Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-30
THE MAN AND THE HOUR.

There seems no doubt that in France
the man and the hour have met in the
person Of General de Gallifet lie is living
up not only 10 the letter but to the spirit
of the declaration he made when he ac
cepted tho position OF Minister Of War.
And what IS more, it is evident that he
IS determined that the military cabal or
the nation and all who sympathize with
them shall also live up 20 that declara-
ton. or he will know the reason why.
During the last commune De Gallifet did
not In his capacity as an army officer
hesitate 20 purify the atmosphere with
gunpowder." In his capacity as Minister
of War he does not hesitate to take the
army by the throat with an iron hand
and shake IL into a realization of its
position as subordinate TO the civil au-
thorites.
In the miserable and disgraceful bust
ness commencing with tho outrage upon
Dreyfus and including the trial of Zola,
the prosecution Of Picquart. the cowardice
Of more than one ministry, the truck
ling OF the French Parliament 10 the
worse element Of the nation. and at
tempts 10 ovorawe the highest judicial
tribunal In the land. France reached the
parting OF the ways. The issue was
whether she was to be civil republic
or the plaything of military despots,
eteeped IN corruption and inflated almost
20 the point OF bursting with arrogance.
IL is true that the nation gradually broke
away from its hidcous orgie OF injustice
and entered the risht path, but this 1t did
with such halting and timid step as TO
make II almost certain that it would not
persevere. y man was needed that would
load ii. or. II necessary. drag it or drive
It, along that way 70 the goal at which
st ends. Unless all signs fail in De Gal
lifet that man was found.
one OF the first acts OF the new Min
lister Of War was to teach some Of the
highest and most presumptuous officers
IN the military service Of France that
they were the servants Of the people
and the republic. and not, as they had
assumed, their masters: and he accentu-
ated this lesson by summanly transfer
ring from one place TO another generals
who had been too free in criticising the
civil authorities or had endcavored 10
stir up feeling that would be calculated
10 influence the coming Dreyfus court
martial lie not only commended Isl
lence In ranks" but silence in line and
stan, and was swift to make pay the
penalties those among the latter who
dared 10 dsobey. Next he ordered that
The kennes court shall coniine It's in
curry and its judgment entirely 10 the
points enumerated by the Court OF Casa
uon-that is to say, to the questions OF
the authorship Of tho bordcreau, now
confessedly the work Of Esterhazy, and
OF the betrayal OF the documents there
in described. There is 10 be no introduc-
tion OF new charges. which the enemies
OF the prisoner have in their desperation
trumped up. This Is but justice 10 Drey-
fus. and there is no room for speculation
a. to the result Acquittal-and honorable
acqmtta.-to the confusion Of all in any
wise implicated in the atrOcious con-
spiracy against the defendant is fore
zone conclusion. But the order has a
broader significance than that involved
In doing justice 10 and making repara-
ton 70 Dreyius. In IL the supreme repre-
sentative and controlling power OF the
military establishment OF France. a sol
der OF monarchical antecedonts who is
devoted 20 the army. and could sway Its
rank and file any way he might wish.
bows absolutely to the civil authority,
He recognizes that in France the milf
tafy Is subordinate 10 the civil govern
meni declares that the decree OF the
Court OF Cessation must be respected, and
his words and deeds since he became
Minister OF War. together with his pre-
vlous record for frmnoss. physical and
moral courage, and loyalty 10 duty place
IL beyond contention that ne will see
that Il Is respected. come what may.
In short De Gallifet has served notice
OF determination 10 see true republican
ism triumph in France. and the world