Papier à lettre

Déjà dactylographié à gauche :

The Metropolis Contract Co.

Office of the president,

40 Wall Street

Room 57.

À la main :

New York, Feb 24^th 1898

Emile Zola,

            Dear Sir,

                        In the grand diapason of the American prep expressing its universal approbation of your course and admiration for the self sacrificing heroism with which you have adhered to it, the small note sounded by an individual wholly a stranger to you, will hardly be heard. Nevertheless, I wish to express to you my personal feeling, which is I am well assured shared by all intelligent American who appreciate manhood and love justice.

            We have admired you as an author ; we honor you as a true and brave man. The personality of Dreyfuss (sic) is of secondary importance, the principle of justice involved of such magnitude tha it concerns all men worthy to be free.

            Although not a friend of that unfortunate wretch, not his co-religionist, perhaps ever finding antipathetic to you the most distinctive characteristics of his personality, you have dared in his behalf to encounter the animosity of the interested rascality of the army. The rancorous hate of the ignorant multitude and the malignity of a court organized fo your condemnation. That you have done this, will be an imperishable glory for your name.

            Earnestly we wish for your triumph, confidently we hope for its ultimate achievement. Our hearts are with you.

            Very sincerely

Signature : J. Honnelly