Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-16
THE PERDlTIoN OF FRANCE.

= = - A-AA3~4 = AOAN ~ = 49, -
The first condemnation OF Dreyfus
| through the Vaccinations Of military
| cabal formed against him, was done in
n dark corner, and was secured by
perjury, forgery and the suppression of
all evidence that could help the ac-
cused. After long-suffering in exile
and prison, he has revision. eo-called.
Of his former trial, with its forgeries,
perjurles and suppressions exposed,
confessed and doubly damned by the
suicide of some Of the most active of
the conspirators against him. Able
counsel for the prisoner. defended him
this time, the infamy of the plot against
him was held up to universal gaze. and
not only was the innocence of Dreyfus
established, but the sure guilt of others
was established and 1t was demon
strated that 1t was impossible for the
accused to have committed the treason.
In spite of all, he is again condemned
by his military Judges at Rennes. Ills
first condemnation was in a corner; this
is in the full and open light of day, with
the aWnOlG WOtlG OH anu
ing eagerly. In contempt of heaven
and earth, his judges again pronounce
him guity,-and to the shame OF
France Incurred by the first foul injus-
ticc is added this ineffable infamy of
second conviction against all the evil
dence, positive and Observation-Disclosures.
against all the probabilities and pos
siblitics: showing a lodged and deep
seated determination to FIX on Dreyfus
4 crime of which he Is to be made the
sacrlfcial scape-goat for the whole
French army. All! he is an Israelite!
That explains the crime!" say the
French military. "-Ay," the world re-
siponds,-"it explains your crime, your
infamy, founded in nothing but preju-
dice and hate of race!'
1t Is the perdition Of France. Neither
nations, nor MEN, can outrage the con-
victions and sentiments OF the world
with impunity. Amazed, aghast the
world stands horror-stricken at this
verdict Mt Renncs, but With n vlsibly
gathering storm of obloquy to pour on
the court and France. Nor will the in
dignation of mankind stop there. Gov
ernments may not protest. nor take any
formal notice of the Injustice done to
Dreyfus; but this performance at
Rennes puts n stigma upon Frenchmen
the mark of Cain-that they must
bear forever and everywhere outside
the bounds of France ut least and all
men will point the finger OF scorn and
shame at them because of this cruel and
shameful deed at Renncs.
If 1t were but the act Of the military,
we could understand the class and mar
row feeling that eagerly caught at
anything to relieve Frenchmcn of the
army of the imputation OF treason; for
though Dreyfus by birth and French
law Is Il Frenchman, yet the race-llne.
in common prejudice, is still kept dis
tlnct against the Hebrews all over
Europe; and II only needs the least
stimulus from their own religion for
Frenchmen to break into n connagra-
ton against a people whom they have
been taught TO regard as plotters
against both their church and STATE.
This popular animus in France was re
Gently set forth very strongly by ex-
Senator Eustis, Of Louisiana, and
former Ambassador to France. in a
publication which the Virgnian-P Pilot
not Ions since quoted on this point.
All France, in fact, Without regard
to party, is involved in this perdtion
and will be put under the han of OK
communication by the public opinion OF
ali nations, until the verdict OF Rennes
Is reversed and Dreyfus vindlcated;
and we arc glad to sec already that a
motion for another revision has been
made. Let us hope for it, with better
results Amen.