Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-09-13
CONVICTION OF DREYFUS.


Although the result of the Dreyfus
trial is great disappointment to many
who have been hoping differently, it
can hardly furnish much occasion for
surprise. While but few people in this
country have had any doubt as to the
innocence of the prisoner, not many
have been able to cultivate a great
deal of confidence in French justice.
During all the five weeks of the
trial there has not been developed a
point of evidence that indicated guilt,
and except mere opinion, there has
not been particle of testimony that
pointed in that direction. On the 9th
er hand, it might be fairly said that
the defendant actually proved himself
innocent, requirement seldom heard
of in any civilized tribunal. But it
was all to no purpose. The verdict
had evidently been made up before
the trial commenced, and the judges
were 80 set in their purpose that a
change would have been impossible.
The circumstances which have made
possible such condition of affairs, are
difficult to comprehend and more diff
ficult to explain in detail but without
attempting to 60 into an analysis oi
French character, it may be said in q
general way that in France the army
is the only object of veneration of q
majority of the people. The army
takes the place of the old monarchy.
In the eyes of the masses it is greater
than the government. 1t embodies all
the hopes of France. 1t is therefore
infallible. In this case its honor and
integrity was impugned, and every
Frenchman, high or low, who acknowl'
edged sole Allegiance to the army,
deemed it his sacred duty to sacrifice
every other consideration to its vindi-
cation. There is every reason to be-
lieve that the five judges were as thor
oughly convinced of the innocence OF
Dreyfus as were the two; but their
ideas of loyalty to the army required
that they vindicate the crime of the
former court martial by another crime
Just like it.
Suspicion fell on Dreyfus in the first
insance because he is Jew. 1t was
prejudice more than suspicion. Out
side of the United States, Great Bri-
tain is the only civilized country in the
world where the Jew is accorded the
same social and political rights as are
accorded to other citizens. The atti-
tude of the French is one of combined
contempt and jealousy. 1t was be-
cause then that he was Jew that
Dreyfus was selected as a victim and
along with this the second injustice
was committed with a view to justify
ing the first.
But after all France is not the only
country in which such things can occur.
Strong feelings and prejudices make
many a case of this kind. 1t is uni
versally acknowledged now that the
conviction and execution of Mrs. Sur
ratt were brought about merely by the
desire of the northern people for a
victim on account Of the assassination
of President Lincoln. Similar injus-
tices are of frequent occurrence in our
courts and in all the courts of the CIV
ilized world. And if we would 60
further, we may bring it still closer
home. Any individual who will take
the trouble to thoroughly examine
himself will be sure to find within his
heart feelings and prejudices against
his neighbor of the same character
which lead to the injustice against
Dreyfus. The only difference in these
feelings and prejudices is, perchance,
that they may be on smaller scale.