The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-09-24
IN
HIGH PRAISE
OF RED CROSS
Is Practical Application of
High Ideal of America.
President Says
IDEA is VERY OLD
Principle Is Modern Applica-
tion of Ancient Principle
of Charity, He Says

Washington, Sept. PA deep
faith in the spiritual things temper
ed by the hard common sense
adapted to the needs of the world is
the kind of practical idealism that
is represented in the history of
America, President Coolidge said to-
day in an address before the annual
convention of the American Red
Cross. The people, he added, are
not likely to adopt any other course.
The idealism Of which he spoke,
the president said, was illustrated
by the men who went to the rescue
Of Europe when their own liberty
and the liberty of the world was at
peril but who after victory was Sc
cured retired from the field "unen-
numbered by spoils, independent, un-
attached and unbought."
President Coolidge's address, his
first formal utterance, was devoted
to praise of the equality which had
made the Red Cross a success. Chief
among these, he said, was its prac-
tical idealism.
An Ancien4 Principle
The American Red Cross is .
modern application Of an ancient
principle" the President said, "The
idea Of charity is very old. It is in
cluded in the teachings of the earli-
est philosophers. 1t is one of the
fundamental doctrines of our Bible
period. It is a spiritual conception
Of human relationship. 1t is life in
obedience to the things that are un-
seen."
Throughout history men have been
prones sto put their trust in other
things that have failed. They have
sought for power through material
resources alone. They have thought
that it might be gained through ac-
cumulation Of great riches. They
have attempted to rely upon the
naked force Of armies and navies,
conquering by the might Of the
sword. But these forces are not the
ultimate rulers of mankind. They
are necessary for security as police
and criminal courts and bolts and
bars are necessary. But they are
negative forces. They do not create;
they resist. They are not the ulti-
mate force in the world. They do
not make the\ final determinations
among men. Over them all is q
higher power. !
Cannot Discard Use
Mankind has not, cannot yet. dis
card the use of these forces. It is
significant, however, that the great
nations have at least agreed upon
their limitation. But it is even
more significant that civilization 10
coming to rely more and more upon
moral force. 1t is because the Red
Cross has been practical spplica-
tion Of that principle that it has
been such a tremendous success. It
makes its appeal for support direct
|1y to the conscience of mankind. II
does not attempt to function through
the direct action of organized gov
efnment. II does not have in it any
element of compulsion. It is the
voluntary offerings Of the people
themselves. Whenever and wherever
an emergency has resulted in human
sufferings to the extent Of its abili-
ty it administers whatever may be
necessary for temporary relief.
1T is in this direction that there
lies hope of real progress. The
ancient ideal Of human brotherhood
Of service, the application of the
|. golden rule Of peace on earth land
good will toward men are not idle
| Dreams"