The Rotary Balita no. 632 (October 27, 1949).

Greetings to Manila Rotary! It is an affirmation of Rotary's ideals that a Rotarian now presides over the General Assembly of the United Nations, and it is a source of double pride for me that I am not only a Rotarian but a distinct product of Manila Rotary. I bring with me to this exalted office to which I have undeservedly been elevated all the great traditions of Rotary International, to which you and I of the Philippines are justly proud to belong. I carry on its mission of human under- standing, and its splendid spirit of good-will which makes all of you there, as it makes me, citizens of the world. Rotary's progressive aims fit perfectly into the principles of the United Nations. Good-will-the core of every Rotarian's service to his community-is of the very essence of the existence of this Union of fifty-nine states. Without good-will, no international agreements are possible. Every Rotarian understands the meaning of this good-will, which is his article of faith in dealing with his fellow men. The chief instrument of our work in the United Nations is good-will. I need not refer to the constant danger of ideological conflicts, of regional clashes and, more important, of the collisions of power politics, to emphasize the fact that without the good-will of the States that compose this Organization the world might long ago have been hurled into the precipice of war. It is largely because of the fact that behind us is the formidable. force of world public opinion, that mankind today is not in the throes of an armed catastrophe. We have staved the blow since Berlin, in a manner too patent to be denied. We have arrested the tide of violence which for a long time threatened to engulf the whole world. The United Nations has done a good job over and against all sorts of intransigence and intolerance. But we know that our labors are not at an end. Disagreements will not disappear overnight, governments will not suddenly forget their differences. Cleavages are always bound to occur in the affairs of man. But there is one thing certain, and that is, that so long as the United Nations stands firmly committed to the cause of peace, an armed conflict will be slow in coming, if it comes at all. Against all complexities that may arise, we shall advance towards solid grounds of international cocperation. We shall endeavor to open new channels leading to agreement, establish new procedures of pacific settlement, where before there was only the cloud of suspicion and hatred. Nothing is more certain than that the clock of history will not be turned back, that with trust in God we shall move ahead to new horizons. I believe that I express the sentiments of the peoples with whom the Philippines is associated when I say that they mean in all their hearts to stick together for their collective security. I know that within them deep they feel together by the imperative bonds of a common destiny. It is upon this profound conviction of the undeniable solidarity of the human race, that I base the hope expressed by me at the opening of this Session, to make the present General Assembly of the United Nations a real Parliament of Peace. To this end, I propose, in the best tradition of good-will known to Rotary, to discharge the delicate and multifarious duties of my present office. I have not the least doubt that you are solidly behind me, and I am confident that the ideals which we both share will keep me in the straight path envisaged by the great Charter of the United Nations. I make public avowal of Rotary influence in having enriched my international outlook and human understanding, and in thus having helped me prepare for this difficult responsibility of harmonizing the wills and gearing the efforts of the fifty-nine Governments here gathered towards the goal which we all crave the peace and security of mankind. I send you my most heartfelt Mabuhay confident that you will carry on with faith and optimism. At least, upon the testimony of your past performances as a willing servant of your community, can say that you cannot fail in helping promote enduring understanding among men, regardless of color or creed. To you, as the poet said, I hand the torch for that part of the world; be yours to hold it high.