Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-09-07
alive and let live is not enough.
We must live and help live in Amer
ica."-Postmaster General Hays.
INFLUENCE OF THE ADMINS
1RATlON

facts and figures But in a larger
and more important sense, though
more subtle one, normalcy is a
psychological condition. 1t is state
of mind. At any time and under any
Presidency, the state of mind of the
country is largely influenced by the
state of mind of the man in the
White House. Placed in so high and
so conspicuous a station, emanations
from his personality radiate through
out the country, and affect or create
the state of mind of the country. The
White House is. indeed, the biggest
pulpit in the country" From the man
in the White House the country gets
much of the inspiration of its own
moods. The country is colored by
his personality. What he does, what
he thinks what he feels, whatever are
the natural and unconscious emana-
tons from his personality, set the
key of the country's temper. In
tangible and imponderable though
this is, it is one of the Presidency's
most important functions. Day by
day. the country senses" the quail =
ties of the man in the White House.
and if they are qualities that appeal
to the good of the common mass OF
men, the country tends to rehect
them, and take them on as it's own.
"In this present time, the operation
of one of those higher laws that
work for the worlds good has brought
TO the White House exactly the per-
sonality that was needed to lead the
tI< t,,rh hull Mt ne c.
sions of war back to the normal hu-
man nature of peace. If you,
throughout the country, have been
able to sense the curing and
restorative qualities of President
Harding's personality, much more
vividly do we, who serve in contact
with him. appreciate him as one
whose greatest concern is justice and
good faith. who cures excitement
with serenity, who meets passion
with gentleness, who conquers anger
with tolerance, who overcomes vio-
lence with patience. who shames
greed with unselfishness. whose test
for every decision is: What does
good faith call on us to do?' whose
approach to every problem is:
Which of these alternatives is just?' "
Postmaster General Hays address
to Life Underwriters at Cleveland.
Mr.. Hays, has not subordinated fact
to fancy to round an eloquent period.
A moments reflection on the part of
the reader will convince him that "a
surprising amount of Roadway in
our national and international affairs
has been gained since the present ad-
ministration took over the helm, all
without fuss and buster. There has
been in evidence no lack of courtesy
to all but there has been afforded on
several occasions a demonstration Of
firmness where frmness was neces-
airy, after all had been heard and the
time for decision had arrived,
And when one thinks Of the ad-
ministration one does not wisely to
overlook the influence of the vice
President. President Harding did
not overlook it and we believe that
Mr.. Coolidge possess unusual facility
in presenting homely good sense so
much needed for the restoration of
normally and as a tonic to endeavor
Speaking last week at the celebra-
ton of the 150th anniversary of the
town of Williamsburg he took occa-
sion to illustrate from the event COM
memorated the essentials not only of
the America century and a half ago
but also of the America of today: to
proclaim recognition of the funda-
mentals on which we must base our
endeavor if it is to be successful
Much has been said of our town
meetings but nothing more pertinent
ly or more applicable to the existing
conditions.
'Those who took part in these
town councils bore the significant
title of freemen. They we'll under
stood that liberty was an achieve
ment. That those who had it must
pay for it. That there was no power
on earth that could confer either sue
cess or self government on a people
If these are to be had. the people
provide them for themselves. They
assembled in townmeeting, chose
their public officials. and to meet the
requirements of public expenditure
taxed themselves. They did not de-
ceive themselves by any indirection.
They knew that they paid the cost of
their government themselves and they
rejoiced in the privilege. They were
self-reliant. self-respecting, alto
gether independent, and worthy of
their proud title of freemen."
This is a very fitting time to accord
full recognition to these principles.
The record is an inspiring one. What
the freemen of Williamsburg did I'VE
may do. must do If we are to retain
the name of freemen. And. too. they
had faith, were a people of faith. to
quote from the speaker: "They had
Faith in each other, faith in them
selves. and faith in the cause of
righteousness" Surely we need this.
salsn for our return to normally.