The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-08-25

gains the prisoner Who Ia innocent
and the world knows T. What other
country but France wosld conduct a
trial otter its sort. When Che lawyer
OF Dreyfus Is wounded and disabled by
an assassin, the court goes straight on,
taking no recess q await the recovery
OF the advocate. II in England or the
United States the court would have ID
Journed at once and the prisoner be
not left helpless.
Colonel Picquart is indeed a fine hero
and man Of honor. He boldly tells the
truth in behalf Of the prosecuted prison
er. His testimony is indeed brave and
most manly under the circumstances.
He had been forbidden TO tell what he
knew by a superior officer. But his re.
ply was, Il annot carry the secret TO
my grave" General Grouse was the un-
worthy soldier who ordered him to
silence, and that no one would be any
wiser. An exchange says:
After a plot to bring about his mur-
der by the bloodthirsty Touraregs OF
the interior Of Africa had miscarried,
and he had been tried and condemned
ON a trumped-up charge, Picquart de-
ciared: Tonight I shall perhaps sleep
in the prison of Cherche-Midi But I
want the people to know, if there be
found in my cell the rope of Lemercier-
Picard or the 2 Of Henry, that I
" been assassinated. / am not the
sort OF man to commit suicide Again,
the night before going upon the witness
stand at RenneS, he said to companions,
who were disposed to be gloomy touch
ing the outlook for Dreyfus: Have
confidence; truth is stronger than all
other things"
Another rumor is that Dreyfus will
be found guilty and the president will
pardon him. 1t is both comedy and
tragedy that are playing at Rennes.
1t is said to be also a burlesque of the
first order. 1t is a curious court when
witnesses against a prisoner become
also prosecuting attorneys.
1t is also said that unanmity is not
necessary to conviction. The New
York Tribune says that ga vote of five
to two is sufficient. Thus, if five vote
for condemnation and two for acquittal,
Captain Dreyfus will be condemned. If
only four vote against him and three
for him, he will be acquitted by a
favoring minority If five vote against
him, but be not agreed upon a sentence,
he will receive the lightest punishment
suggested by any OF them" While a
light sentence and a pardon may to
some extent relieve France of some in
fanny, the sympathy of the best part Of
the civilized world will continue with
the outraged and terribly afflicted pris-
oner. The Philadelphia Record thinks
the decision for five years imprison-
ment would also satisfy the military
party and its champions, since they
would escape the qualification Of being
branded fools or liars through the ac-
quittal and reinstatement of the prison
er. The anti Semites would be content
by the purgatiOn of the army of a Jew,
and the prime object of the French
government, which is to dispose Of the
'affaire' and end agitation, would be at
tanned" But the men and women Of a
| proper sense Of justice and with pro-
found sympathy with the wronged and
| oppressed will not be satisfied with any
thing short of acquittal. The s~coundrels
| and co~nspirators richly deserve the pill
lory Of universal public condemnation
| as we'll as the severest punishment pos
| sible under the laws Of France. Hang
ing is really too good for the liars and
| assassinS.