Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-02-25

I link rather in a mighty chain. It is
a part of an ever widening circle.
Rotary is as hands clasped across tie
the sea. Rotary is a cog in a piece
Of powerful machinery-a cog in a
great wheel whose turning increases
the moral power and spiritual effic-
iency of the world.
/ The first Rotary club was org3 n
lied in Chicago. February -. 1905 by
Paul p. Harris and three Chicago
business men. To Paul P. Harris
belongs the credit for originating tile
idea. The early meetings were he'd
in business Offices. and for several
months the growth in membership
was aglow. In the autumn OF 1905
the Chicago club printed its first
| Roster containing the names of 10
active and two honorary members.
OF the ID active members in this
early Roster. nine are still prominent
In the active membership OF the
original Chicago club. Paul P. Har-
ris il today President Emeritus OF
International Rotary. Harry L.
Ruggles. one of the original group.
introduced the feature of song into
| Rotary and today he is one of the
official song leaders of the Chicago
club. From this small group of 10
loyal members in 1905, Rotary has
grown in II years to a membership
! of $1,000. with clubs in more than
1000 cities embracing % countries
/ of the world.
The % countries or geographical
divisions, already invaded by Inter-
national Rotary. in the order in
which they came in Rotary. are the
United States and Canada; Ireland.
England and Scotland, Cuba, Pana-
ma. India. Argentina. Spain, Japan,
! Mexico, France. Union of South
Africa, Australia. New Zealand and
Newfoundland.
Little did Paul Harris and his few
/ friends of the first club dream that
Rotary was to encircle the world in
II years. Literally it has done that.
Organized at Chicago, the idea
thence to Great Britain and Ireland.
to India, TO Australia, to South At
RIGA and back again almost to the
place Of birth. Club No. 1901 having
recently been organized at Gary. Ind.
In all these years, and though en-
circling the earth, not a single 1all-
ure has been recorded among the
more than 1000 clubs. No charter
| has been forfeited. no club has died.
/ or failed to pay dues to International
Rotary.
Just how Rotary works out among
men of different race, language ana
creed is made plain by the expert
ence of Rotary clubs in Belfast and
Dublin, Ireland. During the dark
DAYS of Irelands recent agitation for
liberty, and when Irish parties were
opposing each other. the members OF
the Rotary clubs of Belfast and Dub
lin met together and worked togeth-
er. The president of the Belfast
club. himself a we'll known newspa-
per man, in reporting this Significant
| fact has said: Rotary aims at the
heart and character OF men, there
fore. can embrace all men OF heart
and character and combine them IN
common, benefcient effort, no mat
ter what their politics or religion.
That is the secret OF the great
strength of Rotary"
The lines Of Rotary are indeed far
flung, Paul Harris and his three
business associates built better than
they knew. The appeal OF Rotary
looms big today. 1t is an unselhsh
appeal and finds response in the
heart and conscience of men every
where. Yet this appeal Is not new
for the spirit OF Rotary but gives
emphasis to the Sermon on the
Mount. and the Sermon on the
Mount is an expression in language
of the soul of the world. Rotary is
democratic and human. Its feet are
on the earth, but it has hitched Its
wagon to star. Rotary recognizes
manhood; it dignifies labor; it COM
mands strength to serve.
Though practical and ethical and
founded on fellowship and service
the principles of Rotary are tied INTO
the worlds great sentiments, and are
all sufficient to inspire men to walk
the earth among their fellows. their
faces to the light.
Rotary is more than passing 1ao
or fancy. It is more than playful
hour. 1t is more than name ana
numbers. Rotary is vital moral
force. It lays commands upon US all
II calls for the best in US.
Tonight would emphasize Rotary
as a thing lifted up. and l 90 THIS
lest we forget.