New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-28
Governor Coolidge's
Acceptance


The unanswerable clarity of q
mind at once practical and philo
sophie is Governor Coolidge's rare
possession. There have been few
political writers in our history tc
surpass his talent for hard sense
touching public affairs, combined
with exact and pellucid generaliza-
ton.
Much was expected Of his speech
accepting the Vice-P Presidential nom
ination, and expectations are impress
sively met. The document reads
with the charm and continuity of ar
essay. There is no effort at fine
phrasing; there is rigid avoidance
of the startling word and the emo
tional metaphor. Yet this very
quality of baroness, of simplicity
clearness and poise lifts the speech
to an unusual height Of dignity and
appeal.
In general outline Governor Cool
idge has followed the Republican plat
form and Senator Harding's speech
of acceptance. His speech is rather
a reinforcement of the Republican
position than an individual effort to
attract attention or erect personal
platform. There is clear recog-
milton of that principle which is the
foundation of the Republican cam
paign-that no one man is wise
enough or strong enough to rule the
American people, and that only
through the organized cooperation
of the best ability of a party can a
government at once efficient and pop
ular be conducted. The Republican
party can indeed BE proud that it
was able to name for the Vice-Presi-
dency man of Governor Coolidge's
stature and ability.
1t is in his clear understanding of
fundamentals, the bedrock of our in
dustrial and economic problems, that
Governor Coolidge's speech is espe-
cially notable. The contrast with
the insistent blather of such figure
as Attorney General Palmer springs
to mind. There is nothing that Mr..
Palmer will not promise, no problem
which he cannot solve in a glib state
ment to the press. Much of the cur
rent confusion of thought and un-
rest are distinctly traceable to the
viciously false economies of the Ad-
ministration's spokesman. Against
this mass of unfulilled promises and
quack remedies let US set such clear
and accurate truth as this from the
Coolidge speech:
There has been a great deal of
misconception as to what was won
by the victory in France. That vic
tory will not be found to be sub
stitute f further human effort and
endeavor 1t did not create magic
resources out of which wages could
be paid that were not earned, or
profits be made without correspond
ing service; it did not overcome any
natural law; it did conquer an arti-
fetal thraldom sought to be imposed
on mankind and establish for all the
a-4h
liberty. But that does not, cannot
mean less responsibility; it means
more responsibility, and until the
people of this nation understand and
accept this increased responsibility
and meet it with increased effor;
there will be no relief from the pres
Ont economic burdens
1t is a generalization that has its
exceptions, but it is the broad truth
that the Democratic party under
President Wilson has been a party
of short cuts-of short cut to peace
ignoring human nature and the ma
tional spirit; of short cut to lower
prices by inveighing against prof
lteers, for two examples. Governor
Coolidge does a rare service in bring.
ing us all back to the homely truths
OF human progress by individual en-
deavor and careful building of now
institutions upon old and established
foundations.
Governor Coolidge richly deserved
the honor which his party has giver
him. 1t is good to know that, thanks
to the spirit of cooperation in which
Senator Harding conceives his Presi
dental duty, the clear mind ane
practical skill of Governor Coolidge
will have full weight in the next Ad.
fi1.nistration if the Republican policy
prevails.
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