Evening star., 1926-05-15
COOLIDGE PLEADS
FORSTATES' RIGHTS
At WILLIAMSBURG
Surrender of Duties to Fed
eraI Government Deplored
in Old Virginia Town.
LOCAL BACKING OF LAWS
OF NATION is DEMANDED
Presidents Speech Feature OF Ses-
quicentennial Observance Of
Vote for Independence.
BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG.
staff Correspondent of The Star.

the midst Of what he so happily re-
ferred to 5 hallowed and historic SUI
roundings rich in the RECORDS OF the
past. President Coolidge. In an address
here today, made an ardent appeal 10
the States to maintain their inolVioual
sovereignty and not surrender the
management Of their analrs 10 lhe
Federal Government.
The President declared that II the
States properly dishcarge their func-
tjons there can be no fear of encroach-
ment on the part of the National Gov
ernment: If the States safeguard tneH
rights and do their duty faithfully
there will follow a contraction, rather
than an extension, of the authority OF
the Federal Government, he ampl-
fed.
The Presidents speech was maze
before a large gathering, and was
made all the more impressive because
the occasion was incident to the cele-
bration of the 150th anniversary OF
adoption by the Virginia convention
meeting in this venerable town OF res
olutions declaring for the independ-
ence of the American colonies from
British rule. and directing Virginia
representatives in the Continental Con-
cress to support a movement having
independence as its objective.
Praised by Governor.
The President was welcomed to Nir-
cinia by Gov. Byrd, who paid nigh
tribute to the Chief Executive for his
public service. declaring Mr.. Coohoge
has the respect of ali American cltl-
l,ic t'af6ripnC1- dignity and
common sense"
Besides his significant reference to
State rights and his appeal for
State supremacy, the President en-
phasized the necessity OF making the
political action of the Federal Govern
ment harmonic with the principle OF
national unity. He warned against
sectional divisions and geographical
lines, saying that this country should
be done with such things. He regret
tea that direct primaries and direct
elections bring to bear upon the pol1ti-
cal fortunes of public officials the
greatly disproportionate influence of
organized minorities.
Artificial propaganda. paid agita-
tors. selfish interests" the President
added in this connection. all impinge
upon members of legislative bodies to
force them to represent special ele-
nents rather than the great body of
their constituency"
General Good Put First.
In deploring this condition the Presi-
dent reminded his auditors that mot
only is this one country. but we must
keep all its different parts in harmony
by refusing to adopt legislation which
is not for the general welfare"
The President referred to the reso-
lutions of independence adopted by the
Virginia Convention. as providing for
the principle of States rights. Quot
ing from those resolutions the Presi
dent said they provide that the regu
lation of the internal concerns Of each
colony be left to respective legisla-
lures" He interpreted this as being
plain declaration of unassailable fact
that the States ARE the sheet anchors
of our institutions"
In his opinion the Federal Govern.
ment could go out of existence and
the common run of people would not
detect the difference in the affairs of
their daily life for a considerable
length of time, but if the authority of
the States were struck down disorder
approaching chaos would be rampant
in "a hours.
Liberty and Local Rule.
The President amplified his opinion
regarding the authority and the func-
tions of the States by declaring that
no method of procedure has ever been
devised by which liberty could be d.
vorced from local government
And, repeating his warning against
the dangers incident to the Federal
Government usurping the functions
and powers of the States, he stated
that no plan of Capitalization has ever
been adopted which did not result in
bureaucracy. tyranny, inflexibility, re-
action and decline.
Voicing his opposition to govern
ment by bureaus, the President said
that of all forms of government those
administered by bureaus are about the
least satisfactory to an enlightened
and progressive people, because they
are irresponsible, and are therefore au-
tocratic. Being autocratic they resist
all development. he said. In his
opinion, bureaucracy, unless resisted
would break down representative gov
ernment and would overwhelm democ
racr. He plainly described bureau
cracy as being the one element in our
institutions that sets up the pretense
of having authority over everybody
and being responsible to nobody.
Also in his appeal to the States. Mr.
Coolidge declared that they should not
be induced by coercion or by favor to
surrender the management of their af
fairs and that the Federal Govern
ment ought to resist the tendency to
be loaded up with duties which the
States should perform. 1T does not
follow" he added that because some
thing ought to be done the National
Government ought to do it,
Does Not Depreciate Union.
He explained this idea further by
saying that there is ample reason to
glory in the Union. and that it should
be remembered that it is from this
source the States derive their chief
title to fame, but it must be recog-
nized that the national administration
is not and cannot be adjusted to the
needs of local government. The for.
nler is too far away to be informed of
local needs, too inaccessible to be re.
sponsive to local conditions. he added.
While insisting that the National
Government should not be called upon
to perform duties rightfully belonging
to the States, the President does be.
lieve that when the great body Of pub.
lie opinion of the Nation requires ac-
tion the States ought TO understand
that unless they are responsive to
HC.,tfouod IN paco q Co1tt,,,o ~