Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-22
PRESIDENT BACK
FROM VERMONT
Voice Breaks as He Praises
Native State in Talk at
Bennington.
BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG.

In speech delivered from the OBJ
servation platform of his special train
as it stopped at Bennington, VT, late
yesterday afternoon on the journey back
to Washington, President Coolidge dis
played more real emotion and genuine
sentiment than in any of the many
other public speeches since becoming
Chief Executive. Before he finished his
voice was trembling a bit. That, for
the President, was unnatural.
1t was while referring to his love for
the State in which he was born and
married, and where his dead 'lie pill
lowed among the everlasting hills" that
his cuStomarily calm restraint deserted
him for the moment.
Another interesting feature of that
brief speech was the fact that it was
the first he had made from a train
platform since he has been President.
He surprised the members of his party,
who have reason to know his attitude
toward platform talking, when he made
this departure. In making this speech
he established a precedent for himself.
Mr.. Coolidge did not read the speech,
although 1t was not exactly impromptu.
He decided, as the afternoon was wear
ing on, to give some expression of his
feelings to the people of Vermont be-
fore leaving the borders of the State
for probably the last time as Chief
Executive. He selected Bennington
probably because it was the last stop
his special train was to make in the
State. His decision was wired ahead
to the authorities at Bennington and
when the train reached the station
there were more than six thousand peo-
pie assembled to greet him. During
the trip he sat back in large arm
chair gazing off at the passing scenery
and evidently planning what he would
say. He made no notes.
estate 1 Love-"
1t was dusk when the train stopped
at Bennington. He and Mrs. Coolidge
were loudly acclaimed when they pre-
sented themselves on the rear platform.
So enthusiastic we're the greeters that
it took a moment or two to secure quiet
enough to enable the President to be-
gin. He spoke slowly. He appeared to
be carefully selecting his words At
first he spoke in a low tone-as though
he was converSing with small group
close by. In response to cries of loud
err" from the crowd he quickly raised
his voice. He put it at a loud, high
pitch and, as an almost incomplete
hush had fallen over the throng look
ing toward him, every word could be
distinctly heard for a considerable dis
tance.
Fellow Vermonters,' Mr.. Coolidge
began, as he raised his right arm. SEEM
ingly to respond to a greeting from some
one For two days We have been trav-
cling through this State We have been
up the east side. across the State and
down the west side. We have seen
Brattleboro. Bellows Falls. Windsor,
White River Junction and Bethel. We
turning we have seen Rutland, and /
have had an opportunity to visit again
the scenes of my childhood.
II want to express to you and through
the press to other citizens of the State
my sincere appreciation for the generous
hospitality bestowed upon ME and my
associates on this journey across the
State.
1T is gratifying to note the splendid
recovery from the great catastrophe
which overlook the State nearly a year
ago Transportation has been restored. |
railroads are in better condition than
before. Highways are now open to traf-
fic for those who would travel by auto |
mobile.
Vermont is a State love.
II could not look upon the peaks of |
Ascutney, Whittier and Mansfield with !
out being moved in way that no other !
scene could move me.
1T was here first saw the light of |
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