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GOOD WILL TO ALL
By
Paul P. Harris,
President Emeritus Rotary International
To
my friends who under the leadership of our peerless President,
Harry Rogers, are in attendance at the Eighteenth Annual
Convention of Rotary International at Ostend, Belgium, greetings
and good will to all.
Centuries have come and gone since the immortal words: "On earth
peace, good will toward men" first fell from the lips of men;
centuries of yearning, reaching and groping for an ever elusive
ideal.
A
mother whispers the blessed words to listening children gathered
at her knees - "Peace, peace on earth" and far away in another
land, no less fair, no less honorable, comes the answer from the
lips of another mother and other children: "Good will toward all
men." The children of the one land think of the children of the
other as children of the one father, blest with the inheritance
of peace. The words: "On earth peace, good will toward men" are
simple words, little children know their meaning.
But children advance in years and sooner or later, they must
meet life's tragedy, the tragedy of misunderstanding.
Understanding is constructive; misunderstanding is the shortest
and straightest road to destruction. Understanding makes for
peace, misunderstanding makes for war. Understanding for
prosperity, misunderstanding for poverty. The greatest resource
which a nation can have is the resource of peace; it counts for
more than arable lands, more than mines of untold riches.
But there's the tragedy, the tragedy of misunderstanding and
growing children must meet it some day unless – unless ‑ we stop
to think.
Schools and colleges have been dedicated to the interests of
war. Who will dedicate the first school to the interests of
peace? He need expect no hero's medal for war is patriotic,
while peace at best is despicable, at worst, treason.
The word "pacifist" is the most opprobrious epithet which one
human can hurl at another.
Neither crashing bands nor military splendor herald the approach
of peace. Peace must be humble, patient and bide its time. When
nations have become war weary, they are ready for peace.
What patriot first conceived the glory of war and the humility
of peace?
There's the tragedy, the world's greatest tragedy, the tragedy
of misunderstanding; how is it to be overcome?
A
condition which has existed for generations cannot be cured in a
day. Future historians may not be able to credit this age or
generation with the accomplishment of the desired result. This
generation may possibly be given the honor of having laid the
first stable foundation for international peace; if so, this
generation will have had honor enough.
"Man know thyself" was the adjuration of the philosopher. To
know ourselves is to know ourselves in our relationship with
others; no one sided knowledge will serve.
Education has lifted man out of the jungle; it can raise him to
permanent peace.
Let us destroy the foes to understanding. The three generals in
command of
the destructive forces are:
Suspicion
Jealousy and
Fear
Let us stimulate and encourage the constructive forces and place
in their command, the three greatest generals the world has ever
known:
Faith
Love and
Courage
How can these things be accomplished? Let us begin with our
schools.
The classification "Educating" is one of the largest and most
important in Rotary. In the educational section are included the
names of a large percentage of the most influential educators in
the countries where Rotary is now established. In some cities,
the school superintendent and all members of the board of
education are Rotarians. The minds of the coming generation will
bear the imprint of Rotary.
The press is the most powerful agency in the formation of public
opinion. What the schools are to the juvenile mind, the press is
to the adult mind.
The newspaper classification is generally open to all local
newspapers and frequently representatives of all of the daily
papers of a city are members of the Rotary Club.
In
lesser degree the influence of Rotary has already been felt in
the pulpit, in moving pictures, radio programs on the lecture
platform and in other places where public opinion is formed.
By
such means, Rotary can advance the cause which found perfect
expression in the words: "On earth peace, good will toward men"
at a time when civilization was still in its infancy.
May we all, Christian, Jew, Mohammedan, Buddhist, Confucian,
Agnostic and Infidel stand for once, shoulder to shoulder and
humbly, reverently, hopefully repeat the words: "On earth peace,
good will toward men."
PAUL HARRIS.
[1927 Ostend Convention]
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