Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-02-02
RETREAT
Is DEDICATED
BY COOLIDGE
Declares u. S. Should
Enjoy Spiritual As
Well As Mater a
Progress

MOUNTAIN LAKE. Fla Feb. g.
tPy-Declaring that "the material
prosperity Of our nation will be Of
little avail unless il is translated
into a spiritual prosperity. Presi-
dent Coolidge Friday dedicated the
Mountain Lake Sanctuary and Sing
ing Tower, a gift from Edward w.
Box to the American people.
The sanctuary was established by
Mr.. Box as a woodland retreat for
visitors from all sections Of the
country and designed as we'll to at
tract birds Of many varieties. On
il he has erected the singing tower
containing a carlton Of 81 bells.
A new era, Mr.. Coolidge said, has
come 10 America bringing to the
people at large what in former days
was set aside for the enjoyment Of
a fortunate and privileged few.
From the raw materials, he said. a
nation had been created ard row the
great body of the people was "suf-
~ficiently relieved from the pressing
necessities Of existence TO "Give
some thought to the art OF living"
The useful and practical, Mr.. Cool
idge added. was being supplemented
by the artistic and the beautiful.
Lauds Service to Art
Looking into the past. the presi-
dent Jaw a constant and inexerible
movement in this direction. Pop
ular education. the free public
school, the endowed college and the
state university he regarded as the
essential sources of the new era and
to these he added the more recent
development of public art galleries.
public concerts for the presenta-
ton Of the best music and the open
ing OF innumerable public Iarks."
But as a factor of prime import
arce in the movement toward the
artistic, Mr.. Coolidge cited Fan in
creasinT number Of individuals who
have sufficient to enable
them to minister in a most subStan-
tial way to the humanitarian and
artistic side Of life" Some Of the
largest fortunes that have been &C.
cumulated in America, he added.
have been devoted almost entirely 70
such charities.
I'VE can not observe this move
ment without smiling AZ those who
but n short time x expressed 20
much fear lest our country might
come under the control Of a lew
individuals of great wealth." he
continued. "They claimed that the
rich were growing richer and poor
growing poorer. Our experience has
demonstrated that the reverse OF
this would be much nearer the truth.
So many Of our people have large
amounts Of property that It has
taken on the aspect Of being COM
mon.
Day Of Opportunity
The distinction it once carried Is
gone II is doubtful IL there ever
was a time when even great wealth
gave its possessors so little power
as sc present. Their money Is Of
very little value in determining po-
litical action. Capital is 50 easily
secured for any promising enterprise
that II IA no longer necessary to he
rich 60 so into business even on an
extensive scale. The possession OF
money has never been sufficient 20
gain the social attentions Of people
Of culture and refinement"
Turning to the "people Of moder-
ate means" the president asserted
that the advantages enjoyed by
these, including the great mass q
wage earners. were never SO great
rs at the nresent time. He went on
70 enumerate education. the antomo-
bile. the radio and the motion pic
ture ms influences bringing the
beautiful within our reach.
The sanctuary and singing tower
Mr.. Coolidge regarded as another
example Of this rapidly developing
movement" its main purpose. he
said, Is TO "rreach the gospel Of
beauty and he say IL AS nm in
SEPARATION for the Identification or
homes and communities throughout
the country, the members Of which
would visit the nlacc and carry its
praises homeward with them.
Lauds BOX
He praised Mr. Box, whose gener-
osity made the sanctuary possible,
declaring that the donor did not
wish Il 70 stand rs a memorial or
monument, but rather to create q
quiet. peaceful spot Astounding in
the beauties of nature and architec-
ture. a place Of escape from the
turmoil OF every day life.
1T Is no accident" he said, shat
this superb creation which we are
dedicating today. is the conception
Of n man whose only heritage was
that OF good breeding. m American
by adption, not BY birth, who has
felt the pinch OF poverty, who has
experienced the thrill Of hard man
ual labor, and who has triumphed
over many difficulties"
Mr.. Coolidge pictured the nation
and the states az which II Is COM
posed a shaving planted themselves
squarely and securely on the theory
that all powers Of government eman-
ate from the people" The people
he said. stand rs our sovereign, our
national monarch.
Edward W. Box" he said in con-
clusion, sis making this contribu-
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