The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1899-09-15


the celebrated Dreyfus case at Rennes,
France, Saturday afternoon. For the
second time this artillery captain was
condemned for treason, the specific
charge being the furnishing of secret
French military information to the
German government
The verdict closed a second trial by
courtmartial, the trial being in many
respects the most celebrated before a
military tribunal in the history of the
world.
Though a majority of those in the
courtroom fully expected the verdict
they were completely Supplied when
it was given, and the silence which
prevailed in the room and the way
men turned pale and caught their
breaths was more impressive than any
other manifestation could have been.
As the audience left the courtroom
fully 10 or Is men were crying open
ly, and the majority of those present
walked quietly down the street for
more than a block without speaking a
word. 1t was like a funeral process
sion.
Meanwhile tragedy was being en-
acted in the little room off the court
room, where Dreyfus listened to the
reading of the verdict. He had been
told the result by his lawyers and had
wept bitterly, but when in the pres
ence of the officials of the courtmartial
he listened impassiyely to the SEN
tence.
The general belief is that Dreyfus
will be pardoned, but this will not sat
isly his friends, who vehemently de-
clare that they will continue the bat
tie until the judgment is reversed.
The verdict, they gay, is directed
more against the Jews than against
Dreyfus, and if allowed to stand will
make their existence in France impos-
sible.
The appearance on the streets when
Rennes awoke Saturday morning left
no doubt in the mind of anyone that
the final crisis of the great trial had
been reached. Instead OF scattering
gendarmes guarding the vicinity of
the prison and the Lycee, the whole
town bristled with soldiers, all the
streets near the court were guarded
at intervals by double lines of infan-
try.
The last session of the courtmartial
opened at 1880 a, M, when Demange
promptly resumed his speech for the
defense which was interrupted Friday
by the adjournment of the court
The audience listened to his remarks
with the most serious attention and he
was closely followed by the judges.
Counsel said he was convinced the
bordereau was written in his natural
hand by Esterbazy. There was entire
lack of motive in the case of Dreyfus,
while there was every motive on the
part of Esterhazy. Dreyfus was rich
and happy; he had two children who
we're his pride and Joy, and wife of
whose devoted courage all were aware
everything a man should desire.
Why should he have risked all that?
believe me, added M. Dcmange,
"my conviction comes from an honest
heart Twas convinced that the judges,
with the doubt which will remain on
their minds, will find it impossible tc
declare their prisoner guilty, for they
will rather turn their eyes to the men
hiding on the other side of the chan.
nell"
After this NJ. Demange, with his
voice broken with emotion, tears
streaming down his face and hands
trembling, concluded his brilliant fight
of oratory as follows:
"My task is now accomplished. I
is for you to do yours. 1 pray God,
exclaimed counsel, lifting his arms
toward heaven. 81 pray God that YOU
will restore to France the concord O
which she has so much need.
Then turning to the audience, M
Demange added in conclusion GAS t,
you, whoever you may be, Frenchmon
be you with me or against me, finding