The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-31
WHEELING DAILY INTELLIGENCER THURSDAY AUGUST 81 1888

summoned to the war department Du
Patty de Clam dictated a letter to him.
in which were enumerated documents
in the bordereau. Notwithstanding
Dreyfus wrote in his usual handwriting
the theatrical monkey thought he de-
tected a trembling in Dreyfus' writing
Indicative OF guilt. For the sake Of
argument, suppose Dreyfus was agl-
tated. Any innocent man, when he
saw the drift of de CLAIMS ruse and
the implied accusation in debating such
letter would naturally have his calm
disturbed by the enormity OF the crime
it was sought to fasten on him. Iron
nerves would culver under such n
strain. but that would be no proof OF
guilt; 1t would be more like the confu-
sion OF Indignation. But the fiat had
gone forth, and Dreyfas was doomed.
on these nimsy grounds the hated Jew
was thrust into prison. His house was
searched Immediately. but no Incrimi-
mating documents or evidence was
found. This failure to obtain convlnc-
ing proofs was excused in de Clans
inventive mind that Everything that
might have proved in any way compro-
missing had been hidden or destroyed in
time" The cupidlty of the scoundrel
who was then SO deep in the conspiracy
only reflected what he would have done
under the circumstances.
For two weeks Dreyfus remained in
ignorance of the specific accusations
against him. Then the peculiar perse-
cutlons OF the prisoner were initiated.
The ridiculous de Clam asked
the superintendent of the prison
whether "he could not enter the
cell with lamp powerful enough
to throw a beam of light in Dreyfus
face, so as to surprise and dlsconcert
him." Well, who would not have been
startled by such an occurrence. What
would 1t prove to the mind of any sane
man?
"Another time" relates ReInach,
when he asked Captain Dreyfus an
abrupt question, he kept his eye on the
point OF the captains foot. Seeing 1t
move, he concluded that the reflex ac-
tlon was a certain proof of guilt. He
related this experiment to the members
of the council of war, and they were
led TO question his sanity" And no
wonder, yet with such slender threads
was woven the belief Of Dreyfus' guilt.
1t reads more like the deductions Of
Sherlock Holmes than fair and hon
est investigation.
On october 81, 1894. Colonel De Clam
submitted his report to the minister Of
war. The latter had his doubts, and
hesltated to act In so grave matter on
such questionable evidence. Du Patty
had recommended the most absolute Sc
crecy. To force the minister's hand.
Commandant Henry published the ar
rest of the Jewish officer in the LIbre
Parole. Thus an anu-Semltic cam
paign was set on foot From the mere
fact that the accused officer was II
Jew, Drumont at once proclaimed him
guilty. General MERCER surrendered
to the threat of Drumont and Roche
fort.
Deyfus was condemned not only on
the strength of the bordereau, but stln
more on that OF secret documents lille
gally admitted, which had no reference
to him, and which had been communal
Gated to the judges outside OF the reg
ular channels OF accusation and de-
Tense. Then the unfortunate man was
degraded and transported to Devils
Island.
Then followed long years Of suffering,
such as no man knows the cruelty OF,
The revision OF the case by the court
OF cassatlon and the ordering Of new
trial followed. Now we are being re-
called with all the devilIsh intricacies
of the monstrous conspiracy; the sick
ening bIgotry of the general staft and
the criminal partially OF the court mar
tIal. 1t will be a woeful day for
France II she refuses Justice in this
case on the plea that the army cannot
afford to admit of having made a mis-
take. And 1t is not unlikely that
Dreyfus may be re-condemned. The
trial would be amusing II it were not
so deeply traglcal.