Evening star., 1926-10-05

President Coolidge, speaking be-
fore the annual convention Ct the
American Red Cross and several
thousand spectators in Memorial Con.
tinental Hall last night, declayud that
the success of the American people
in their effort to accumulate property
has not been turned to greed, ava
rice and selfishness," but has been
productive Of ''benevolence, gener-
osity and charity"
The President seemed to be aiming
sQuarely at those persons in foreign
countries who have sought to picture
this as a dollar.chasing nation when
he declared that what the Red Cross
Is doing is osiy one example Of the
innumerable results Of American ideal
ISM" He pointed out in the same
breath that this charity is extended
as quickly to the afflicted in foreign
lands as to the victims Of catastrophe
in the United States.
The annual convention of the Amer
lean Red Cross, the President assert
ed, Is an occasion for e?emphasizing
the fact that the world is not yet per-
feet, and "rededicating ourselves to
continuing sacrifices for it's redemp-
ton" Nothing, he added, is clearer
than the requirement which IS laid
on society for the relief Of distress,
and "the success and completeness
with which these obligations are dis
charged measure the moral rank Of a
people,"
Hopes for End of Wars.
The American Red Cross, President
Coolidge declared. takes the heart
beats of humanity anC transforms
them into concrete acts f,r the allevl-
alton of misery and suffering. Begun
as an agency of mercy to relieve those
stricken in battle, its work is still
vitality necessary.
I'VE can only hope" the President
said, that some day there will be
found a way to prevent these appali-
ing conflicts between nations Whlcn
bring such a harvest of physically
manned and mentally wrecked
The Presidents address follows In
full:
Members Of the convention:
"The annual convention of the
American Red Cross is an occasion
for re-emphasizing the fact that the
| world is not yet perfect, and rededl'
eating ourselves to continuing sacrl
fees for its redemption. Such a con
ception in it's entirety is not simple
but very complex. 1t is not narrow
and restricted, but very broad and
comprehensive. It brings into consld
Grafton the whole field of human re-
lationship. The main purpose OF this
| organization is charity, but charity Is
not something that can exist OF itself
apart from all else. 1t is a very com
plete demonstration of the fact that
we live in a world that is interrelated
! and interdependent. Charity depenos
not only on a benevolent spirit, but
upon the material resources by
means of which such sentiment can
manifest itself.
People Are Diligent.
ut is the realization of this prin'
ciple that helps to sanctify the realm
| of business. The people of this coun'
try are engaged in their various daily
occupations in order that they may
| meet their wide and comprehensive
obligations. No doubt their hrst
thought is to be- self-supportlng ana
independent, maintaining themselves
and their families in comfort, supply
ing the needs of their declining years,
and passing on to posterity the means
Of a broader existence and a more
comprehensive life. 1t is with this IN
view that they have given heed to the
scriptural injunction to be d1llgent IN
business, and under the inspiration OF
this motive America has become rich
and prosperous.
But our obligation does not end
there. Although there is no doubt
that we have surpassed every other
people in that direction, we have not
yet attained. and perhaps it is not
| possible for finite beings to attain, to
a complete economic justice. The
! limitations of humanity and the re-
suits of unforeseen and unforeseeable
contingencies constantly leave some
of our people, oftentimes without any
fault on their part, in a condition of
want and distress which they are un
able of themselves to alleviate. Moth
ing is clearer than the requirement
which is laid on society to use its
resources for the relief and restora
ton of such conditions. The success
! and completeness with which these