White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1923-11-30

Coolidge is master of readable
English. He is a word economist
and economy of words and compact
ness Of ideas is something that ap-
peals to editors. The result was
that the book won innumerable
friends for the Governor.
Editors were visited everywhere
and books by the thousands were
distributed judiciously. The men re-
ceived no salaries and paid their
own expenses. They were genuinely
interested in Coolidge and they were
willing to sacrifice whatever was
necessary to create public under
standing and appreciation of the
man.
Coolidge was told that the Am
herst alumni had opened an office
and while he didn't disapprove he
didn't approve. He could not rid
himself of the idea that he could not
under any circumstances become
candidate for national Office. He
was profoundly grateful to his
friends but he much preferred to be
kept out Of politics.
In fact, at one time when group
of Amherst friends called on Gov
ernor Coolidge at the State House
in Boston, he said:
my good friends, if you have come
to see your old friend Calvin Cool
idge just to talk over old times and
revive the memories of college days,
you are thrice welcome. If you
came here, however, to present the
idea Of his seeking public office after
my term here is finished, thereby
dragging me out before the public to
run for office as if 1 wanted some
thing of the kind 1 can only say
that I want to shake you all by the
hand and ask you to please to go
home again. l am not seeker of
public office after my work here is
DONE"
Some of Coolidges friends were
keenly disappointed but once again
their old time affection for the man
urged them to go on. And go on
they did.
Coolidge's friends went to the Re-
publican National Convention in Chi
cago in 1920 hoping that some way
| might be found to nominate him for
President They opened headquarters
at the Auditorium Hotel and from
there the work was done. 1t is
doubtful whether Coolidge expected
to be nominated. In fact, it can be
said he was nominated against his
will. 1t is probable that he did not
expect to be nominated for any Of
flee because even the Massachusetts,
delegation did not present united
front for him
But what happened at that conven-
ton is today history. Well do 1 re-
call meeting at the Hotel Black
stone in Chicago at which John
Weeks, now Secretary of War,
Bruce Barton, and other friends of
Coolidge attended. No one could
tell what was going to happen. But
those friends, loyal to the last, could
not give up the idea that that con-
vention could not end without public
recognition being given to Calvin
Coolidge. And those men were
right.
After Coolidge was nominated he
fitted into the scheme Of things
splendidly. He knew that his friends
had acted in good faith and he ex-
pressed his gratitude for their loyal
ty and support
"Have Faith in Massachusetts, I'M
doubtedly will find a new audience
now that Calvin Coolidge is Presi-
dent of the United States. 1t will
reveal to the reader that Coolidge
has a style that is remarkably lucid
and which is free of all superflui-
ties. Those who are familiar with
that book already look forward to
the reading of his messages.
A Silent Statesman
Coolidge has been described as the
silent statesman. He is indeed a
quiet, unassuming, almost diffident
man. But he is extraordinarily
| capable man as the American people
will learn.
| 1t is doubtful whether any Presi-
dent upon assuming office faced such
combination as Coolidge faces in
the next Congress. But it is be-
lieved that the nations grief over
the death OF President Harding
which resulted in an understanding
and appreciation nf the man like
that which never existed before, will
crystalline the sentiment of the ma
ton that Coolidge must be given
substantial support regardless of
party lines. 1t is true that party
politics knows little about sentiment
and that the public forgets quickly
but the shock of the death Of Presi-
dent Harding, one Of the most low
able Presidents the nation has ever
had, has had its influence which will
not soon be forgotten.
In his first statement after becom-
ing President, President Coolidge
asked for cooperation in meeting the
responsibilities which so suddenly
had been shouldered upon him. And
such a request no good American
citizen can deny.
The death of President Harding
revealed. once again what a human
nation the United States is. Never
was the grief of country more real
The man on the street felt as If he