Evening star., 1924-08-15
A Plain Statement of Principles.

President Coolidge's speech Of ac-
ceptance makes several distinct i'm
pressionS. First Of all is the absence
OF criticism Of opposing parties. 1t
contains no attacks upon other PARTIES
than that which has just nominated
Mr.. Coolidge, and in whose name he is
speaking to the electorate 1t is
couched in affirmative, rather than
negative terms. 1t asserts that the
Republican party is worthy of con-
tldence, that it has achieved results in
government for the peoples good, that
it has accomplished reforms and ef-
fected economies, that it is mindful of
the welfare of all classes and groups
Of citizens. Finally, Mr.. Coolidge. in
pursuance OF this line Of statement,
says that the government sought by
this agency is government Of common
sense.
\ clear portrait of the man is drawn
by the words of this speech. Mr.. Cool
ldge reveals himself in his brief, clear
sentences, his unmistakable meanings,
his precise expressions. He states his
case with no rhetorical f1ourishes, no
attempts at pyrotechnics. He is plain
Inan, speaking plainly and to the
point.
With regard to the matter of his ad.
dress, there can be only the criticism
or partsanship, seeking any possible
deduction as basis of dispute Mr.
('OOldue n ctot T,R -,
candidacy, forced those in opposition
to go behind his words to find ulterior
meanings, to seek hidden and secreted
matters. That is the prerogative of
the political aspirant and campaigner.
But it is difficult task in the case of
so clear and frank and comprehensive
declaration of principles as this.
There is nothing surprising in the
speech. 1t would have been, in fact,
surprising to find anything of that
nature in it. For Mr.. Coolidge is not a
sensationalist. He speaks frankly and
acts simply, and his speech reveals
the man.
Written before the delivery of the
speech of the Democratic candidate,
this address to the voters does not in
any manner meet and traverse the as
sault by Mr.. Davis upon the record
Of the Republican party. That assault
was pitched mainly upon the scandals
OF the oil leases. Mr.. Coolidge covers
that subject briefly and, from his point
OF view, sufficiently. In three short
sentences he covers the ground, 80 far
as he is concerned: THE people of
this country hate corruption. They
know my position. They know the law
will be enforced.''
Concern for the condition Of the
farmers is strongly stressed. But
remedies for the correction Of their
sufferings do not lie in false eco
nomics. A confusion of proposals for
the relief of agriculture has led to no
result. Now the President proposes
research for measures that may help
TO secure the result that all desire. Mr..
Coolidge qualities as one capable Of
understanding the farmers needs, as
one whose inheritance and personal
experience" have bred in him "a keen
interest in the welfare of agriculture"
One of the strongest notes in the
speech is that which relates to econ
olnies Of government. The President
sets forth that the annual expenses Of
all the governments in this country,
local and Federal, have reached "the
stupendous sum OF about $500, ,O0O,-
000." OF this the National Government
costs about s3,5o0, 900 900. This cost
Of government represents "all the pay
Of 5000. 900 wage earners receiving IS
day, working 300 days in the year"
This figure leads to one of the most
striking sentences in the speech: II
want the people Of America to be able
to work less for the Government and
more for themselves
The plain statement Of an honest
man. Such is the acceptance speech
Of Calvin Coolidge, speech which
will undoubtedly make powerful ap-
peal to the people of the country.