Evening star., 1924-10-06
Text of Presidents Speech
At annual Red Cross Meeting 2

The text of the Presidents address
opening the annual convention of the
American Red Cross follows, in full:
The annual meeting of the Amer
lean Red Cross is an occasion for
taking account of the national
progress in ways of benevolence.
charity and organized social effort
No matter how highly we may es-
timate the many other agencies to
promote the common good. we realize
that the Red Cross is sort Of meet
ing point for all kinds of effort to
relieve distress and advance the gem
eral welfare. The Red Cross is de-
voted to no special program. 1t in
dulgeS no propaganda. 1t knows no
creed. no party. no politics. no classes
or groups. 1t sees humanity as a
whole, into all of which may come
elements which bring suffering,
pestilence, misfortune in any of its
myriad forms. Its sole purpose is to
relieve these. 1t does not try to
reorganize human relationships so as
to Danish u happiness or misfortune
IT knows nt formula for setting up
a Utopia, no program to abolish
poverty. 1t has not tried to prevent
earthquakes, or to convince active
volcanoes of the error of their ways.
But II has definite, comprehensive
and intensely practical program of
helping those who need help, when
they need 1t. and where they need it.
1t believes that food is more helpful
to hungry people than advice II
has found that hunger affects people
very much the same in all countries,
and that the best method of coping
with II Is by feeding it's victims. 1t
is about the only Organiza ton ! have
known that does any good by looking
for trouble
Everybody is the friend of the Rcd
Cross because il does not insist on
any controversies. We have not all
been able to agree on how to rid So
ciety of poverty, but we can all agree
with the Red Cross in helping the
poor. We hope that civilization will
learn how to outlaw war; but till then
the Red Cross will be ready to al
leviate the sufferings of war in every
possible way. And We will all be glad
to help in that work of mercy.
Proof of IdeaIixm.
THE American Red Cross is proof
that materialism is not the dominate
motive of the people of the United
States. l doubt if there is another
country in which so great an amount
of unselfish effort is put forth for
social and civic betterment.
TO this unquenchable altruism of
our people the American Red Cross
offers practical and efficient mode
of expression. BY adding to- lofty
ideals its practical efficiency it makes
double appeal. Common sense
has become almost a national term.
1t describes a national way Of think
ing.
When We consider aiding our fell
low man our common sense tells us to
ha ri Or of ha
ing our generosity. We want t6 be
sure that our enthusiasm takes a
practical form, that we extend the
helping hand to all and not merely to
some. So we have the Red Cross TO
capitalize and direct the finest. the
most appealing attribute of our hu-
man nature-charity.
Chartered by Congress to relieve
and prevent suffering at home and
abroad, in war and in peace the
Red Cross has become part of our
national life. Responding with splen-
did devotion to relieve the suffering
of the greatest of wars, it goes with
US now in times of peace. of peace |
fervent1y hope, not to be broken. Its
mission now is not SO trying, but its
scope is broad and will broaden with the
years
The Red Cross idea will develop
as MANKIND develops. The Ideals
underlying civilization are the ideals
of brotherly love. of tolerance, of
kindliness. OF charity. Amy departure
from these is reversion to lower
nature, to barbarism and darkness
The beauty of life lies in meeting
whatever destiny awaits us. trust
ing one another. helping one another
Longing for Sight.
Il do not recall what sage ii was
who said that we keep only what
we give. Perhaps it has been said
in different forms, by many. But
whoever first enunciated that great
truth had thought long and deeply.
he knew life. He knew the tempo
rary. transient nature of material
things. He knew the longing of man
for the light.
"A spiritual impulse of this kind
is struggling for outlet in every hu-
man heart. 1t needs only some form
of practical expression. I can think
of no better medium than the Red
Cross For in it's service there never
exists the danger of helping the un-
deserving, or making the weak
weaker 1t does not pauperize. But
n /ET n /DEI ~ luH