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1947 San Francisco Convention
Tributes to Paul P. Harris
Chesley R. Perry
RC
Chicago, U.S.A.
CHESLEY R. PERRY: There is a personality missing from this
Convention. There is no written message for us from one who,
when absent, usually sent us a message which was a prayer for a
better world.
Seventy‑six years ago a little American boy, born in Racine,
Wisconsin, arrived in the small town of Wallingford, Vermont, to
spend his youth with his grandparents, to be brought up on
blueberries and buckwheat cakes, the Christian Bible and the
tenets of the Congregational Church, the writings of Emerson and
Thoreau, and the neighborliness of a New England valley.
There he remained until the pursuit of his higher education took
him to Rutland and Burlington, Vermont; to Princeton, New
Jersey; to Iowa City, Iowa; and then, after receiving his law
degree, he traveled for five years, working at whatever
employment he could find ‑ newspaper reporter, teacher, hotel
clerk, actor in a stock company, cowboy, fruit picker, salesman.
His travels and experiences, especialiv his three visits to
European countries, broadened his alert, active mind and
deepened his interest in his fellowmen.
With the background of his New England valley, his education and
his travels, Paul Harris in 1996 began his practice of the law
in the hustling, bustling city of Chicago which became his home
for fifty‑one years. But this young man's mind was too full of
what he had seen and experienced to permit him to meet fully the
demands of the times for legal services. . The defense of
criminals, the manipulations of corporate finance, the
intricacies of politics, had little attraction for him. Clients
didn't come to him as a smart or clever lawyer. He was not a
powerful speaker. He had no great ambition for wealth. He wanted
to see a better state of human society.
He
realized that, as a struggling lawyer, he needed clients but,
more than that, he wanted friends and companions. They were not
easily found. He sought for them at church services, in the
city's parks and on its beaches, and he went on countryside
hikes. On one of these he met Jean Thomson who became his wife.
No man ever had a more faithful, devoted and helpful companion
than Paul's bonny Jean.
A
chance visit to a suburban neighborhood, with some of the
attributes of a small town, gave Paul an idea for a fellowship,
in the central part of the city, of men like himself who wanted
to have and to be friends. Finally, in 1905, with the help of
Silvester Schiele, Harry Ruggles, Charley Newton and others, he
formed his Club composed of men of different occupations who
might be helpful to each other in a business way but who, above
all else, could become close friends.
His co‑founders, and, particularly Harry Ruggles, joined
heartily in making the Club a success. The members enjoyed its
fellowship. They found satisfaction in helping one another.
However, they realized that if they would serve each other in a
business way they must be prepared to do so honestly and
helpfully, and furthermore that they also should be thoughtful
of and helpful to those who were outside the membership of their
club. Thus they found a greater joy in serving than in being
served.
As
the Club grew and prospered, Paul Harris began to think of
passing the idea on to other large cities, where he felt there
must also be men to whom fellowship and mutual helpfulness would
appeal. Some of us at first couldn't share his vision, but he
held to it. After Paul got a second Club started (it was here in
San Francisco) others in the Chicago Club became interested in
the extension idea and cooperated with Paul in getting Clubs
established in other cities.
When there were several of them, Paul wanted to unite them in
some way. With the help of others, he did so with the founding
of the Association in Chicago in 1910. Then the Rotary movement
really began to spread. Under the two‑year presidency of Paul
Harris, Clubs were formed not only in the U.S.A., but in Canada
and Great Britain, and the founder dreamed of Clubs in the
capitals of Europe which he had visited during his travels, and
in other countries. President Paul also initiated the
development of a philosophy or explanation of the movement. His
inspiring address at the third Convention in Duluth stirred us
all to a realization of the potentialities of Rotary. There the
title of "President Emeritus" was conferred upon him by
Convention action.
Unfortunately, following that Convention, Paul had a long
period of illness, one which lasted, in some degree, until his
death. For many years this illness kept him from attending
Conventions, but he made helpful contributions to the Rotarian
magazine, carried on correspondence, conferred with visiting
Rotarians, and occasionally visited Clubs.
He
was ever alert to the importance of each step in the development
of the Rotary program. He did not attempt to dictate, but he
advised helpfully. All who came in contact with him were
encouraged in their Rotary labors and inspired by his vision of
a world fellowship of Rotarians. He received an ovation at the
Silver Jubilee Convention in Chicago in 1930.
When at last his health seemed to permit, he undertook, at the
request of the International Board, to visit Rotary Clubs in all
parts of the world. Physically, they were difficult trips for
him, but he courageously made them, sometimes accompanied by his
wife, sometimes alone. Everywhere he went, he made friends for
Rotary and for the internationality of the movement.
And that, in a very few words, is the story of a man and a
movement which he founded and fostered.
A
few months ago, we laid the tired and worn body of Paul Harris
to rest in its grave in Chicago. We are sad that he has gone
from among us, but we rejoice that he lived, and that he will
always live in our memories.
Among the hundreds, yes thousands, of us who have made some
contribution to the growth and development of the Rotary
movement, this great educational movement, there can be no
question among us as to the position in it of Paul P. Harris,
the modest, kindly, friendly man who conceived the original
idea; who founded the first Rotary Club, prompted the formation
of the second Club, and ever preached the extension of the
movement; who caused the formation of the Association of the
Clubs and gave it a powerful impetus at its first three
Conventions; who, fighting against illness, never lost his
interest in the movement nor his ability to make valuable
contributions to its continued growth, and who never declined a
call to duty in Rotary that his physical condition would permit
him to perform.
To
Paul we pay tribute today for what he was and what he did, and
for the inspiration hr has left with us. There are those here
today from all over the world who would gladly speak at length
of our departed leader and what he has meant to their regions of
the world. President Hedke and Chairman Russel have requested me
to present six Rotarians whom they have invited to speak briefly
on this occasion. I am happy to announce as the first speaker,
W. H. Tan of the Rotary Club of Shanghai, China. (Applause)
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