The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-08-23
EVEN JouAusT REspECTFUL.
Remarkable Reception to the Chief


his wife and physicians. The others con-
tanned friends of the lawyer and some police
inspectors. The crowd about the Lycee
building rushed up to NJ. Labori's carriage,
and a number Of people eagerly thrust their
hands through the windows TO greet the
distinguished lawyer. When NJ. Labor de-
scended he was surrounded by friends and
a hundred hands pressed his, while he was
assailed with all sorts Of questions, to which
he smilingly replied: II am going on well,
my friends. thank you. Thank you!'
AS NJ. Labori. still accompanied by Nine.
Labori and a physician, entered the court
room the audience greeted him by standing
up and there was a general roar of APP
plause, accompanied by the clapping Of
hands, which was distinctly heard in the
streets. Tears sprang to the eyes OF the
wounded man, who was evidently deeply
affected by the warm welcome accorded him.
Among those who greeted NJ. Labor were
Generals Billot and Mercier, who courteous
ly inquired as to his condition.
The lawyer looked very well, considering
his recent experience. He walked quite
briskly. but held his left arm close to his
side. in order not to disturb the wound.
Counsel was conducted to a light, we'll
| cushioned armchair. instead of the ordinary
CdHt-DOllOIu CllClT, DcHlIQ lit ldDlc set
aside for the lawyers. Nine. Labori. who
entered the courtroom ahead of her hus-
band. also received a hearty greeting. AS
| she took a seat in court she was surrounded
/ by friends, who overwhelmed her with con-
gratulations on her husbands recovery, to
which she smilingly responded.
AT first the audience seemed to be appre-
hensive that Colonel J%ouaust. president of
the court. might treat the applause of NJ.
Labori as a demonstration which would
warrant him in cleating the court. 1t be-
gan, therefore. with a few mid claps of the
hands. but was soon followed by general APP
plause on the part of the whole audience,
with the exception of a few standing at the
back OF the courtroom. AS NJ. Labor shook
hands with Generals Biliot and Mercier, who
smilirgly congratulated him on being able
to reappear in the case, the lawyer thanked
them for calling at his residence while he
was in bed.
Dreyfus entered the courtroom soon after
ward. and having saluted the judges. turned
to M. Labori with outstretched hand, a
smile of keen pleasure lighting up his pale
and usually impressive features. The lawyer
took the prisoners hand and shook it
warmly. whereupon Dreyfus gave him an
other look OF gratitude and took his seat in
front OF the counsel's table with his back
toward them.
Col. Jouaust next read from a paper
an address to NJ. Labor. the tone of the
president being quite sympathetic. The law
yer made an impassioned reply. He was
deeply affected, and his voice was clear,
though not so strong as before he was shot.
He was very nervous and excited, and
swerved to and fro as he delivered his reply.
His hearers were profoundly impressed. NJ.
Labori's reply to the president considerably
fatigued him, and he sat down flushed and
holding his side. He afterward once or
twice nervously twitched his fingers, and
an expression fitted over his face as though
he were suffering.
Mime. Rejane, the celebrated actress, was
among those present in court to-day. She
made the trip to Rennes especially to see
the trial and the return of NJ. Labor into
the case. and she was one of those who ap-
plauded the most heartily his entry into the
courtroom.
The president of the court, Colonel
J%ouaust. on taking his seat, turned to NJ.
Labori. and amid impressive silence, read
an address as follows:
ALLOW me. Maitre Labori, to express to
you the unanimous sentiments of the court
martial at the odious attempt to which you
nearly fell a victim. This unspeakable act
has excited everywhere, especially among
the members of the court-martial, the keen
est Indignation. GApplause.1 We are glad
II did not have grave consequences to you,
and that the skillful and devoted attention
iavished upon you permit you to resume
your duties to-day" IApplause.l
In spite of the Presidents exhortation not
to fatigue himself NJ. Labori replied: Mon
sieur lie President: Permit me, notwith-
standing my weakness and emotion, to say
a word in reply TO those you have done me
the honor TO address to me In such deeply
touching terms. 1t was for me q visitation
of a particularly painful nature to be struck
down at the time when this case was be-
ginning to realize my beautiful dream OF
the last few years. namely. to plead this
case In all its amplitude before a tribunal
of soldiers. That was my aspiration and
that will explain to you my emotion and sor-
row as well as my joy to-day. 1 will not re-
vert 10 that, but I wish to thank all friends
or foes or Indifferent people who have hon.
ored me with these signs of sympathy OF
which / am deeply sensible, and / thank
you. Mr.. President, and members of the
court-martial and also all those eminent
men, though / have not the honor OF know
ing them except in the course of these Ions
struggles In which We nave met and in the
progress OF which faces of adversaries end
by smiling a little. like the faces Of friends,
or at least like those of old acquaintances
who have expressed their sympathy.
thank you, friends and colleagues, even the
humblest correspondent, who have done me
the honor to write TO me without giving
their address, because their marks Of SYM
patty, though coming from the humblest
abodes. were also the most sincere and the
most touching.
Il resume my place In court rather 10
hear than to speak. II 1 am less active /
shall bring no less consciousness and no less
good temper In my work. 1t is a diff
cult task We are all performing. You are
the arbiters, and who will render Justice,
We the a~uxiliaries. But all OF this will helm
US on for we shall have the sense of duty
done. Let US now continue the proceedings
in which We have yet TO pass through many
vicissitudes. Thanks 20 the fullness of these
Investigations we shall see emerged from
them perfect truth and complete justice
making for peace"
In conclusion NJ. Labori said that they
now had the right TO hope and declared
that protests and r-ecriminations after the
success of the work OF justice must be re-
garded as inadmissable and that II must be
known that error has ever a larger share
In human affairs than treachery." lap
plause-l