Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-02-22

~HE presence in Atlanta last week of/Cal-
vim Coolidge, vice president of the Unit
ed States, makes this distinguished
American the theme of this article.
Shortly after his induction into the second
highest office in our national system of gov
eminent, newspaper correspondents at Wash
ington denominated him Silent Cal" for, ac-
cording to their representations, he is 'taci-
turn to degree"
Perhaps the vice president may be CONVEX
sationalIy uncommunicative on political mat
ters or reticent as to party affairs, and may,
therefore, deserve the sobriquet of "Silent
Cal" but is it an appropriate appellation from
an oratorcal viewpoint? do not think So,
after seeing a book published by him in 1917,
entitled, "Have Faith in Massachusetts" This
volume consists of 274 pages, being a collec-
ton of his speeches and other public utter
ances, covering fOrty-three topics.
His bird of passage" trip through Georgia
this week was occasioned by his delivery on
Monday afternoon of the dedicatory address
of the new $4,000 900 Colored Veterans Blu
reau hospital at Tuskegee, Ala.
Why Called 'Silent Cal"
Vice President Coolidge, an astute poll
tician may have adopted Plutarch's advice:
cit is a point of wisdom to be silent when Oc-
casion requires, and better than to speak,
though never so we'll" Hence, perhaps, to
the newspaper boys he is known as silent
Cal" However, his book, "Have Faith in
Massachusetts" would indicate that often
times 1.-The silent organ Ioudest speaks"
The first speech in this volume was deliv-
cred under somewhat similar circumstances
to another address made by him. The hrSt
one was spoken on January 7, 1914, to the
state senate of Massachusetts, when he was
chosen it's president, and the other one to
which I refer was made seven years later. 1t
was his inaugural address as vice president,
delivered before the senate of the United
States, March A. 1921.
The Citadel of Liberty
On this latter occasion, inspired by his sur
roundings, and his patriotic bosom swelling
with emotions of pride and gladness in the
realization of the honor of presiding in
forum renowned in history for Respondent
intellectual encounters and brilliant Oratorl-
cal tournaments, and as the scene Of shining
triumphs for the rights and liberties Of the
American people, he eloquently acclaimed the
senate chamber as "the citadel Of liberty"
This characterization prompts me to quote
the following glowing utterances delivered
about eighty years ago on the floor of the
senate by noted Tennessee orator and ardent
southern patriot, Senator Grundy:
eff ever the liberties of America are lost,
the last great battle will be fought upon this
foor-in all time to come, here will be found
some American Cato, who will be ready to
say with the good old patriot Roman, we will
hold out and fight to the last; Heaven and
earth shall Witness if America must fall, that
we are innocent. Yes, Mr.. President, when
the Goddess of Liberty shall find no resting
place in the executive transformation the
spirit of anarchy or despotism shall eXpel her
from the other end of this capitol, she will
lineer in and about this chamber unwilling
to be gone; and when compelled to take her.I
final fight from our land, the last impress