Ramsey Milholland by Booth Tarkington
page 70 of 155 (45%)
page 70 of 155 (45%)
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I have shown, _all_ war is wrong, the case may be simplified as follows:
All war is morally wrong. _Quod erat demonstrandum_. Germany invaded Belgium. Invasion is war. Germany, therefore, did moral wrong. Upon the legal side, as I began by pointing out, Germany confessed in the Reichstag the violation of law. Therefore, Germany was justified in the invasion neither morally nor legally; but was both morally and legally wrong and evil. Ladies and gentlemen of the Lumen Society, I await the refutation 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 nicety that the chairman announced "Four minutes," almost upon the instant of her final syllable; and all faces turned once more to the upholder of the affirmative. "Refutation and conclusion by the affirmative," said the chairman. "Mr. R. Milholland. Two minutes." Therewith, 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 refutation of my opponent, I feel that--I feel that hardly anything more ought to be said." He paused, looked helplessly at his uncontrollable legs, and resumed: "I am supposed to make the reputa--the refutation of my opponent, and I feel that I ought to say quite a good deal more. In the first place, I feel that the invasion has taken place. I am supposed--anyhow I got a postal card that I am supposed to be here to-night. Well, in talking |
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