The processes of government are subject to the same limitations, and, lacking imperfections, would be something more than human.
Calvin Coolidge
The Public Record
Calvin Coolidge was the 30th President of the United States, serving from 1923 to 1929. A member of the Republican Party, he was known for his quiet demeanor and strong support for business and limited government. Coolidge's presidency is often associated with the economic prosperity of the Roaring Twenties, and he famously advocated for a hands-off approach to the economy, believing that government should interfere as little as possible in the lives of citizens and businesses.
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The present is ever influenced mightily by the past.
If college-bred men are to exercise the influence over the progress of the world which ought to be their portion, they must exhibit in their lives a knowledge and a learning which is marked with candor, humility, and the honest mind.
This temple of learning must be translated into human form if it is to exercise any influence over the affairs of mankind, or if its alumni are to wield the power of education.
To send forth men who live all these is to be a college.
I call on every citizen to stand by me in executing the oath of my office by supporting the authority of the Government and resisting all assaults upon it.
No man has a right to place his own ease or convenience or the opportunity of making money above his duty to the State.
Those who would counsel it join hands with those whose acts have threatened to destroy the Government.
To place the maintenance of the public security in the hands of a body of men who have attempted to destroy it would be to flout the sovereignty of the laws the people have made.
The authority of the Commonwealth cannot be intimidated or coerced.
There is an obligation, inescapable, no less solemn, to resist all those who do not support the Government.
In the deliberate intention to intimidate and coerce the Government of this Commonwealth a large body of policemen, urging all others to join them, deserted their posts of duty, letting in the enemy.
I am equally determined to defend the sovereignty of Massachusetts and to maintain the authority and jurisdiction over her public officers where it has been placed by the Constitution and law of her people.
There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, any time.
They are firm in the conviction of the fathers, that liberty is increased only by increasing the determination to support a government of the people, as established in this ancient town, and defended by its patriotic sons.
But the great promise of the future lies in the loyalty and devotion of the people to their own Government.
The adoption of the Federal Constitution brought relief and prosperity.
The authority of a just government derived from the consent of the governed, has back of it a Power that does not fail.
They hated the usurper whether king, or Parliament, or mob, but they bowed before the duly constituted authority of the people.
They had not hesitated to take up arms against tyranny in the Revolution, but having established a government of the people they were equally determined to defend and support it.
The attitude of Samuel Adams, William Shepard, Jonathan Smith and the workingmen of Boston toward government, is worthy of our constant emulation.
In the light of succeeding history, who shall say, that it was not the voice of the people, speaking with the voice of Infinite Authority?
The counsel of the farmer from the country, joined with the resolutions of the workingmen from the city, carried the convention and the Constitution was ratified.
There spoke the common sense of the common man of the Commonwealth.
We sowed our seed when we sent men to the Federal Convention, now is the time to reap the fruit of our labour; and if we do not do it now, I am afraid we shall never have another opportunity.
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