Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-09-22
Presidents Address

Washington. sept si{The Essence
of freedom, President Coolidge told
an audience of delegates to the Holy
Name Society convention here today,
is civil, political and religious lib-
erty. as "solemnly declared in the
fundamental law of the land
"Our constitution" he declared,
guarantees it fully, completely and
adequately"
Mr.. Coolidge then emphasized that
the constitution also provides mo
religious test shall be required as a
qualification to any office or public
trust under the United States"
Il do not say that we, as citizens.
have always held ourselves to a pro-
per observance of these standards
toward each other" he continued,
but we have nevertheless establish
ed them and declared our duty To be
obedient to them. This is the Am
erican ideal of ordered liberty under
the law. 1t calls for rigid discipline.
The government, he said, was the
result of an effort to establish insti-
tutions under which the people as u
whole should receive the largest pos
sible advantage"
.'Class and privilege were out
lawed," he asserted, freedom and
opportunity were guaranteed. AM
erica is not going to abandon it's
principles or desert its ideals"
The principle which the Holy
Name Societies represents, the pres
:dent declared. is the main support"
of these ideals. Reverence for God
Is the foundation Of American insti-
tutions. he said. and ''unnumbered
organizations, Of which your own is
one. exist for it's psomotion."
The right of individual liberty
he went on, carries, with it the right
of individual property, and in this
connection he declared socialism
and communism cannot be recon-
ciled with the principles which our
institutions represent"
Out of obedience to the consi itu-
ton and service uAder the govern
ment, the pi esident declared, the
people of our country have secured
the greatest success that was ever
before experienced in human his
tory" 10"
The evidence Of this" he said, lis
all about us In our wealth, our edu-
cational facilities, our charities. our
religious institutions and in moral
influence which we exert son the
world. Most of all. 1t is apparent in
the uneyampled place which is held
by the people who toll. Our inhab-
itants are especially free to promote
their own welfare. They are I'M
h,,r Il l.
not called upon to support any i'm
Ierialistic designs"
The institutions Of our country
stand justified both in reason and in
experience. | am aware that they
will continue to be assailed. But
know they will continue to stand. We
may perish. but they will endure
They are founded on the Rock of
Ages"
Rain which had been falling inter-
mittentiy during the day had ceased
when Mr.. Coolidge arrived later in
the afternoon to deliver his address
In the Ellipse south of the white
house, but darkness had fallen be-
fore he left the grounds at the con-
clusion of the services
Upon completing his address, dur
ing which, he was cheered many
times, the president remained for the
ritual formally closing the conven-
ton. The ceremony was closed with
the singing Of the Star Spangled
Banner
The vast throng. estimated by vet
cram white house attaches as the
largest ever addressed by president,
stretched over the wide hillside lead
ing TO the Washington monument.
Speaking horns carried the presi-
dents voice to every section of the
audience.