Evening star., 1926-04-20
COOLIDGE URGES
CITIZENS TO VOTE
Tells D. A. R. Use of Ballot
Is Duty and Vital to Future
of United States.

The whole system of American
Government rests on the ballot box,
and unless citizens perform their
duties there such a system of Govern
ment is doomed to failure" President
Coolidge told the delegates TO the Thir-
ty-fifth Continental Congress OF the
Daughters OF the American ReVolu-
ton. in session last night at the
Washington Auditorium.
Citizenship in this country IS not a
private enterprise. but public func-
ton, the President declared, and he
strongly urged the 1900 delegates and
alternates in the Auditorium. and
fully 1900 more guests. 10 demonstrate
Il greater interest in their Government
by goinG to the polls on election day
and there exercising their right of
citizenship.
The Washington Auditorium was a
blaze of splendor for the annual visit
of the President Great bouquets Of
crimson American beauty and more
delicately tinted Killarney roses found
close rivalry in the vast audience Of
beautifully gowned women. And the
shadow over the c0loTful scene that
huge chandeliers above cast a subdued
served to enhance its splendor.
Mrs. Coolidge Is Absent.
President Coolidge entered the audi
torium at $50 O'Clock. lie was accom-
panied only by his military and naval
<ides. Much to the disappointment of
the delegates. Mrs. Coolidge did not
accompany her distinguished husband
as she has done for two years past.
The President remained after his adj
dress long enough to hear Miss Marie
Tiffany, soprano of the Metropolitan
Opera Co, sing two numbers. after
which he retired amid applause
Although there was disappointment
over the failure of Mrs. Coolidge to
attend the delegates found added in
tereSt in the presence Of Mrs. Long
worth with he Speaker of the House,
Nicholas LOngwOrth. on the stage.
Also on the stage were NJ. Berenger,
the Ambassador from France; Senator
David A. Reed of Pennsylvania and
other persons of note.
The United States Marine Band
furnished concert selections for half
an hour prior o the arrival of the
President. A hugler announced the
fact that the President had reached
the door. and when he stepped upon
the stag with the hand playing Hail
to the Chief" he found the audience
standing to give him rouSing vel
come. Rev. DIR. Charles r. Erdman,
moderator of the PRESBYTERIAN Church
IN the United States, pronounced the
invocation.
Sees Danger i'm Failure to Vote.
Making q passing reference to law
Observance as it relates to the du+ les
of citizenship, the President said that
It cannot be denied that in the splen-
n ftaxN, ,Nf. A.
sense is sometimes blinded"
1T cannot he disputed" he said,
that in too many quarters there is a
lack Of reverence for authority and of
obedience to law. Such occurrences
are sporadic and produce their own
remedy. When society finds that it's
life and property are in peril from
evildoers it is very quick to organize
its forces for its own protection. That
cannot fail to be done in our own
country, for our people as a whole
are thoroughly law abiding"
The President held however. that if
was not in violence and crime that
the greatest danger lies, for these
evils were quickly apparent and could
ne suppressed. A far more serious
danger, he said, turks in the shirk-
ing of those responsibilities of citizen
snip, where the evil may not be so no
ticeable, but is more insidious and
likely to be more devastating.
AT the conclusion of the Presidents
address the band played the national
anthem. Miss Tiffany chose three
nunlpefS Tor her concert, "Ah, Love
But Day; Il Bring You Heartease."
ana JOY. The President applauded
her heartily each time. She was ac-
companied by Mrs Carl r. Chind.
bIom. The stirring strains of lie
MarseIllaise' greeted the Ambassador
from France when he rose TO speak.
French Envoy Speaks.
NJ. BeTenger referred to the French
fepupic as the first daughter of the
american Revolution" The mother.
the speaker said, was but * wears
old. but, he added. mot one of the
children of the French republic could
without lngratitude deny this mother"
AND the one now permitted to repre-
sent that republic" he continued
feels and declares himself to be your
brother by the rights of a common
heritage"
But if the French republic is a |
daughter of the American Revolution.
so America is daughter Of the old
rance, NJ. BerenGer said. 1T was
not only the French fleets Of Ternay
ana DE Grasse, the armies Of Rocham- !
beau and Lafayctte--it was perhaps
even more the philosophical doctrines
Of Foltaire and Rousseau which infiu |
enced Franklin, Adams and Washing |
ton to become the emancipators Of the |
colonies" he declared.
Following brief address bv
Speaker LongWOrth, Miss Tiffany of. |
fered four more numbers, Songs NV
Mother Taught Me-" "The Little |
Sparrow How de DO, Miss Spring |