The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-31
EPH SMALL AND THE SQUIRE.
A Dialogue on tho stsndp'int OF Alb
stract Justice.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN--Sir: Eph
Small and I sat In Bph's front yard the
other evening discussing politics. Squire
Emslie. on his way down town. stopped for
a moment to chat with his old friend
MIR Small" he inquired In his formal
manner after we had exchanged greet
ings, what about Ulster7 Are you for or
against home ruler
IL amt neither for ner agin IT," replied
Eph shaking his head II amt Twin In
Ulster"
WELL" protested the squire. you don't
have to live In Ulster to have an opinion
on the subject. do you? There are certain
principles of abstract justice you can
apply to the case"
"Mcbbe," answered Eph, puffing slowly
ut his pipe. Anybody that wants to apply
'em kin do so an welcome Only / got
through settlln' questions from the stand
pint OF abstract Justice. | got to know
the surroundin' an mitigaun' circum-
stances In each case efore ] give my
opeenion. an I got TO know 'cm at fust
hand, too: I won't take nobuddy's word
fer 'em."
"Oh, that's nonaensei' exclaimed the
squire. This Ulster case isn't very DIM
cult after all. It's essentially religious
question rather than IL political ont"
"Assumin's that's right" chuckled Eph,
20 course II makes 1t dead easy TO settle.
They amt nuthin' like releegion to git
men together. Is they Take US. squire.
fer instance. | aln't no Baptist, but ye
are. Ye believe In dppin' and I don't.
But can't git into yer church bekus
prefer TO wash up to home. No dlff'runce,
Ell? Why. man. in abaout a minute, II |
keep on a-talklu'. yen be plumb mad all
through"
"oh, no, | won'tr laughed the squire :
go as far az you like"
"Ye're a-gittin' libral in yer releegion,"
answered Bph. with apparent approval.
(which Ia sign you've passed yer fust
childhood an amt reached yer second"
THAT'S as may be-" said tho squire,
with wave OF his hand. but to return
to tho point, youll surely admit there's
such a thing az abstract jusuce"'
"Sure they Is" agreed Bph. with a
whimsical expression. Il amt denyin' IL,
am /? Only. what Ia III got an idee,"
be continued thoughtfully. that IT'S some
thin like law-kind o. depends on tho
country ye're in or modesty. that depends
on climate; or beauty. that amt nuthn'
bu' what ye've become 'customed to. As
an abstract proposition n ring In tho nose
Is jest as beautfyln' as n ring in tho
ear
Take liberty" he went on. relighting
ton OF the wind they amt no finer
word In the language than liberty Only.
what In It? That's what | want TO know
what Is IL? 70 an mes heerd tell o.
Finland. amt We. squire? Waal, now, the
Films, 'cordln' to all accounts. hev got n
notion abaou, liberty. but 1t don't Jest
jbe with the Roosian ldce,'
quite true" said the squire EN-
phatically. but there Is no doubt as to
who Is right In that case"
Amt. eh?" queried Eph, Struggling his
shoulders. I'm glad We know the inside OF
| It; | don't pay much attention to them
/ foreigners.
AN then. thar was the Beers" he con.
tinued iinperturbably; they had one
notion about liberty an England hac
anuther, AM
There are two sides 20 that question:
| interrupted the squire. stoutly.
1.-TWO is right" commented Eph drily.
AN then. thar's the Phillypienoes." he
went on: they got one notion abaou
liberty an We got nuther. AM"
ION. rot" exclaimed the squire. don
be fool. You know the Filipino'
aren't tit for self-government yet and
wont DO for a long while. What they
need AT present IL protectorate. Wher
we decide they're 1T for sefgovcrnmcn
well give Il TO them. and what's NOR,
Wen see that they enjoy It too
Eph threw back his head and his sldei
| shook with laughter. A casual observer
would have thought that the squire ha,
just told the Old man ripping joke. |
was some time before his mirth subsidized.
What's funny about it?' asked TIT
squire, slightly nettled.
"Oh. nuthln'!' replied Eph "nuthin
Don't mind me. J sometimes Ian withou
no reason ! jest can't help IT,"
ALBANY, July 30. SIMON CRKsL.