Milford chronicle., 1924-06-27
HE JUST TALKED COOLIDGE

DR.. Marion Leroy Burton, who
placed Coolidge in nomination at
Cleveland, is not experienced in pol
itics, and admits it, but he certain
lv demonstrated keen political sa-
gacity in the kind of speech he made.
He dealt with the personality of the
candidate rather than with the prin-
ciples of the party. Congressman
Burton had dealt with principles in
his keynote speech. The platform set
forth the attitude of the party to-
ward the issues of the day. Coolidge
stands upon that platform. Discus
sion of principles, therefore, was not
important in the presentation Of the
name of Coolidge.
But the personality of the man
was of great importance and DR..
Burton recognized the fact. 1t will
be generally agreed that his task
was comparatively easy, for he had
a splendid subject. When he talked
of moral fiber" his audience knew
that he was not using words without
a meaning. When he spoke of "cour-
age" the thoughts of his hearers
turned back to the incidents ! by
(which that courage had been prov
en-. When he mentioned "frugality,"
the delegates saw in their minds
eyes not merely the humble home in
which Coolidge was born but the
similarly modest home in which he
lived at Northampton, Mass, at the
time he was elected to the Vice
Presidency.
The personality of Calvin Coolidge
is a great asset in this campaign,
and DR.. Burton had sufficient under
standing of the public mind to see
the importance of emphasizing this.
Coolidge will receive practically all
the normal Republican vote because
Republicans believe him good Re
publican and because they believe in
the Republican platform. In addition
to that, Coolidge will receive a vast
independent vOte-the class of peo-
pie who are tied to no party but who
always "vote for the best man.
Moreover, he will receive a larger
vote from the ranks of Independent
Democrats than any other candidate
has received since ROosevelt's day.
DR.. Burton set forth the reasons on
which that Independent vote will go
to Coolidge next November.
When the Michigan college pres1-
dent said that although Coolidge
doesn't talk much" but has "fe-
cundity of ideas and frugality OF
idioms," and "his mind has time to
work because his tongue permits 1t"
he couched in very appropriate lang
uage the thought that is in the minds |
country is ready to accept at con-
siderable discount the man who is
long to talk. It is ready to accept at |
more than face value the man who
thinks straight and who talks
straight when occasion calls for
talk.
Members of the Cleveland cOnven-
tion. like the country generally, were
much pleased with the address /
which placed the name of Coolidge
before the delegates. They did not |
expect that sort of a speech from a
college president. They expected a
digniied Grafton of the old style
with rhetorical construction perfect
in every word, phrase and clause.
Perhaps it was perfect in that re-
gard. hut all were so interested in
listening to its appealing thought
that they forgot everything else: 1t
was a forceful, clear, conVlnclns'
friendly and frank discussion OF the
personality of Calvin Coolidge tnaI
completed the basis of the RepuDll-
can campaign of 1924. :,
Republican principles and poll
cies. as set forth by the platform
and the record of the party IN the
past. are, Of course, fundamental;
but in the contest now commenceu
the Republican workers will stress
the personality of their candidate no
less than their platform.