Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-01
THURSDAY. JUNE ], 1899
THE DREYFUS CASE.

There seems no longer doubt that the
Court of Cessation will declare in favor
Of revision in the case of Dreyfus, and
that the unfortunate prisoner of DeYiIs
Island will be given new trial. More
over. there is every reason to believe that
upon retrial he will be acquitted. In all
the annals Of modern prosecutions, whe-
Their before civil or military tribunals,
there is not recorded more disgraceful
zone than that which resulted in the con-
yiction of Dreyfus. As is well known
Captain Dreyfus was charged with selling
military secrets TO another Power. Much
of the testimony for the prosecution was
Of a secret nature. But upon the trial of
lola, who cspoused the cause of Dreyfus,
or rather the cause Of justice. and the
honor of France and through the efforts
OF friends and other champions of Drey-
fus enough as TO the character of this
testimony and the proceeding in general
was brought out TO convince the outside
world that he was the victim Of one of
the most shameless and damnable con-
spiracics ever concocted. On the strength
of forged papers the word of perjurers
and the say of suborned witnesses, he
was found guilty and was condemned to
a fate worse than death. 1t was clear to
all except the French nation that he was
made d scape-goat for others higher in
authority--a set of plotters who in their
desperate efforts To shield themselves and
prevent reason and a sense of right from
asserting sway with the people, were pre-
pared to go to any lengths, no matter
how despicable. In order TO give the pre-
determined verdict standing with the peo-
pie. and in the hope of making it a per-
manent barrier against the investigation
of their own iniquities. they stirred up
luminosity against the race TO which
Dreyfus belongs TO the point of precipi-
Eating rioting, and had recourse 10 the
reasonable expedient OF practically me
nacing the civil authorities with the bayo-
net.
The testimony before the Court Of CAS-
sation and the presentation Of the case in
that tribunal by NJ de Beaupre and NJ.
Alanau not only support the conviction
that had found lodgment in the public
mind outside of France, but have, it is
now manifest, forced that conviction on
the minds Of tho majority Of the French
people.
Nearly every scintilla Of the "evidence"
upon which Dreyfus was found guilty
has been utterly discredited, the princi-
pal witnesses against him have been
shown TO be beneath the contempt of even
The Paris canaille, and it has been prac-
tieally established that one of these wit
-Esterhazy- the author of the
famous, or rather infamous, bordereau
that figured so prominently in Dreyfus's
trial. In addition. much has been adduced
IN the way of discriminating evidence
against the high military authorities be-
hind the Dreyfus persecution.
OF course. 1t must be remembered that
st is difficult to foresoe what a day may
bring forth In France. But none the less,
the outlook IS most encouraging for a
victory for Dreyfus, victory for justice,
and a Yindication Of the claim of the
Court of Cessation that it is the bulwark
OF French national honor. And the reali-
zation Of this outlook will also be a great
victory for the press, as represented by
Figaro, and an impressive and notable H.
lustration of the power Of truth. The tes-
timony before the court from day to day
was printed in full by Figaro. ana al
though the proprietors Of the paper were
fined for this breach Of confidence" it
IS generally conceded that 20 "Figaro's
disclosures" Is due almost entirely the
comparatively judicial-minded consdera-
ton which the French people, as rule.
are now disposed to give 20 the matter
Furthermore, there Is a suspicion that
The French ministry recognized that pub
1lcation OF the proceedings would subserve
the ends of justice. and conduce to calm
thinking. that the offence OF Figaro was
really committed with the approval OF the
ministry. and that the punishment inhict-
ed was only for the sake OF appearances
Yes. the prospect for victory In all the
directions We have named is bright, and
all true friends OF France ardently hope
that that prospect will materiaize. At the |
same time. We would say that justice will
not have been completely victorious. and
the blot the Dreyfas affair has put upon |
The name of the French nation Will not |
have been thoroughly effacod. until the !
"exaited' fascals who instisated the pro- |
sec'tion Of the unfortunate officer shall