Evening star., 1955-07-24
CordeIT Hull

OAASS W&OVC, SO4OC1l 11ulI-WIlOSG QSaGl
has come with the close of the Geneva
conference, where others have pursued
the same war-preventing objective that
he long purSued-Saw the United States
make extraordinary progress He saw it
grow from relatively provincial and
underdeveloped land to a position of
wealth and power incomparably greater
than that attained by any other nation
since time began. But most Of all he
saw its influence steadily expand as "a
potent world force in the cause Of peace
and humanity"
Nor did he merely "See" all this. He
was much more than an idle spectator
watching other men labor at the task
Of building American greatness. He was
one Of the laborers hinself-a member
Of that distinguished company whose
vision and energy carried the Nation
forward at pace that amazed the world.
His own particular, forte was in the po-
litical realm, and his achievements there,
during his long congressional career and
his unprecedented twelve-year term as
Secretary Of State, have long since won
him secure place in history.
Above all things, Cordell Hull was a
man Of peace, laboring ceaselessly and
seeking by every device-from the good
neighbor policy to reciprocal trade-to
avert war. And even in the darkest days
of the conflict with the Tokyo Rome
Berlin axis he gave of himself without
stint to organize mankind in way that
it might never again take up the sword.
His was the guiding genius behind Dunn
barton Oaks and San Francisco and
although Ill health forced him to resign
before he could see his task through
"a supreme tragedy" to him personally
he earned as no other individual had
earned 1t the title that President Roose-
yelt gave him: Father of the United
Nations" Indeed, It may well be said Of
him now that the course he followed over
the years has contributed in no small
measure to whatever progress has been
made at the summit" meeting in Geneva.
Deeply respected all over the world,
Cordell Hull occupied in his own land
position Of rare and affectionate esteem
placing him far beyond the hurly-burly
Of politics. In the early phase Of the
New Deal some critic Of the young and
ebullient Roosevelt "brain trust" likened
him to a full moon shining steadily In a
sky full of momentarily flashing stars,
and as time wore on and the solemn
but controversial days of the war were
here, much the same sort of view per-
sisted and deepened. Republicans and
Democrats alike, all parties, regarded
him as man who was in the fray but
above it-beyond suspicion.
He was simple in his ways. He was
honest. He was direct. His integrity
stood out so clearly that no one could
question it. And though he was man
Of peace, he had only fire and wrath in
hin-as the Japanese learned on the
day Of Pearl Harbor-when he came
across double dealing and deceit. It was
perhaps these virtues of character that
made his face so fine to look upon. They
were written all over him, and the world
at large recognized them as America did.
Cordell Hull is dead, but what he
stood for lives on No one did more to
make this country and its ideals "a
potent world force in the cause Of peace
and humanity" A good man, a fine
patriot, tireless fighter in behalf OF q
decent and happy civilization, he was
the first citizen of the United Nations
and a truly great American who served
his own people and peoples everywhere
surprisingly well.