The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-08-22
'DREYFUS CASE
CAUSES COMMENT.
Canton Lawyers Discuss the
Methods of the Court.
OPINIONS GO AS EVIDENCE.
Facts Not Wanted by the Court, But II
Somebody Told Somebody Else
He Is Guilty That
Settles It.

He Is Guilty That
Settles It.
There is probably not one attorney
at the Stark county bar who is not
eagerly reading every line published in
connection with the famous Dreyfus
trial which is agitating lovers of liberty
and justice from one end of the world
to the other. The frightful conditions
existing in what for years, has been
termed the "Sister Republic" has stain
ed the souls of all liberty loving people
to the foundations. Volumes have been
written about the unfortunate captain
who is accused of treason to his country
Treason in transferring to his nations
bitterest enemy, plans of the military
defense of the land he was in honor
bound to defend to the last drop Of his
lifes blood. His friends, both in France
and throughout the world-friends be-
cause not an iota of direct evidence has
been adduced to. prove him guilty of
the crime charged, endeavored to COM
pell the government to give the exile
fair trial, and that trial, undoubtedly
the result of the efforts of the civilized
world, is now on. That 1t is a fair
trial Is questioned by every man who
takes even passing interest in the fate
of Captain Alfred Dreyfus and partially
by every member of the legal profession
whose attention must be attracted by
the travesty on justice being enacted
at Rennes.
A News-Democrat reporter called up
on prominent attorneys with view OF
gathering opinions upon the great trial
which is now commanding attention
throughout the world. There was but
one opinion expressed by each and every
lawyer interested and that opinion is
easily set forth in the language of a
Canton lawyer who is not only recog-
nized leader at the Stark county bar
but whose ability and legal erudition
| is unhampered by a merely local prac-
| tice. His words express a sentiment
which pervades the rnation-a sentiment
| founded upon Justice and equality
to all men of all nationalities and Of
all creeds. He said:
IN Af1naripo tho lnpa1 moro
properly, the military force being en-
acted at Rennes, would be impossible.
A citizen of the United States or any
Individual, whether citizen or not,
charged with a crime, is recognized by
the courts as being innocent until prov
en- guilty. Evidence must be direct and
no one charged with even a petty Of
fense can be found guilty unless he has
been proven guilty beyond a reason
able doubt. Look at this proceeding at
Rennes. Is it Justice? Is it treating
| the accused like one considered inno-
cent until proven guilty? There has not
been a single witness who testified di-
rectly against this unfortunate man
who already has spent five years of
atrocious suffering on we'll named
DEVILS island. The published testimony
shows that hearsay evidence is admit
ted and apparently relished by the
judges presiding at the court martial.
1t has, so far, all been hearsay. A
uniformed witness says, substantially,
L believe him guilty because 1 have
heard that he was guilty. and the evil
dence is recorded against the accused.
France has become military des-
lpotism-the worst form of government,
If it can be called government, on the
face Of the earth. Dreyfus is Jew and
the anti semitic sentiment in the army
is Vitriolic in it's animosity. Dreyfus is
being tried by the army and his doom
lseems certain. Labori was undoubtedly
shot by the enemy of Dreyfus. They
were afraid of the brilliant barrister
who proVd his manhood by his, excellent
defense of his client.
The army has woven a web about the
unfortunate captain that cannot be
broken. He has withstood torture like
a man-like hero, and IL he is con-
victed on the evidence being accepted
by the military tribunal it will be the
glowing outrage of the century. Drey
fus, when asked If he wished to say any
thing, at the conclusion. of the bitter
arraignment by Gen.. Roget, said:
"No, my colonel 1t is, frightful tina
Eday and day, for hours, should thu
have my heart, my SOUL. and my yer!
entrails torn without being permitted
to reply. 1t is terrible torture t
!, impose upon any innocent and loya
: soldier. 1t is frightful thing. Fright
full! Frightful!"
Here was man who was forced b.
the French law to prove himself limo
I cent and then was not allowed to inter
e rupt the acrimonious denunciations @
{ an avowed enemy, Is not such lay
a revolting to every American citizen
e In America Dreyfus would be lnnocen
I until proven guilty. In France he
8 guilty until he proves himself innocer
y and the military, of which he was a
active member. seems have prede