Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-09-25

! bravest sons; who offered their lives
! to give more freedo INTO oppressed
| peoples; and who went to the rescue
of Europe with their treasure and
| their men when their own liberty
and the liberty Of the world was in
peril, but when the victory was Sc
cure, retired from the field unincum-
/ bered by spoils, independent. unat-
tached, and unbought, still contin-
uing to contribute lavishly to the
relief of the stricken and destitute
of the old world and who, but re-
Gently, being asked for $5,000,000.
Immediately gave about twice that
amount for the afflicted people of
Japan. Such has been the moral
purpose that has marked the con-
duct of. our country up to the pres
ent hour. The American people have
never adopted, and are not 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 the other nations, for
this spirit is worldwide, is helpful
and reassuring. They are among
the convincing evidences that justi-
fly our faith in mankind. They re-
veal the fundamental strength of
civilization. They demonstrate the
supremacy of the spiritual life.
Here we behold the race strug-
cling up through barbarism, over
coming ignorance, establishing or
der, instituting government, pain
fully working out their own destiny
under free institutions, acknowledge
ing and accepting the truths of re-
ligion, gradually casting aside self
ishness, endowing the great chart
ties which heal the body, inform the
mind, and minister to the soul, MAX
ing on every hand unending sacri-
fees that the truth may be SUI
preme. Such is the strength of the
Influence of which this organiza-
1t is inconceivable that it could
have come thus far only to retreat,
that it could have succeeded up to
the present time only to fail.
"These are the encoura ging, the
hopeful things of the world. While
it is necessary to admit that prog
ress has been slow, that there have
been and undoubtedly will be, many
disheartening failures. l believe the
conclusion to be unacceptable that
there is every warrant for conf
dence. The encouraging feature of
these results lies in the fact that
they come from the voluntary &C
tons of the people. They are not
mandates from privilege, they are
not possible from without, they
rise from within, they disclose the
conquering, the victorious struggle
of a higher nature. They do not
represent a law of man. they re-
veal a law of God.
1T is for these reasons that I
take a large satisfaction in extend
ing a welcome to this convention,
and acting as its presiding officer.
L respect it for what it has done,
and what it is. / am mindful of
it's purpose and it's origin. This
organization had it's beginnings in
the day of Abraham Lincoln. 1t is
representative of the dominant in
fluences of his time. 1t partakes of
his spirit. 1t shows the way to a
larger freedom. Our country could
secure no higher commentator, no
greater place in history, than to
have it correctly said that the Ped
Cross is truly American"
President Coolidge presided for
short time at the morning session.
Chairman Payne announced that
the fund for relief in Japan amount
ed to approximately $9,500,000. of
which 100000 was on the way to
the stricken area in the form of
clothing, food and medical supplies.
Ambassador Woods in Toxic had
just cabled, he said, that four prov
inces had been devastated, 100000
people were destitute and homeless,
100000 homes had been entirely de.
stroyed, and 100000 people were
sorely in need of shelter for the
winter.
Chairman Payne took occasion to
deny assertions which he said had
been made by certain persons that
the Red Cross had retired from relief
work in Greece before its work was
completed. The society is an emer-
gency organization, he said, and as
soon as the first emergency is met
it is the function of the organization
to leave the field.
Judge Hubert Utterback, of lowe,
was selected as chairman of the con
vention, and DR.. Thomas e. Green
secretary.