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MESSAGE TO THE CONVENTION
President Emeritus Paul P. Harris, Chicago
To
delegates and friends assembled in the
convention of Rotary International at Vienna, Greetings and
Best Wishes.
I
may, I believe, speak in the name of Rotarians of the more
recently developed regions of the world to the Rotarians of
Europe of whose centuries old culture we of the newer world
think with reverence and admiration. While ever mindful of the
contributions the peoples of Asia have made to modern
civilization, we of the younger lands recognize how deeply we
have been inspired by European art, music and literature, and
are keenly conscious of the fact that the origins of much of the
beat to which the civilzation of today can lay claim lie in
Europe. We of the new world in this Rotary family gathering with
our cousins of the old world are moved to express our deep
gratitude for the manifold contributions which Europe has made
to the culture and civilization of the entire world.
And yet, we of the younger lands modestly believe that in Rotary
we too have made and are making a worth‑while contribution to
the welfare of the entire world with respect to the simplicity
and the genuineness of the appeal of Rotary.
The present days will be recorded in history as days of great
depression. All men are yearning for the return of prosperity.
Adversity is ever an unwelcome guest. Yet it is neither more
food, nor more clothing which is needed. The granaries are full
to bursting; the problem of manufacturers is to slow production
down from a breathless run to an enjoyable walk. It is in
rational work, whether mental or physical, that health and
happiness is to be found. The Creator has never revealed a more
wholesome outlet than this for pent‑up energies; work is
nature's own specific and yet, as with every other good thing,
it can be sadly misused, grievously abused.
The world is not so much in need of great production as it is in
need of a right about faith in its view of life. The
glorification of the material has been tried and found wanting.
If it may become the purpose of men, each in his own way, to
achieve spiritual instead of material results, the storms of
adversity need never be feared and prosperity will have a new
and abiding meaning.
Rotary is one of the means to that end. The Golden Rule is
universal. Its spirit found expression both among Oriental and
Occidental peoples in the early days of history. Rotary seeks to
stimulate men of this modern age to make the Golden Rule
operative in the activities of each day, in business life, in
the community, in the nation, and in international relations.
Friendship constitutes an enrichment of life. Without it life
would be barren indeed. Understanding is the handmaid of
friendship. Without it friendship cannot exist, With the growth
of understanding, concepts of superiority and inferiority
vanish. We are all God's children. As one member of a family is
essential to the others, so is each nation in the family of
nations essential to all other nations.
You, Rotarian friends, who have the good fortune to be
associating together at the convention in Vienna ‑ you are but
exemplifying the efforts which the peoples of the world are
endeavoring to bring to fruition. Long may we abide together
within the boundaries of this terrestrial sphere in loving peace
and harmony.
That abundant success may crown the efforts of the delegates
assembled in the Vienna Convention is the earnest wish of one
who feels honored in subscribing himself,
PAUL P. HARRIS.
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