The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-04-13

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q familiar bit Of him that objected 10
her even more than usual but she had
used half of her time, at least. before
he was able to gather any coherent
from what she was saying.
Even then he caught only fragment,
here and there, and for the rest-so
far as Ramsey was commemorative
might as well have been reciting the
Swedish alphabet.
In spite of the rather startling fee
bleness Of her opponents statement,
Dora went at her task as earnestly as
If it were to confute some monster OF
casuistry. "Thus, having demonstrate
ed that all war is wrong" she said, ap-
preaching her conclusion, ut is scarce
~ necessary to point out that what
ever the actual circumstances OF the
invasion, and whatever the status OF
the case in international law, or Dy
reason Of treaty, or the German oath
to respect the neutrality OF Belgium
which of course was grossly and dis
honorably violated-all this, say, Ia
dies and gentlemen of the Lumen so.
ciety, all this is beside the point OF
morals. Since, as I have shown, all
war is wrong, the case may be simpli-
fed as follows: All war Is moraiiy
wrong. Quod erat demonstrandum.
Germany invaded Belgium. Invasion
is war. Germany, therefore, did moral
wrong. Upon the legal side, as began
by pointing out, Germany confessed IN
the reichstag the violation of law.
Therefore, Germany was justified IN
the invasion neither morally nor legal
ly; but was both morally and legally
wrong and evil. Ladies and gentlemen
of the Lumen society, I await the
REPUTATION Of my opponent!"
Her opponent appeared to be having
enough trouble with his legs, without
taking any added cares upon himself
in the way of refutations. But the
marvellous Dora had calculated the
length of her statement with such
nicely that the chairman announced
-Four minutes" almost upon the in
slant of her final syllable; and all
faces turned once more to the uphold
er of the affirmative. REPUTATION and
conclusion by the affirmative" said the
chairman. "Mr. r. Milholland. Two
minutes"
Herewith, Ramsey coughed as long
as he could cough, and when he felt
that no more should be done in this
way, he wiped his face-again an act
of necessity-and quaveringly began:
Gentlemen and ladies, or ladies and
gentlemen, in making the REPUTATION
of my opponent, feel that feel that
hardly anything more ought to be
said"
He paused, looked helplessly at his
uncomfortable legs, and resumed: u
am supposed to make the reputable
refutation of my opponent, and l feel
that ought to say quite deal more.
In the first place, I feel that the inva.
sion. has taken place. / am supposed
anyhow / got postal card that l
am supposed to be here tonight Well,
in talking over this matter with aecou-
pie of seniors, they told me was sup
posed to claim this invasion was morly
and legally all right. Well" Here,
by some chance, the recollection or a
word of Dora's fickered into his cha
otto mind, and he had brighter mo.
ment. my opponent said she proved
all war Is wrong-or something like
that anyhow. She said she proved 1t
was wrong to fight, no matter what.
Well, If she wasn't a girl, anybody
that wanted to get her to fight could
prob'ly do it." He did not add that he
would be the person to make the ex-
pertinent (if Dora weren't girD, nor
did the thought enter his mind until an
hour or so later. SWELL" he added, Il
suppose there is little more to be
said"
He was so right, in regard to his own
performance, at least, that, thereupon
drying up utterly, he proceeded to
stand, a speechless figure in the midst
of q multitudinous silence, for an eter'
nifty lasting forty-fve seconds. He made
racking effort, and at the end Of this
epoch found words again. I'm making
nv argument in this debate, ! would
state that"
1.-TWO minutes!" said the chairman
''Refutation by the negative. Miss D
Yocum. Two minutes"
II waive Them" said Dora, primly
II submit that the affirmative has no
refuted the argument Of the negative
Every WELL" With his gavel thu
chairman sharply tapped the desk be
fore him. "The question is now be
fore the house. Resolved, that Ger
many is both morally and legally justi
fed in her invasion Of Belgium AL
those in favor Of the"
But here there was an interruption
Of kind never before witnessed dur
ing any proceedings Of the Lumen so
ciety. It came from neither Of the de
baters, who still remained standing a
their desks until the vote settling thei
comparative merits in argumen
should be taken. The interruption
was from the rear row of seats alonI
the wall, where sat new members o
the society, freshmen not upon tn
program Of the evening. A loud nasa
voice was heard from this quarter.