Evening star., 1937-03-18
PRESIDENT TALKS
TO IRISH GROUPS
Sees SeIfIshness Greatest
Danger to Nation in St.
PatriCk's Address.
BY ]. RUSSELL YOUNG,
EtRr Cnrresnondent OF The Star.

STAFF Correspondent of The Star.
WARM SPRINGS. Ga, March Is.-
President Roosevelt today was receiv-
ing kilograms Of congratulations for
the speech he made last night over
the telephone to the Irish Charitable
Society of Boston and the Hibernian
Society of Georgia, as he prepared tc
participate in the dedication this aft
ernoon Of colored school building in
Warm Springs village
Mr. Roosevelt has been intensely m
serested in plans to provide additional
educational facilities for the colored
children in this hill section of Georgia
and has had considerable to do with
the Julius ROsenWald fund and the
Federal Government furnishing the
necessary money to build the school
house.
Mr.. Roosevelt not only used the
long-distance telephone to deliver his
st. PatriCk's day speech to the gather
tngs in Boston and Savannah but also
to talk briefly with Mrs. Roosevelt,
who is more than a thousand miles
away on lecture tour. He extended
10 her affectiOnate greetings on the
occasion of their thTty-seCond we'd
ding anniversary.
The President attended an old-faSh-
ioned Southern barbecue early this
afternoon at Camp Merriweather, on
the outskirts of Warm Springs village,
This camp was abandoned during the
year as a Civilian Conservation Corps
camp, and DR.. and Mrs. Neal KitChins,
who own the property, will be hosts to
the President.
In his st, Patrick's day address the
President declared with feeling that
'self1shneSS is without doubt the
greatest danger that confronts our
beloved country today" He added
that good old St Patrick was the
epitome of unselfShness," and called
on the people Of this country to
follow in the footsteps of that Irish
saint.
Motto Is Inspiration.
The Latin motto of the Irish So
cieties being addressed by him. which,
translated into English, reads Not
for ourselves. but for Others" served
SIS the inspiration for the Presidents
plea for unSelfishneSs
THAT motto" the President said.
"csn we'll be the inspiration of all Of
ns-not for the fine purpose of charity
alone, but also for our guidance in
public and private service"
The greater part of the President s
brief speech was devoted to praising
the histories and noble accomplish
ments of the groups of Irish who
banded together in the early days in
the interest of charity and humanity.
Although his speech was directed to
the gatherings in Boston and Savan-
nah. his tribute included the other
Irish societies organized for the same
purpose. operating along the Atlantic
Seaboard
In all these generations" the Presi-
dent added. your societies have lived
up TO the noble legend: Non sibi sed
aliis mot for ourselves, but for
others. You have aided not only your
own members, but many others who
might be deserving under your charity.
You have aided not Irishmen alone
or the descendants of Irishmen-you
have contributed greatly TO the good
Of your communities as whole"
Recalls Wedding Day.
Mr.. Roosevelt then recalled the day
In New York 80 years ago when he
and his distant cousin, Anna Eleanor
Roosevelt, were made man and wife.
In this connection he said: I have a
particular tenderness for st. Patrick S
day for, as some Of you know, it was
on the 18th of March, 1905, that
Roosevelt wedding took place IN New
York City to the accompaniment OF
the bands playing their way up Fifth
avenue to the tune OF The Wearin' Of
the Green On that occasion New
York had two great attraCtions-the
St patrick's day parade and President
Theodore Roosevelt, who had come
from Washington TO give the bride
away. I might add that it was wholly
natural that in the spotlight OF these
two attractions the bride and the BRIDE
groom were almost entirely overlooked
To-day, therefore, I am getting
eyen-taking an actual part, even
though it be by telephone, N cele-
bration IN the North and another
celebration In the South"
The President went on TO speak OF
how he Is always thrilled by St
Patricks day. He recalled how the
Irishmen the world over garner tC
their hearts and souls their tendereSt
memories. recall the ancient glorieS
Of Erin and renew their allegiance tC
the great apostle Of 500 years ago
He recalled that, through all the viCis.
situdes Of these IS centuries. through
tramplingS and burnings, through
war and slaughter, IN times Of plenty
or in tunes Of famine. Ireland, anc
the descendants Of Ireland, have beer
faithful 10 the heritage Of St Patrick
The President looked the picture o
health as he entered today on HI
second week away from the turmol
Of his office back in Washington
Now that the weather has greatr
moderated ard Is again resembling
Spr1ngtlme, he Is taking every op
pOrtunity 10 get out IN the open ant
enjoy the balmy air and the coIorfu
evidences of Spring in the countryside
He went again today for his swim Il
the pool AT the Warm Springs Foun
datlOn and. following his partIcIpa
ton in the dedicatOry exercises a
the colored school, he plans to moto
out 10 his farm
Only Two callers are on the Presl
dents schedule for today and neithe
IS expected to discuss matters Q
state or politics One is Walter :