New-York tribune., 1921-12-23
Rule of Reason
Is Coolidge's
w WorIdRenedv
Mayiiower Still Sails On,
Vice-President Says at
Il6th Annual Dinner Of
New England Society
Pilgrim Spirit Is Cited
DR.. Angel, Of Yale, Has
Some Cood-Natured Fun
Over Ancestor Worship

AAt1oHai aHalrS Dy the rule OF reason,
lesvencd and sustained by the New
England conscience bcqueathed By the
Pilgrim Fathers, was made last night
by Calvin Coolidge, Vice-Prcsidcnt of
the United States, at the ll6th annual
dinner Of the New England Society
held at the Waldorf Astoria
New England has played large part,
the Vice-Prcsident said, in the estab-
lishment Of responsible representa-
! tive form OF government founded on
the independent conscience Of the indi-
vidual citizen. Such a government has
justified itself because it is right, he
declared
/, There HAS been an increasing dis
| position Of late years." he continued
ITO carry this formula, which has
worked 80 we'll in domestic affairs, over
into the domain OF international af-
fairs. When this has been attempted
it has met the resistance OF that bene-
fetal and necessary national spirit
which has furnished almost the entire
cohesive power OF national existence
and the equally strong spirit OF SELF
reliant independence.
Rule Can Be Applied
"The independent conscience OF the
individual ands an exaggerated coun-
terpart in the independent sovereignty
Of each nation. The undertaking to
establish an Internal tional jurisdiction
under any sanction Of force has always
resulted in failure. But this cannot
mean that in domestic affairs, SO in
international affairs, the rule OF reason
shall not apply.
"This to me is the great hope of the
! Washington conference. It is the con
summation Of Ideals which, we may
claim, first found their practical appli-
cation on the stern shores of New Eng
land, yet by the very New England
| theory which expresses them arc ac-
claimed to be the common heritage OF
| all mankind.
"Thc problems Of the nations arc 30
yield, not TO conflict, but to conference;
not to force, but To reason. The voy-
age of the Maydower is not done. Her
course is set. With an ever-increasing
cargo of ideals achieved she is sailing
on, bearing the hope and ministering
to the welfare Of the world. Over her,
in the prophecy Of their ancient pastor,
John Robinson, there is breaking forth
more light. 1t is Che increasing ra-
dance OF the higher law
The Federal Constitution, the Vice
President declared, was but begin
ming of the triumphs Of that form OF
parliamentary government which New
England nourished for moro than $50
years.
From the great benefactions which
have accrued from this form of govern
Enent," he continued, "there follows the
obvious necessity that Legislatures
should be free. that they should be un-
der no domination save the obligation
to serve the public welfare.
Seeing the great function they per
form alike In state and nation, they
may we'll continue the worthy objects
OF admiration and confidence. Wherever
Legislative bodies have been lowered in
the public estimation, the foremost
duty OF the people is to seek their re-
establishment ard restoration. Unless
through them there can be provided
SCCu4lty- dS S6lllSt tnO IUlG OI 1OfCG 2lu
a guaranty OF the rule of reason, il
cannot be provided at all.
Must Know Motives
'Onc Of The most difficult problem
for the legislator OF the present day is
to distinguish between the advocates OF
private interest and the public welfare
Unless this distinction can be made
representative government, as we have
established it in America, fails, and
public authority will be designated not
in The hanffs OF those who are entitled
to be designated rs public officers but
rather in the hands of those privately y
selected to serve special interest.
"There is little danger that modern
parliamentary bodies will fall under
the domination of the most powerful Of
executives. II action be wise there
must be leadership, if it be effective
there must be organization-but al
ways as the result not of prejudice
not of coercion, but of reason. There
must be no domination either of one
man in ofiice or Of ten thousand sup
posed men at the polls. This Htandarc
is maintained in America 10 nlucl
greater extent than the public may
now suppose"
The entrance OF the United States
into the war on the side Of the right
was inevitable, as was the outcome o
he conflict, Mr.. Coolidge observed. II,
said that he thought if this outcom,
were honestly accepted and admins
tered it would result in the common
advantage, OF the participants, and tina
in mutual sacrifice there will b,
purged away the barriers which hav,
held back the spiritual progress Of th'
world"