, 1923-09-24
COOLIDGE IN
FIRST SPEECH

SoA Ahee OhoJ
act OF legislation, thinking that It
can unload its burden on the gov
eminent and be relieved from
further effort It does not under,
tako to assume responsibility for
all humanity. But 1t realizes that
redemption comes only through a
sacrifice. When a crisis nrises, IT
does not hesitate TO go out ana
mako whatever sacrifice Is neces.
sary to master the occasion.
TT ia this kind Of practical IDEAL.
ism that is represented in the his.
tory of u country, a deep faith
in spiritual things, tempered by n
hard common sense adapted to the
needs Of this world. 1t has been
Illustrated in the character Of men
who planted colonies In the wilder.
hess and raised up great states
around tho church and the school
house, who bought their ~independ,
cnce with their blood and cast out
slavery by the sacrifice of their
hravest sons; who offered their
lives to give more freedom TO op,
pressed peoples; and who went to
the rescue of Europe with their
treasure and their men when their
own liberty and tho liberty OF the
world was in peril. but when tho
victory was secured, retired from
tho field unencumbered by spells
independent. unattached and un.
bought. still continuing to con.
tribute lavishly to their relief OF
the stricken and destitute Of the
old world; and who, but recently
being asked for five million dollars
Il Immediately gave about twice
that amount for tho afflicted people
OF japan. Such has been tho mora
purpose that has marked tho con.
duct Of country up to the
present hour. The American people
have adopted. and ara moi
likely TO adopt any other course.
"a contemplation of these prin
ciples and the works which they
have wrought, both IN our country
and among tho other nations. for
this spirit il world wide, Is helpful
and reassuring. They arc attempt
ing the convincing evidences thai
Justify u faith in mankind. TheJ
reveal tho fundamental strength o.
civilization. They demonstrate thu
supremacy Of the spiritual life.
Here we behold the race strug
Cling up through barbarism, over
coming Ignorance. establishing
order. i%nstituting government. pain
fully working out their W destin,
under free institutions, acknowledg
ing and accepting the truths Of re
llgion. gradually casting aside sci
flshness, endowing tho great char
tics which heal tho body. inform
the mind and minister to tho soul
making on every hand unendlnl
sacrifices that the truth may b
supreme.
Such is tho strength of the in
fluenco of which this organization
Is one of tho representatives. 1t &
inconceivable that II could havl
come thus far only to retreat, tina
it could have succeeded up TO I'll,
| present time only to fail.
These ars the encouraging. tn,
hopeful things of tho world. Will
II is necessary to admit that prog
ress has been slow. that there hav,
been. and undoubtedly will be
many disheartening failures. I be
lieve the conclusion inescapnbl,
that there Is every warrant for con
fidence. Tho encouraging feature Of
these results lies in the fact thai
they come from the voluntary &c
lions Of the people. They are mo-
mandates from privileges, they ar,
not, imposed from without, theJ
are a result from within. they dis
close tho c~onquering. the victorioui
struggle OF a higher nature. They
do not represent n law of man, theJ
reveal n law of God.
"It is for these reasons, that ]
take a large satisfaction in extend
ing n welcome to this convention
ana acting as its presiding officer
1 respect IL for what It has donr
and what Il is. I am mindful of It,
purpose and its origin. This organi
zation had its beginning in the day.
Of Abraham Lincoln. II is repre-
sentative OF tho dominant infiuen
ces OF his time. 1t pnrtakes Of hi,
spirit. It shows tho way to a larger
freedom. our country could Aecur,
no higher commentator. no greater
place in history, than TO have q
correctly stated that the Red Cros,
Is truly American"
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