New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-09-24
Discusses Practical Idealism
at Annual Convention
Says World Cannot Yet
Abandon Armed Force.

Washington. Sept. .t.-A deep faith
In spiritual things, tempered by
hard common sense adapted 70 tbs
needs of the world is the kind OF prae,
teal idealism that u represented IN
the history OF America, President
Coolidge said today. In an address be-
fore the annual convention OF the
American Red Cross. The people, he
added. are not likely to adopt any
other eourss.
The ideaiism OF which he spoke. the
president said. was illustrated by the
men who went 70 the rescue ef
Europe when their own liberty and
the liberty OF the world was in peril.
but who after victory was SECURED, re-
tired from the heid, "uneneumbered
by spoiis. independent. unattached and
unbousht."
Praises Practical Idealism.
President cooiidEe's address, his
FIRST formal public utterance. was de-
vited 10 praise OF the qualities which
have made the Red Cross success
Chief among these. he said. was It's
practical ideaiisn.
The American Red Cro1 IL a mod
ern application OF an ancient prin-
ciple. the president said. THE idea OF
charity Is very old. II IL included In
the teachings OF the earliest philoso-
piers. II Is one OF the fundamental
doctrines OF our Bible. II Is spirit
ual conception OF human relationship.
II Is life In obedience to the things
that are unseen.
4. =, 80 NJ "A
prone to put their trust In other
things and have failed. They have
sought for power, through material
resources alone. They have thought
II might be gained by the accumula-
tion of great riches.
They have attempted TO rely upon
the naked force Of armies and navies,
conquering by the might OF the sword.
gut these forces are not the ultimate
rulers Of mankind. They are neces-
sary for security as police and crimi-
nal Coats and bolts and bars are
necessary. They are adjuncts of peace.
But they are negative forces They
do not create, they resist. They are
not the ultimate force in the world |
They do not make the final determi-
nations among men. Over them all is
a higher power.
Cannot Disregard Force.
Mankind has not yet, cannot yet.
discard the use of these forces. 1t is
however that the great
nations have at last agreed upon their
limitation. But it is even more signi-
ficant that civilization is coming to
rely more and more upon moral force.
It is because the Red Cross has been
a practical application of that prin-
ciple, that 1t has been such tremen-
dous success. IT makes its appeal for
support directly to the conscience of
mankind. It does not attempt to func
tion through the direct action of or
yanized government 1t does not have
N 1t any element of compulsion. 1t is
The voluntary offering of the people
themselves, whenever and wherever
Ia emergency has resulted in human
suffering, to the extent of its ability
{ administers whatever may be neces-
AIRY for temporary relief.
Hope OF Real Progress.
1T is in this direction that there
les the hope of real progress. The
ncient ideals of human brotherhood, ,
II service, the application of the gold :
N rule of peace on earth and good I
will towards men, are idle dreams ]
lnless they can be translated into I
PRACTICAL action. 1t is necessary on the I
,ther hand to avoid the illusions of {
he Missionaries, and on the other hand, /
he indifference of the selfish. Each | I
Individual and each nation owe their I
irst duty to themselves, Beyond that. c
here is no obligation Of the strong to r
erve the weak, but to administer /
UGH service In way that will not {
estroy or degrade by making mendi-
ants but will restore and strengthen
y making character,
1T is the policy which help In an d
but realizes that finally I
ach individual and each nation must Ii
york out their own destiny a
THE constant need of civilization Is c
or a practical idealism of this kind. .
/ does not attempt to perform the p
impossible. It does not seek to re- h
orm merely by an act of legislation a