San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-24

discard the use of these forces. 1t is
significant, however, that the great ma
tions have at last a.. d upon their
limitation. But it is even more sig
nificant that civilization is coming to
rely more and more upon moral force.
1t is because the Re- Cross has been
a practical application of that prin-
ciple that it has been such tremend-
Gus success. It makes its appeal for
support directly to the conscience of
mankind. 1t does --ot attempt to
function through tn direct alton of
organized government. 1t does not
have in it any element of compulsion.
1t is the voluntary Offering of the
people themselves. Whenever and
wherever an emergency has resulted in
human suffering, to the extent of its
ability it administers whatever may be
necessary for temporary relief.
Hope Of Real Progress.
at is in this direction that there
lies the hope of real progress. The an
cient ideals of human brotherhood, OF
service, the application of the Golden
Rule, of peace on earth and goodwill
toward men, are idle dreams, unless
they can be translated into practical
action. 1t is necessary, on the one
hand, to avoid the illusions of the
visionaries, and, on the other hand,
the indifference of the selfish. Each
individual and each nation owe their
first duty to themselves. Beyond that,
there is no obligation of the strong to
serve the weak, but to administer such
service in a way that will not destroy
or degrade by making mendic.nts, but
will restore and strengthen by making
character. 1t is the policy which helps
in an emergency. but reali:.-5 that, fin
ally, each individual and each nation
must work out their own destiny.
''The constant need of civilization is
for a practical idealism of this kind.
1t does not attempt to perform the i'm
possible. 1t does not seek to reform
merely by an act of legislation, think
ing that it can unload its burden on
the government and be relieved from
further effort. 1t does not undertake
to assume responsibility for all human
ity. But it realizes that REDEMPTION
comes only through sacrifice When
crisis arises it does not hesitate to go
out and make whatever sacrifice is
necessary to master the occasion.
lizard Common Sense"
1T Is this kind of practical idealism
that is represented in the history of
our country, a deep faith in spiritual
things, tempered by a hard common
sense adapted to the needs of this
world. 1t has been illustrated in the
character of men who planted colonies
in the wilderness and raised up great
states around the church and the
school house; who bought their indie
pendence with their blood and cast out
slavery by the sacrifice. of their BRAY
est sons; who offered their lives to
give more freedom to oppressed peo-
pies, 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 secure, retired
from the field unencumbered by spoils,
independent, unattached and unbought.
still continuing to contribute lavishly
to their relief of the stricken and des-
titute of the Old World; and who. but
recently being asked for five million
dollars, Immediately gave about twice
that amount for the afflicted people of
Japan. Such has been the moral pur-
pose that has marked the conduct of
our country up to the resent hour.