" Ar
immense cry from the people without
Death! Death! To Satory with the
traitor! Down with the Jews!" His
belt Is next torn from him, and the in
Hocent sword Is wrenched from Its
scabbard. The eXecutioner seizes It in
poth hands and across his Bonded knee
snaps the steel. The broken sword Is
hung down and stamped upon, and
then, upon the heap OF namelees litter
winch was once soldiers pride, the
pelt and empty scabbard are tossed
contemptuously. The artillerymen step
up, and under this escort Dreyfus la
mentable. grotesque in his defaced ac-
coutrement, is marched round so that
each soldier may raise his hanging head
and see how n traitor shows.
Yet during the terrible penance OF
TINS march of infamy. despite the in
suits leveled at him by many OF those
before whom he passed. in spite of the
Irantic menaces of the eXasperated
mop without. Dreyfus never once loses
his calmncss. With q courage that bor-
dered on heroism he marched, firm and
erect. with his head high up, and more
than once he is heard TO cry, In a loud
ana steady voice: "Vive la Francei /
swear that am Innocent" AS he pass
es before the assembled press men he
cries: In the face of all France 1
s%e ttf>tfIstt am Innocent reserve
| onicer who is standing by answers with
JUDAS, traitor, dirty Jew!" Now he
| reaches the prison van. Here the gen.
oarmes gather roughly round The click
OF the handouts Is heard and it is seen
that a human form is bundled with
every gesture of disgust and loathine,
INTO the infamous cart. The escort
forms round 1t, and the prison van
drives Oft. The drums roll, the band
strikes up merry. soul-inspiring
march, %
| Following came the transportation TO
| Devils Island. the terrible fortunes
| suffered there by the prisoner. the un-
clear the name of her husband the SEN
| satlonai accusations by Emile lola, and
| nnaily the decision of the Court OF Cas-
| sation granting the new trial
|
EILiPtNOS ACTIVE