The New York herald., 1920-01-26
COOLIDGE WON'T
PERMIT A FIGHT
Bay State Governor Declares He Is
Not Candidate for
President.

BOSTON. Mass, Sunday. Governor
Coolidge declared today that he was not
and never had been a candidate for Presi-
for the Massachusetts delegation TO the
Republican National Convention lie Gid
not say that he would oppose the presrn-
tation OF his name at Chicago, but was
emphatic in his assertion that he would
not permit the imputation that he had
used the office Of Governor to promote
his own interests through the selection of
delegates.
In a formal statement for the press Gov
ernor Coolidge said that the curse OF the
present was .the almost universal grasp
ing for power" For himself he was not
insensible to the honor sought for him by
others. but the efforts of his friends did
not contemplate a contest for delegates in
his own State Inasmuch as "some Massa-
chusetts people" intended to make one. the
question arose whether he ought to permit
a contest in his name. He answered the
question in the negative.
THE times require of men charged with
public responsibility singleness of pur-
pose,' said Governor Coolidge. THE
curse of the present is the almost universal
=
low, to the exclusion of the discharge of
obligations. 1t is always well for men to
walk humbly.
Only One Higher Honor.
THE great office of Governor of the
Commonwealth Of Massachusetts, has been
twice conferred upon me. There is no
higher position or honor in the gift Of her
people. There is only one higher honor in
the gift of the people of the nation. For
that office my name has been proposed by
men whose judgment entities their deci-
sion to great respect, and their proposal
has not been unsupported by a most re-
spectacle public approval For all this
am deeply appreciative with an apprecia-
ton which words alone cannot express.
There must be acts To correspond.
II have never said would become cam
ddate for President. j have never ac-
cepted unless by silence. efforts made by
statesmen Of more than national reputa-
tion to present my name to the conven-
ton have made IL plain could not seek
this office.
Some weeks ago 1t was represented to
me that certain forces in Massachusetts
desired to support me. No contest for
delegates has ever been contemplated. l
have had no purpose to enter such contest
The probable outcome of contest need
not be considered at all. II is enough to
know that some Massachusetts people in
tend to make one. The question is whether
l ought to permit contest in my name for
delegates in my own State.
Cannot Permit Contest
II have taken no position from which |
need to withdraw. ] do not wish TO EN-
barrass any one. | have a great desire TO
walk humbly and discharge my obliga-
tons. Ny paramount obligation is not to
expose the great office of Governor. but to
guard and protect it. The people are en-
titled to know that their office is to be
administered. not for my benefit, but for
their benefit. and that ! am not placing
myself in any position where any other
object could be inferred. There must be
no imputation however unfounded. that. |
permit their office to be used anywhere
for manipuative purposes. | cannot con-
sent to have their office taken into any
contest for delegates in my own state. !
have not been and I am not candidate for
President.
II do not pretend to be insensible to the
thigh honor that the mention OF my name
has brought me. The support of the people
has touched me. For all this ] am not
lacking in gratitude.
But the great fact remains that II is n
time to counsel not with desire but with
duty NV duty. clear, plain. unepuivocal,
is TO the people of Massachusetts. To
Massa chusetts. unafraid. orderly patriotic,
American. in the discharge OF every duty
IN example TO the nation"