The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-15
RIGHT OF CLEMENCY
DEFINED BY ASOUITH

now exercised by tho Homo Secretary.
consequently, that there is nothing TO
prevent King George. or any other
i'nsi ish sovereign who possesses tho
necessary amount OF vigor, from re-
sunling without further process the
enjoyment OF this prerogative, to which
ne Is clearly entitled TO this day. by tho
law Of the land
In view Of tho comment which has
neen excited by the refusal Of tho
legion or Honor to Sarah Bernhardt,
Oh the occasion OF the New Year, Il
may be as well to explain the reasons
why she has again failed 10 receive 1t,
although nominated and strongly
recommended for tho distinction by tho
new new minister OF public Instl lction and
fihe Arts Rene Niviani He demand
Gu the red ribbon for her, In recusnf-
non OF her services in spreading
french culture abroad.
Whiie the President of tho republiu
anu the Cabinet ministers arc free 10
NOMINATE any Frenchinan or rorciuner
Tor the Legion OF Honor which Ia tho
principal national order OF Franco
the name has to be passed upon by the
grand chancellor and by tho council
OF the order. and II liz not until tho
name has received their approval that
the honor Is bestowed
mo grand chancellor OF the order.
nearly always veteran general OF
'ho greatest distinction. aelec.eI rron
among tho knights grand cross OF
the order. while tho council comprises
| 'nree other generals of divisions three
vice -udnirals. II leading member or
inc institute OF France, leading
member OF the Academy of France. the
president OF the Supreme Court OF Ap-
peal or France the president of the
couHcii OF state. as we'll as an ordinary
member OF that body, and one or two
hiRh dignitarieS In the order who havo
served france abroad In the capacity
vi ambassador. BY law. tho council
nus composed, Is required to main
am The prestige of the order. to in
'estisatc the antecedents of . every
'andidato- proposed for the distinction.
10 par nominees whose record does not
comply with the requirements OF honor
ana respectability. and to suspend
rom me order or TO eSpel from It's
ranks wearcrs or the red ribbon who
naVe peen guilty OF diahonorable con-
.ucl' even though II does not bring
tnein within the clutches OF tho GRIM
nal law.
NOW. although Sarah Bcrnhardt liz
nc foremost dramatic artistic OF her
Ime In France. and enjoys altogether
International fame as an actress vct
her private life, especially in her
'ouhser days. has not been entirely
CONVENTIONAL Indeed. her son. Mauric.
"e'hhardt' upon HON she lavishes 40
huch aHection and so much OF her
"e"ith was born out OF wedlock. tho
words father unknown" nRurtuc ON
nis certificate OF birth.
NO secret whatever Ia over made of
'his ifrcsularity. which orcnds that
ense or propriety and OF respectable
" mat, In spite OF the Impressions
10 inc contrary that prevail nbroan is
worry marked 4 characteristic of rho
sreat mass OF French people. II
would not do TO offend all these
hofeoVer. there are many disti,-
suished veterans OF the army nnd
navy VINO have won tho Cross Of the
legion OF Honor for conspicuous gar
.ahtTy under tho fire. OF the ene,nv.
mere are also many respected SER
wants or he state who have earned
,he'r red ribbon by years OF merltor,-
Gus labor In behalf OF tho nation and
az .hese would recent the bestowal
or the Legion OF Honor upon a woman
OF sarah Borrhnrdt's past.
it must be remembers cd that Frenc7,
soldiers and sailors are forced 10 se-
lute every nearcr OF tho cross There.
iore. those who wear the cross should
oe' IKE Caesars wife. not only above
'eproach. but above suspicion.
copyright. 1914, by the Brentwood
Company