New-York tribune., 1921-05-24

YlCe-ffeSluenJ CooIldge said that tht
courage and effort Unborn in this
American people were the "safeguards
of democracy" in she address on that
topic at the 125th anniversary dinner
Of The New York Commercial at the
Hotel Commodore. His address fol
lows:
Respect for law is a fundamental
American principle. Not that there are
no law breakers in our land. There
are. But even among those there is
not lacking some respect for the ad-
ministration of the law Those who
deny its binding obligation, especially
where their own rights are concerned
are few and their counsels for the
most part go unheeded.
ut is this respect for law which
makes the American people worthy of
every confidence, and, whenever their
attention can be gained, always to be
trusted. Some of them may be swayed,
momentarily, by strange doctrines
taken through lack of information and
discussion, but in the end good sense
prevails. There may be lack of ap-
probation on the part of new arrivals,
but among them there are conspicuous
examples Of sturdy american spirit,
not outrivaled by the inheritors Of
generations of American training.
Calls Radicalism Wasteful
"There is need to resist radicalism,
not because it may overthrow the gov
er1ment, but because it is disturbing
and Wasteful element in society This
does not mean resistance to the growth
and expansion of our Constitution, but
it does represent resistance to any
change in its underlying principles.
"Those principles guarantee to Amer
ican citizens the right of life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness. What
more can be required? All that any
revolution ever sought to accomplish
was a life guaranty. What the op-
pressed of other lands may seek every
American holds as his birthright.
There is an eternal obligation to
remember the meaning of liberty, that
liberty which goes with American citi-
zenship. 1t is not license. 1t is far
from the privilege of disregarding the
rights of others. II is the fullest free
dom of individual thought and action,
limited by like freedom of thought
and action on the part of others.
"Men are free to think as they will,
to speak as they will, to write as they
will, provided thereby they do not tres
rass on the like privileges Of or do in
jury to others. The firm foundation of
all liberty is the protection Of the indi-
vidual against the wrongdoing Of
others.
Liberty Is Unsel6shness"
"All liberty is based on justice-the
fair dealing between man and man. 1t
is the law of unselfshness. Its basis is
equality. Any class, any organization
to secure for itself privi-
leges not open to any other class or
organization is hostile to American in
stitutions and a menace to American
liberty.
There is a right of contract, of
agreement and association among in
livlduais which is to be protected so
long as the end sought is equal Justice:
out, any effort which conterplates
and force is an interference
with our conception of American liberty
and IS justly denounced by American
aW.
1T is true that we hold to the theory
OF equality, not of character or posses
'lons, but equality of opportunity and
before the law. This does not
mean that the government guarantees
any standard of achievement to its
'lflzens, but that in its dealings with
mem 1T Will grant to all an opportunity
% be heard and the right to y decision
BASED on the evidence and the law.
favor and without pSeiudice'
t is the belief of an American that he |
creates opportunity, that his achieve /
nent, his destiny, mis- greatness. lies !
lot IN IN others but in himself.
This respect for law mas been ius+i- !
led by American accomplishments. In
ne 145 years which have intervened |
lnce the signing of the Declaration Of |
independence, the success of our nation I
l@as @ been the marvel of history. Those |
mo desire to criticize, those who de- |
IRE IRE 10 destroy, will do we'll to study |
Wish to join in any enterprise of % de0
'truction will do we'll to inquire what !