Address to the Annual Convention of the American Red Cross

Address to the Annual Convention of the American Red Cross

This excellent piece by Mr. Jerry Wallace recounts the many years of support for this preeminent volunteer organization Coolidge gave. Especially what the Americana Annual for 1927 recounts about the Red Cross from the previous year,

     The year 1926 was one of the worst for disasters in the history of the American Red Cross. Fires, winds, and floods concentrated their fury in a way that set new records. Approximately 700 persons were killed in the United States and hundreds injured. Two months–September and October–witnessed unparalleled outbursts of nature’s wrath. During this period occurred the Florida hurricane, the worst disaster in Red Cross annals since the San Francisco fire and earthquake [1906, twenty years before]; the Illinois River Valley flood; the Kansas flood; the Iowa flood; two fires in Alaska which destroyed whole villages; floods in Oklahoma; tornado in Sandusky, Ohio; the Cuban hurricane, as destructive as the Florida storm; a flood in Mexico and hurricanes in the West Indies.

As we recall, 1927 brought the historic Mississippi and Vermont floods, to which the Red Cross responded ably. As summer progresses, with its accompanying cycles of intense heat and severe rains, it offers opportunity to reflect on a great organization’s work, the sacrifice its volunteers render every year and its worthy demonstration of America’s sense of service at home and around the world.

“The year 1926 was one of the worst for disasters in the history of the American Red Cross.  Fires, winds, and floods concentrated their fury in a way that set new records.  Approximately 700 person were killed in the United States and hundreds injured.  Two months—September and October—witnessed unparalleled outbursts of nature’s wrath.  During this period occurred the Florida hurricane, the worst disaster in Red Cross annals since the San Francisco fire and earthquake; the Illinois River Valley flood; the Kansas flood; the Iowa flood; two fires in Alaska which destroyed whole villages; floods in Oklahoma; a tornado in Sandusky, Ohio; the Cuban hurricane, as destructive as the Florida storm; a flood in Mexico and hurricanes in the West Indies.” – See more at: http://www.calvin-coolidge.org/address-to-the-american-red-cross.html#sthash.dS7FDHTo.dpuf
“The year 1926 was one of the worst for disasters in the history of the American Red Cross.  Fires, winds, and floods concentrated their fury in a way that set new records.  Approximately 700 person were killed in the United States and hundreds injured.  Two months—September and October—witnessed unparalleled outbursts of nature’s wrath.  During this period occurred the Florida hurricane, the worst disaster in Red Cross annals since the San Francisco fire and earthquake; the Illinois River Valley flood; the Kansas flood; the Iowa flood; two fires in Alaska which destroyed whole villages; floods in Oklahoma; a tornado in Sandusky, Ohio; the Cuban hurricane, as destructive as the Florida storm; a flood in Mexico and hurricanes in the West Indies.” – See more at: http://www.calvin-coolidge.org/address-to-the-american-red-cross.html#sthash.dS7FDHTo.dpuf
“The year 1926 was one of the worst for disasters in the history of the American Red Cross.  Fires, winds, and floods concentrated their fury in a way that set new records.  Approximately 700 person were killed in the United States and hundreds injured.  Two months—September and October—witnessed unparalleled outbursts of nature’s wrath.  During this period occurred the Florida hurricane, the worst disaster in Red Cross annals since the San Francisco fire and earthquake; the Illinois River Valley flood; the Kansas flood; the Iowa flood; two fires in Alaska which destroyed whole villages; floods in Oklahoma; a tornado in Sandusky, Ohio; the Cuban hurricane, as destructive as the Florida storm; a flood in Mexico and hurricanes in the West Indies.” – See more at: http://www.calvin-coolidge.org/address-to-the-american-red-cross.html#sthash.dS7FDHTo.dpuf
“The year 1926 was one of the worst for disasters in the history of the American Red Cross.  Fires, winds, and floods concentrated their fury in a way that set new records.  Approximately 700 person were killed in the United States and hundreds injured.  Two months—September and October—witnessed unparalleled outbursts of nature’s wrath.  During this period occurred the Florida hurricane, the worst disaster in Red Cross annals since the San Francisco fire and earthquake; the Illinois River Valley flood; the Kansas flood; the Iowa flood; two fires in Alaska which destroyed whole villages; floods in Oklahoma; a tornado in Sandusky, Ohio; the Cuban hurricane, as destructive as the Florida storm; a flood in Mexico and hurricanes in the West Indies.” – See more at: http://www.calvin-coolidge.org/address-to-the-american-red-cross.html#sthash.dS7FDHTo.dpuf

On the Navy and Peace

On the Navy and Peace

Standing before the United States Naval Academy’s 438 member graduating class on June 3, 1925, President Coolidge reaffirmed his expectations for the proper use of military power,

“I am not unfamiliar with the claim that if only we had a sufficient military establishment no one would ever molest us. I know of no nation in history that has ever been able to attain that position. I see no reason to expect that we could be the exception. Although I believe thoroughly in adequate military preparations, what I am trying to argue is that they are not sufficient unto themselves. I do not believe the American Navy can succeed if it represents mere naked force. I want to see it represent much more than that. We must place it on a much higher plane. We must make it an instrument of righteousness. If we are to promote peace on earth, we must have a great deal more than the power of the sword. We must call into action the spiritual and moral forces of mankind.”

“The Mind of the President” New York: Doubleday, Page and Company, 1926, p.52.