The Washington times., 1924-08-29
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To FRAT
THR0NC
Speech at White House Is
Plea for Return to HomeIy
Virtues of Earlier Days

Fraternalism, a spirit of brother
hood, underlying American life,
was proposed as the desirable actu-
ating principle of the nations
solving of its problems, by Presi-
dent Coolidge in an address today
TO delegates to the National Fra
ternal Congress at the White
House.
The speech of the President,
prepared last night before his
departure from his boyhood home
In Vermont, was imbued through
out with the gospel of ''homely
virtues" whose practice the Presi-
dent had so lately seen in the
quiet country, where he had just
spent a brief vacation.
Campaign Issues Ignored.
The President made one reference
to his doctrine of common sense, /"
enunciated in his speech Of accept
ance, saying, at is not necessary to
refer to the desirability or my be-
lief in the general prevalence Of
common sense"
There was no direct reference to
any Of the issues Of the campaign,
no specific mention being made Of
any religious or racial question be-
yond the declaration that real fra
ternalism must be based on the
principles of religion.
The fraternal spirit, the President
declared, emphasizes brotherhood.
It promotes fellowship. The rituals
Of nearly all fraternal organizations
are based on religion. No true
fraternity can rest on any other
conception.
Fundamental Principles.
The spirit Of brotherhood was
characterized as fundamental
principle of our country" by the
President, who declared that with.
out the moving spirit of fraternity,
of a common effort for common
purpose, our government, economic
and social organizations would at
once disintegrate."
The President urged cultivation of
''the spirit Of contentment," point
ing to the oft-repeated criticism
that Americans are eager to seek
wealth and power. II doubt If we
are any more avaricious and grasp.
ing than those of other nations.
he said, Though admit we possess
the enterprise which makes us
more successful.
''I think it would be safe to say
that those Americans who have Sc.
cured great wealth, or have risen
20 places of great power, would all
agree that they are no happier and
no better satisfied than they were
In their days of comparative poverty
and obscurity."
Work. the President said, sis an
activity for an end" always seek
ing to accomplish something. He
emphasized the desirability Of thrift,
without which no institution can
progress; also of loyalty and Of
faith in ones self, country and
fellowmen.
Passage of a child labor amend
ment was favored by the fraternal
congress in resolution adopted
at it's closing business session pre-
ceding the reception by the Presi.
dent at the White House.
The congress, which comprises
representatives Of 100000 mem
bers of fraternal societies who carry
insurance, steered clear Of politics
and decided to take no action for
or against a proposal to indorse
entrance of the United States into
the world court.
The resolution touching on the
child labor amendment stated that
the congress 'reaffirms it's pledge
Of devotion to the best interests OF
childhood of America and urges
the active support by members Of
tht child labor amendment"
Another resolution referred to the
eighteenth amendment as there to
stay" and advocated its enforce
ment. The Near East Relief was
Endorsed. Resolutions were offered
by a committee headed by Mary L.
Downes.
Thomas F. Mcdonald, Chicago, for
twenty-one years secretary ri the
Catholic Order OF ForestefG, was
elected president of the congress by
b unanimous vote yesterday. He
succeeds w. r. Shirley, Muskogee,
Okla, of the American Yeomen.
The congress was assured of the
presidency OF a woman a year
hence in the selection of Miss Bina
president. Miss West. who is prom.
Snent in Michigan politics and
supreme commander OF the Wo.
mans Benefit Association of the
Maccabees. was opposed by Mrs.
Mary r. La Rocca. Omaha, sup.
rene guardian of the Woodman's
Circle. Miss West, according 70
eustom. win succeed to the presi.