Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-08-10
DREYFUS STILL IN GREAT PERIL

Di<E YFUS I'LL IN GREAT PERIL
Madame Dreyfus. the heroine OF the
18th Century. knowing the strength OF
the military. religious, governmental,
racial and social combination agains |
her husband. expressed her fears re-
Gently that the second trial might go
against him again, like the first. with
the aid of perjury. forgery. money.
bribery and prejudice. "Oh, if we
have TO go over it all again." she cx-
claimed. What pathos in those words.
What courage. What self devotionl
1 Nobody knows what she has endured
since his first arrest; but everybody
knows that she met everything with
a steady face and a brave heart, that
{ dared ana endured everything And
now, after all these fluctuations and
woes, when new trial of Dreyfus has
been secured chiefly through her faith
full and loving eXertion, there is, siill
awful doubt of the issue, so strong and
so INSCRIPTIONS the enemies of her and
her husband.
When she has these fears, the public,
AS unanimous as they are for the ac-
quittal and triumph OF Dreyfus. must
not be too sure, against so much hate
ana prejudice concentrated at Paris,
and when verdict for him will be the
condemnation of so many in high place;
III short u victory for right and the
people. against the combined forces of
money. might, rank and all the allies
of political, religious. military and So
cial bigotry. Even a large body of the
French people have been misled to re-
gard Dreyfus AS n representative of in>
iiuences inimical to their religion and
patriotism; rs a traitor to France, who
has sold himself and attempted to sell
and betray the country to Germany;
and that TO allow him now to escape
aroused vengeance will be n victory for
domestic treason and foreign hate over
France and all her aspirations
These are sentiments; but among all
people worthy to be called people, the
sentimental prepondcrates. ana shapes
thought, conviction and action. Ii
makes the past dear and glorious: il
makes the future bright with all the
possibilities of hope; and it inspires the
courage To meet all the demands Of
the present. And the French. above all
othr people, are sentimental, and, alas.
sensational. truths that must bc com
pretended to understand them,-or.
rather. 10 understand that the French
people are the most difficult 10 COM
l.rchend because they interpret all facts
by their feelings. subject to the pre-
vailins sentiment, whether ii hc re-
lision. or patriotism. or glory, or CON
quest, or revenge.
Thus. the same people who exul,ed
in the condemnation, degradation ana
cruel punishment of Dreyfus, may
equally cXult in his acquttal. rehabill-
tatIon and innocence triumphant; not
that the facts are different, for they
are substantially the same; but because
they see these facts in another light.
Another sentiment prevails the mis-
cream: has become a martyr. But Gen.
MERCER and others declare confidently
that they Will convict Dreyfus again
but conditions are so different that a
fair and open trial must have evidence
above suspicion of forgery and perjury;
and If perjury and forgery were re-
quired to convict before. they will hard
~ be less needed now. when they are
sure of prompt exposure and punish
mcnt.