Evening star., 1933-01-06
Calvin Coolidge.

men and their works, assigns Calvin
Coolidge to his rank among the Ameri-
can Presidents there may be found
wanting in his career those outstanding
acts of positive achievement by which
posterity judges the great figures of the
past. For Coolidge belonged to the
generation which knew him, rather than
TO the generations yet unborn. Those who
do not live today, unfamiliar with the
Coolidge tradition, may never be able
quite to understand the unique role he
played in his age and in his time. He
was part of an American epoch and he
will always be remembered in connec-
tion with that epoch. He himself lived
to hear and to see the term Coolidge
prosperity" applied first in adulation
and later in cynical derision of dis
tinct and unparalleled period Of Amer
lean history.
Yet his close Identification with the
period which may yet come to be
known as the Coolidge age" was gained
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any similitude between the character Of
the man and the character of the time
There was once a political slogan
keep Cool With Coolidge" expressive
both of the man and his day.
1t was an accident that sent him to
the White House and it was another
trick Of fate that placed III his hands,
as yet untried, responsibility for dealing
with what seemed to be an ugly crisis
that concerned the honor not alone of
his party but of his Government. He
met that crisis firmly. But more, he
met it calmly and dispassionately and
sensibly, with the result that his coun-
trymen found it was not their Govern
ment, after all, which was tottering on
the brink, but merely the reputation of
certain individuals who, If found guilty,
would be punished. The Coolidge policy
In dealing with the oil scandals was
characteristic. It may not have re-
quired any great degree of courage
any extraordinary wisdom, any great
display of moral fortitude. Assuredly
1t was matter-of-fact. rather than
boldly colorful But 1t was dictated by
common sense, and, what was more,
It was recognized as common sense. So
recognized, it was comforting and re-
assuring.
In the days which followed and
which saw the beginning and the rapid
imitation of the postwar boom, the
thought of Coolidge in the White House
continued to be comforting and reas-
guring. There was a man who, in q
gilded age, continued to personify the
virtues of blunt honesty, common sense
and simple dignity. When the only
burning issue in an apparently care
free Nation seemed to be how to spend
more money, he expounded the quaint
doctrine Of governmental economy.
When increasing agricultural distress
gave birth to the first Of many fantastic
panaceas proposed as farm relief he
disposed of the plan as economic
folly" In his own way he was a
master and well schooled from practi-
cal experience in the art Of politics.
Yet he stood firm and faced one way
only on such politically dangerous issues
as the soldiers bonus. IF he was frugal
with his words, he used them well. His
daily routine at the White House, his
occasional public addresses and his
dealings with Congress were as un-
marked by pretentious display and were
ss unaffected as had been the course
Of his whole official life.
But through them the people came
10 know a personality that, never
sparkling, possessed a peculiar warmth
Of its own. The people understood
him, and, understanding him, loved him
To millions Of them he represented
traits Of character that from childhood
they had associated with the sound citi-
Eenship, decency and integrity of sturdy
torefathers. Understanding him and
knowing him, proud of an intimacy
that linked him to them, they came to
think Of him as an anchor to windward,
safe, trusted, dependable.
Few. If any, men who have occupied
the presidency have left the White
House enjoying the faith and affection
that he received from his countrymen.
And from the White House the friendly
thoughts Of his people followed him
to the tranquil life he had resumed in
peaceful Northampton. There was pro-
vided the ideal atmosphere and sur
roundings for the final years. Death
wes kind to him, as was life.