Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-15
A SPEECH WORTH READING


lean party is worth reading from the
FIRST to the last line-there are no SUI
perfiuous lines. He says much and
says It in the shortest. the most direct
way possible He was expected to do
that, for directness is natural to him.
He has not disappointed expectations.
IT is full OF meat. full Of confidence in
his cause and cannot but inspire the
confidence OF his fellows.
1t will do US all good to read what
= he says about political parties. Evil
IDENTIFY he 10 proud to be the nominee
of the Republican party. His attitude
toward parties stands in sharp dis
tfnction from that Of LaFollette. The
latter wants to be above party,
DECENT care for party. prefers blocs
II no can be permitted to manipulate
them. Coolidge wants government by
party, whoever may be the head OF 1t.
He regards party "a mighty con-
structing force"
He gives evidence supporting the
faith that is In him. He recounrs the
recent record Of the Republican party
in the management of the Nations
affairs. Some of us doubtless had
forgotten the details OF that record.
il deserves better treatment from our
recellections. There Is much in It
which the Democrats do not care to
talk about when referring to the Re-
publican record. They avoid or slur
II over. but It is there and Mr.. Cool
3dge calls attention to 1t. as we'll he
might. Any Republican should be
proud Of 1t, proud Of the administra-
tors and OF those who provided the
wherewithal to be administered.
The President doesn't tell us much
about his part in this. We trust his
modesty did not lead him to impose
too much Of confidence in the memoir
aes OF men. He was in the forefront
of the tight for economy. He fought
not only those playing politics. but
those who professed to be Republic
cans. and divided counsels among
those really Of his own party. But for
Calvin Coolidge the fate Of economy
in our national affairs would have
been in perilous straits. We best not
forget that, when reading what he
had to say upon this very important
subject.
He would carry this into the mat
ter Of campaign expenditures, which
he. as every intelligent person. knows
must be large. They are bound TO be
larger than necessary. In some de-
gree they are susceptible to the in
fation Of war expenditures. but Mr..
Coolidge is resolved there shall be
no deficit and no trading Of govern
about he will have accomplished the
seemingly impossible. There is a
tremendous temptation to pay for
favcrs out Of the public instead Of
from the private pocket.
There Is but one answer to this:
Did ever a dishonest government in
troduce a budget system, cut down
taxes, purge pay-rolls to make en-
ormous reductions in the debt? But
nobody believes for an instant that
the President either profits or would
profit in the slightest degree from
dishonesty. Any such intimation,
even. is absurd. but there are those
frantically endeavoring to convey to
the public such an intimation, be-
cause they know their political plans
will amount TO nothing unless they
may change the popular conception
of this man.
distinction between his attitude and
that Of LaFollette. He believes in
constitutional government; that
rights and liberties are best pre-
served. not through political but
through judicial action. LaFolletts's
attitude is directly opposed to this.
He would have Congress interpret the
law and the Constitution, have the
interpretation decided by using it as
O paw in politics.
Better keep this IN mind: This
country would not be America II the
people were shackled by government
morcpolies." Has anyone said any
thing with more pith in it and with
as few words?
And again: Our country cannot
afford to let anyone live of the earn
ings Of it's youth OF tender years. 10
anyone going to dispute that7 No, but
there are lot who will endeavor, on
one .pretext or another TO prevent It
being put into practice in this eeun-
try,. We like to think Of man like
Calvin Coolidge in a place where he
can strip away their pretense and
reveal them for what they are.
And doesn't this make powerful APP
peal, that while the country should
have liberality In thought and pro-
gress In action. SIS greatest asset In
common sense?
Some OF the Democratic leaders
have been 90 agitated to ind the
widespread confidence In Calvin Cool
idge they have cried out that It Is all
"a Coolidge myth" that he 10 q man
Of, straw. that he doesn't possess the
wonderful attributes they 20 freely
bsstow on the John w. Davis myth.
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