The record-union., 1899-09-11
THE DREYFUs CASE.


martial had to choose between the pros
ecuting Generals and the defendant,
and that, too with small regard for the
proofs put in. This fear has been rea-
lized, and in the name Of justice most
absurd verdict has been rendered. For
If Dreyfus is guilty Of the crime OF
treason, it is simply impossible that
there could have been any mitigating
circumstances as the Court finds there
were. Where one kills his fellow man
there may be mitigating facts in the
shape of great provocation. If one is
found guilty of theft there may be the
mitigating circumstance of great hun
ger and poverty, and that the defendant
stole to save himself from starvation.
Even in the crime of arson there may
be the mitigating circumstance of i'm
enced by mature and dominating
minds.
But for treason, for the selling out Of
ones country, for deliberately giving
ton Of the rigid military law, the civil
law and the code of honor, there cam
not be mitigation. To the American
mind. the idea of mitigation in such a
therefore that the verdict of guilt was
sop to the general staff, insincere and
not justified by the conscience of the
Court. 1t was meant to save the mill
tary commanders of France from such
rebuke and disgrace as would have de-
moralized the entire army.
Justice. therefore, is put under foot
for the sake of policy and one is con-
proof Of outlines was brought. For
it will not do to say that no testimony
was given against Dreyfus that was 5i-
rect and legitimate. It was proved by
he confessed his guilt of transmitting
secrets of the intelligence bureau to a
foreign power, though there was
coupled with that declaration the as
statement of reasons for such action.
It was proved that he was seen. carry
ing to his home from the intelligence
bureau certain official manuscripts.
Dreyfus admitted it and gave a partial
excuse for it. 1t was proved that the ac-
cused was SO situated that he had ac-
cess to most of the information which
he is charged with having betrayed.
cry one Of which is capable of reason
able explanation and Interpretation
there was no testimony presented fix
ing guilt with that degree of certainty
conviction home to one accused Of
crime
On the other hand there was direct
proof that the celebrated bordereau
other. What was proved by the exam
ination OF the secret dossier has not
been made public, but there is reason
to believe that the positive proof OF
that budget of papers is sufficient to
discredit the entire lot. The semi-of1-
cial declaration of Germany and Italy
that neither Dreyfus nor any one for
him conveyed any secret information to
those governments, had been made and
came to the knowledge of the court
martial quite as legitimateIy as nine
tenths of the testimony adduced, since
fully that proportion consisted Of hear
say, declaration Of opinion, and most
absurd defamation concerning per-
sonal belief.
The American mind holds Dreyfus in
nocent because his guilt has not been
either affirmatively. by positive evi-
dence, or circumstantially made to ap-
pear. The trial the greater bulk of peo-
pie IN America esteem a grim farce,
and the belief obtains generally that
the unhappy prisoner was convicted
anew because of prejudice against his
race and the unseemly pressure brought
to bear by the general staff of the
army, which in this whole affair has
been smirched and bedaubed by its
own confession, and presented in a pit
liable light
We are not disposed to think that
Dreyfus will be punished, or at most
beyond the form Of degradation and a
few weeks Imprisonment He has won
a moral victory in the face of which
France cannot afford to fly and which
the present Administration will not
ignore. His punishment now Will but
make him the more a martyr, and this
France cannot afford. Nor do we think
that a revolution will follow the trial,
tion has proved already it's ability to
handle and safely guard the State in
the face of such a possibility. More
over. it has now the army behind it
strongly, as it might not have had il
Dreyfus had been acquitted.
The conviction is a shame and dis
grace to the French nation and excites
contempt for its methods Of searching
out the truth, but a revolution will
scarcely follow. Those liable to pro-
yoke it have already been taken red
handed and will be pursued unrelent-
ingly. On the other hand the motive