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CONVENTION MESSAGE [1938
SF]
By
PAUL P. HARRIS, President‑Emeritus
Of
all conventions, this may prove to be the most fruitful and the
best. While every year of the life of Rotary has been rich in
experiences, no two have been alike. Each has had its own
individuality and this year has been no exception to the rule.
To my mind, the distinguishing feature of the current year has
been its manifest swerve toward internationality. For this
change we are profoundly thankful. It has not come about through
revolutionary processes but through evolutionary processes, thus
marking the triumph of tolerance, patience and cooperative
effort which have always characterized Rotary.
Two important factors have contributed toward that end; one, the
holding of last year's convention in Europe; the other, the
election of a distinguished citizen of France, Maurice Duperrey,
(applause) as the first president of Rotary International from
the continent of Europe. The thought sometimes comes to me that
Rotary must have been born under a lucky star. It has so
frequently happened that the needs of the hour have been
providentially filled; but the election of Maurice Duperrey to
the international presidency was more than mere luck. It marked
the gradual rise to Rotary's highest position of a man possessed
of charming personality, great ability, unquestioned loyalty.
Fortunately, he was in a financial position which made it
possible for him to devote his entire time to Rotary. The
demands upon international presidents are very heavy now;
Rotarians from overseas have extra weight to carry. Somehow the
difficulties in the way of electing presidents from overseas
must be overcome, (applause) probably through further
simplifying their work. And while the expense of holding
international conventions outside the borders of the North
American continent is much greater than the expense of holding
them within the continental borders, undoubtedly ways of
overcoming this difficulty also will eventually be found. The
will to the fuller realization of our dream is present, and
where there is a will, there is a way.
In
one way and another, one step at a time, the fuller
internationality of Rotary must be achieved. Maurice's year is a
happy beginning of a new advance in the right direction. He has
made thousands of friends on both hemispheres and his courteous,
kindly personality will never be forgotten. (Applause)
Besides the turn toward fuller internationality during the past
year, there has been another development which cannot be
overlooked. I refer to the increase of interest in the affairs
of Rotary International and an accompanying spirit of
discontent. Probably this is the most important and significant
development of the year.
The increase of interest is all to the good. If all Rotarians,
whether holding office or only serving in the ranks, could find
time to interest themselves deeply in the affairs of Rotary
International, the ideal condition would prevail and many of the
difficulties would dissolve themselves.
No
worth‑while progress has ever been made by any movement without
a spirit of discontent. Content means stagnation, and eventually
dry rot. As organizations advance in age, they tend to lose
their pristine vigor. Their management fears to think new
thoughts, or do new things, lest something happens. Under such
circumstances, most naturally, things do not so frequently
happen as they might.
But this thought must ever be borne in mind. Rotary discontent
must not be intolerant or unfriendly. We cannot permit our cause
to be jeopardized by personal animosities.
Most of us know from experience how difficult it is to keep an
organization working harmoniously in one country, or even in one
city. Rotary is trying to rally men of all races, all forms of
religions and political faiths, to a common cause, that of
service.
To
build up the spirit and the morale of Rotary International has
cost a great deal of money and infinite pains. It is more
precious than gold and silver. It is a result of sacrificial
efforts of thousands of devoted men. To break down the morale
would be disastrous.
We
must be particularly careful when dealing with international
questions. All Rotarians naturally and properly love their own
countries and believe in them; they are exceedingly sensitive on
points of national honor.
One not infrequently hears some Rotarian inveigh against Rotary
for its so-called lackadaisical policy in international affairs.
He goes on bitterly denouncing countries, representatives of
which are included in the Rotary fellowship. He forgets how his
words must make his fellow Rotarians of those countries suffer.
He demands that the countries in question be branded public
enemies and outlawed. He declares that it is high time that
Rotary abandon its Pollyanna policies and take position in
international affairs worthy of full‑grown men. He demands that
the forces of Rotary International be mobilized and its
influence brought to bear to the end that international
marauders be brought to justice in order that democracy may
survive, etc., etc.
In
the early Egyptian, Greek and Roman temples there was always
provided a sanctuary to which persons charged with offenses
against the law could take refuge. Rotary has its sanctuary,
though of another order. Men of different races, different
political views have been invited to take refuge in Rotary with
the full assurance that their views will be respected, that they
shall, for the time being at least, enjoy sanctuary. We cannot
break faith with our Rotarian friends, wheresoever they may
live, whatsoever countries they may owe allegiance to. We simply
can't do these things in Rotary; there are enough things to be
done that are entirely constructive. To succor the distressed,
the innocent victims of war, pestilence and famine is
constructive; that is quite within our line. Rotary should be
outstanding above all others in that sorely needed thing ‑
international good manners. Deliberately, studiously, and
patiently, we have brought dissentious elements from all
quarters of the globe together in one grand, all‑embracing
fellowship, a living demonstration of the fact that the days of
miracles have not yet passed, that the impossible still can be
done. Friendship is the solvent. In friendship, mountains of
dissension can be reduced to the size of inconsequential mole
hills; but we must not, in the face of new difficulties, cast
our true and tried solvent, friendship, aside. It has been
successful for more than a third of a century; it must not be
abandoned now. Rotary is a world‑wide fellowship for the
promotion of international good will and understanding.
Let us never forget that.
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