Evening star., 1925-10-06
Tolerance.

fTeSldent Coolidge could have chosen
no more fitting occasion TO urge upon
The country religious and racial toler.
ance than in his address to the Amer,
ican Legion, delivered in Omaha to,
day. The Legion is composed of men
of all creeds and racial strains. They
offered their lives for the safety Of the
Nation when the United States was
swept into the conflict which enguifed
the world eight and half years ago.
In those days Of stress the man who
wore Uncle Sans uniform was not
selected because of the church TO
which he belonged or because of his
rarentage. One hundred per cent
Americanism had real meaning.
The President called attention to the
fact that in the period since the war,
however, the United States has not
been exempt from suspicion and in
tolerance. Among some of the vary
Ing racial, religious and social groups,
he said, there have been manifesto
tions of an intolerance of opinion, a
narrowness of outlook, fixity Of
Judgment against which we may well
be warned" He added that it would
be difficult to conceive of anything
more unfortunate in community
based upon American ideals than any
considerable development Of religious
intolerance.
The United States owes its very be-
ginninss. the President said. Ito the
determination of our hardy ancestors
TO maintain complete freedom in re-
ligion." In his structures against ra-
cial intolerance the President pleaded
for patriotic unity. Pertinently, he
said: whether one traces his Amer
icanism back three centuries to the
Mayfiower or three years to the steer
age is not half so important as
whether his Americanism Of today is
real and genuine. No matter by what
various crafts we came here, we are
all now in the same boat"
The President struck a note that
has needed to be sounded. Intolerance
based on varying religious beliefs and
racial differences has been in evidence
from time to time in this country, but
in recent years it has raised its head
higher and higher; it has passed in
many places from the whispering
stage to open denunciation. Torn by
such diviSions-if they are permitted
10 develop-the country cannot stand.
Internal disorders might wreck a ma
dom which never could be destroyed
by attack without. The newcomers to
our shores must learn and assimilate
the principles and ideals of America.
The American-born must not forget
them.
The country will acclaim President
Coolidge's high tribute TO the Amer.
lean Legion, TO the men who made
victory possible. Nobody says now
that Americans cannot fight was a
terse comment that tells a long story
of heroism. The country will approve
also the Presidents declaration that
he is a believer in a policy of adequate
military preparation, his characterize
tion Of the military art as an "honor-
able and patriotic calling of the high.
est rank"
But the President made it clear that
In his opinion the gain to America out
Of the great conflict has been the ce-
menting Of a spiritual bond and a new
devotion to peace. Fair and honorable
dealings among nations and mutual
agreements for limitation of arma-
nents, he insisted, are more likely
to result in peace and security than
the adherence to competitive arma-
ments. In his conclusion he said:
I'VE cannot place our main reliance
upon material forces. We must re-
affirm and reinforce our ancient faith
in truth and justice, in charitableness
and tolerance. We must make our su-
preme commitment to the everlasting
spiritual forces Of life. We must mo.
biffzs the conscience Of mankind"
To such a campaign the President
called the hosts Of the American Le-
sion.