The times., 1899-08-06
Drexfus, yfndicntion.

from prison. These letters nave DeSh
translated and are now published in this
country. The French title Of the book is
s'Lettres dun Innocent" The English
title is THE Letters Of Captain Dreyfus to
His Wife" 1t is stated that the object Of
Madame Dreyfus in publishing manu-
scripts OF so intimate and sacred nature
is to arouse additional sympathy for her
husband, and prove that he must be inno-
cent, since no guilty man could have writ
ten these letters. It may be said that SO
far as such evidence can go, this DooA
ought certainly to prove the Innocence OF
the writer The translation is made by L.
G. Moreau, and there is an introduction py
Walter LittIefeld
The book is inexpressibly pathetic to one
WHO has followed the progress OF this case
closely and sympathetically- 1t reminds
such reader Of some imprisoned bird re-
peating over and over one single note OF
despair and entreaty. The letters are all
in one key Over and over and over again
the prosecuted man reiterates that he is in
nocent, and implores his wife TO use every
possible effort to clear his name, for the
sake of their little children. He expresses
the most devoted love for her and for his
family and the utmost confidence in her
wisdom and heroic determination; and
through nearly al the letters there runs
despairing minor note, showing how beset
with dark forebodings and unutterable de-
preston the writer must have been.
The civilized world outside Of France has
already practically made up its mind about
the merits of the Dreyfus case. In fact,
this opinion was formed long ago, and has
been steadily growing in strength Ii may
be that the publication of these letters will
help to convince doubling readers of the
writer's innocence, but the probability is
that there are comparatively few who
doubt it, The book will remain, however,
an interesting memento OF one of the most
famous trials of the century.
The first Of the letters was written
from the prison Of Cherche-Midi, on the
9th of December. 1884, and the last from
lie du Dable, February 25, 1898. Thus, al
though the book is small, its contents cover
e period OF four years. During a part OF
this time the prisoner was allowed TO write
10 his wife as often as he pleased; at other
times he was obliged to confne his letters
TO a weekly or semi-weeklv epistle. It is
plain that during much of this time he
was as nearly insane with grief, suspense,
and humiliation as a man can be and still
possess his reason. II must be remem-
bered, also that his traditions were those
OF France, and that the French nature is
one which easily resorts TO extrayagant
expression. The Englishman, in time of
trouble, IS apt 10 adopt clam-like taci-
turnity; the Celt, the Latin, or the Gaul,
seeks means of self-expression. There are
brave men in all nations. but until the end
Of time they viii never behave just alike
IN an emergency. All things considered,
however. these letters are surprisingly
self-ccntrolled and moderate in tone, de-
spite the fact that they were written to
the one being 10 whom even brave man
may without fear or shame pour forth his
inner emotions, sure that he viii be un-
derstood.
II might almost be said that one letter
would give the key TO the whole book, for
they are very much alike. Yet as cne
reads each more carefully ii viii be seen
that there is difference; that some are
hopeful and courageous, as IL the writer
had attained TO & philosophie conviction
that justice must some day be done; Others
show plainly that the wretched man who
wrote them was struggling desperately
against the overwhelming conviction that
he would never be justified. but must re-
main without hope and without God in the
world. When q man is torn away from
every hope and aim which his life has held
and cast into the oater darkness OF exile;
when he knows that to all his world, ex-
cept the few loyal souls who believe in
his innocence, he is worse than dead-dis-
honored: when he knows or imagines that
al his country execrates him more bitterly
than If, at the head of his men, he lad
played the coward in battle; when, in
short. he is thrown upon himself
for all the mental and moral support which
other men get from the good opinion oi
their fellows, IL is one of the severesi
tests of character which can possibly bt
applied. That Captain Dreyfus endured
this ordeal without actually going mad Is
one Of the most remarkable things in the
whole history OF this extraordinary case
But he did not 60 mad. Every letter IL
this book is Enthusiastically that Of q san'
though terribly tortured man.
The letters are likely to be quoted NOR
OF less by magazines and newspapers bu
few paragraphs, taken quite al random
will indicate their general tenor. One can
not open the book at any page withou
coming upon some pathetic message:
December q, 1894.
Ny Dear Lucie: VIII you be mF interprete
10 al the members Of cur two families. 10 al
who have been thoughtful of me at this time
VIII you tell :hem how much ] hsye bee
touched by their good Letters, and by the SIN
patty they have shown met
] cannot answer them, fer what could tel
themg Ny sufferings2 They understand them
and ! DO not like TO complain. Besides that, N
brain reels, and my thoughts are al times con
fused. Ny soul alone remains mistaken, a
sfrous accusation thrown IN my face. "
whole being still rev0lts at the thought Of it.
Bot IL the end the truth mus be known, Z
splse Of everything. We are not living in
century when the light can be hidden. II mus
be that the whole truth viii be known that II
voice VIII be heard throughout the length an
breadth nf dear FFance-Just as my acc
s2tion has been heard II IS not only my oW
honor which have 10 defend; 1t Is the hon'
OF all the corps Of officers Of which l am
part, and q worthy part.
e August, 1895.
Nv whole heart Is with you. how many tim
have taken up my pen only 20 throw II asid
What does Il profit US for me always to
stirring up these sorrows? Aside from yol
health. from The health Of the children, that
al Of the family, i have ONLY one thought
and that forces 70 liye-the thought ot o'
honor. And then remember that / a
obliged 20 control myself night and day Wit
out one moment ot respite; that neTer open II
mouth; that there Is never moment when n
nerves are relaxed, 50 that when ] write 10 y
with my whole heart everything that cries o.
in me for justice and truth runs despite u
VIII. under my pen.
BU: What ! shall tell you always, long
my heart shall beat, is that, above all our 90
VOWS, Oh, however terrible they may be, b
fore life itself Is honor, and that that homo
which belongs TO Us, must remain with Us;
Is the pstrimony Of our children. Then aiwa
and siiii again courage. Luee, until We hs
seen the end Of this horrible tragedy; b.
Jet Us hope for al our s2kes that it m;
come soon.
October 1897.
Therefore. my dear Lucie for your own sake
resolved to gain your right-tiie right Of iusti
and Of truth-untiI the fun light shines OF; unl
all France Is couvinced-aRd She must be-Whet
er ] should live die; for, like Banquo's ghoi
should come out u ng tomb 10 CRY TO you
with al H. soul. always aud again "courag
courage" You are to have your day