The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-22
Concerning Dreyfns' Future.


There is phase of the Dreyfus mat
ter outside Of the merits Of the case
and the attendant circumstances which
are causing so much uproar. but which
Is largely question of speculation and
sentiment. The question is propound-
ed by several American papers. but is
most tersely put by the Washington
Star. when 1t asks: What is to become
of Captain Dreyfus?" That is. what is
to become of him. whether re-cOnvIcted
or set free? His future, in any event.
IS the point to be considered.
The Star brings out the point strong
ly when 1t inquiries: Consider him again
convicted. will he be returned to Dew
us Island? His enemies, OF course,
will insist upon 1t, because their hatred
would cause them to demand the Sc
Yerest punishment, on the ground that
It is a second conviction for the same
ofrense, Should such a thing occur.
what effect would It have on Dreyfus?
After what the miserable, prosecuted
man has gone through already the
horrors and the crueltles. would not
death be preferable to him? Says the
Star: HE did not know the horrors Of
such prison until he went to them,
But imagine him after Ave years
experience of them. and brief
respite in France. with the
sight and association OF his wife and
friends, on the way back to resume the
agony of humiliation, isolation and tor
ture!"
Then take the other alternative, and
imagine him acquitted and consider the
possibilities. Where shall he go; whers
will he spend his remaining existence
and find happiness and content? Where
Will he be safe? AcqutttaI, restoration
OF his commission in the army, viii not
bring him happiness. for the army is
already against him-not so much the
rank and file, but the high officers
the generals, and the subordinate OH
GERS reflect the bitter enmity Of the
big fellows, who were all in the con-
spiracy to bring the degradation upon
poor Dreyfus. The Star relates tea-
ture of the situation, when It says:
Popular passion Is even stronger. A
nfscreant was found to attempt the as
sasslnatoln OF Labor. Will II be diitl-
cult to find one TO put an end TO Drey-
fus? Where shall he be safe, In the
army or out, from the hatred OF those
who have already gone so far and de-
scended so low In pursuit OF him, and
to whom his acquittal will be as an OIL
ciaf badge Of shame?
There Will be no attractions for
Dreyfus In army life under such cir
cunstances. The only significance in
this feature will be the wipIng out Of
the stain upon his good name, but nat
uraiy he desires that more than his life
and restoration to domestic relations.
1t Is probably true, as the Washington
contemporary says. that wife and
children and friends await him, but
the husband. father and friend who
LEFT them viii not return to them as he
was then" His counsel has already
said that Dreyfus is wreck. "Perse-
cutlon has destroyed the charm Of his
personality, which was one Of his chief
characteristics. and has left him dazed'
lacking in confidence and unrespon-
slve."
There is a great deal of truth in all
this. It canot be treated with Indifrer-
ence. 1t is the awful shame Of the
regrettabte history. Is there in the
history OF this century a more imam
Gus incident? In ancient history there
we're few transactions that excel 1t for
savage cruelty.