Evening star., 1926-03-21
DALE PRAISES LIFE
OF COL. COOLIDGE
Pays Tribute to Character OF
Presidents Father in
Senate Address.

While the last rites for Col. John
c. Coolidge were being performed up
in the hills of Vermont yesterday the
Senate PAUSED to listen to an elo-
quent, yet plain, tribute to the sturdy
character and high principles of the
Presidents father delivered by Sena-
tor Dale.
Having served with Col. Coolidge
in the State Senate of Vermont some
years ago, Senator Dale portrayed his
character with a personal touch that
was impressive.
"a remarkable condition is brought
to attention by the passing of the
venerable John C. Coolidge SAID
Senator Dale. He never sought pub
lie notice where he lived in farm
community several miles from lhe
main highways, and yet events nave
made him so well known that liie
announcement that he is gone affects
all the people of this country lie
was singular man--fit subject Tor
character study. Public interest
will inspire many attempts to inter
pret his qualities. Because the Ma
t;on ia concerned about him. whatever
is trulv related of him is OF conse-
quence.
Had Public Career.
"Co, Coolidge lived in his native
town Of Plymouth all ms ne, anu l'
hold official positions in 1t repeatedly
His military title came by appoint
ment TO the staff of Gov. Stickney.
Eor MANY wears he was a notary pup
lie Plymouth sent him three times
to the State House of Representatives
and the County of Windsor elected
him to the State Senate in 1910.
"Col. Coolidge took part in fraternai
meetings, which sometimes lasted 1ar
into the night. He was then 65 years
of age. and Senator Cults was his
senior. They used to lead the sing
inG. Those two veteran senators
would sing the old songs togetner'
With a power of voice and emotlon
to which the mature and normal lives
OF the singers seemed essential, they
would roll out the lines:
1.-The old oaken bucket. the IRON
bound bucket
The mosS-covered bucket, wnlch huhs
in the we'll
~ met Col. Coolidge many times In
the peaceful quiet of Plymouth places.
| saw him there at midday and at mid
night, two casiOns, each of dramatic
interest. His son had been nominated
for Vice President of the United
States. Down the dusty road came
the band of music, the American nag
borne ahead by Col Coolidge. Again
no one was in the fields and only
lamplight shone through the darkness.
His son had by strange providence
IDx,4r ~E
States. In the little sitting room of
the old homestead the oath was ad-
ministered by Col. Coolidge. The at
tention of the world was turned to-
ward the Plymouth homestead.
Applauded At Meeting.
II saw him at other places than
Plymouth and the occasions brought
to him expressions of esteem and al
fection. He went one evening when
Henry Cabot Lodge addressed great
political rally in the city hall at Mont
pelier. They had to urge him to go
to the platform. The vast audience
rose to greet him with prolonged ap-
plauSe. He was on brief visit to the
White House and he came one day
to my home. A group of young peo-
pie kept him as long as he could stay
with them in the rose garden.
"Seventy-five years he lived in his
native town undisturbed of public
curiosity. then overnight hundreds of
people came each day to his seclusion
plying him with all manner of ques
tions. He received them all with tire
less courtesy. and answered every
question without evasion. He was
asked one night If so many visitors
had not tired him. and he replied:
"Oh, no. There have been only about
400 here today"
Exciting events took him unawares.
and yet, he never did or said that
which came from other than a noble
nature. Called suddenly from sleep,
he was asked if he were not glad that
his son was President of the United
States, and he answered.: "You would
hardly expect me to be glad that the
President is dead"