Inaugural Addresses: Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge became President on August 2, 1923, following the death of Warren Harding. He was sworn in initially by his father, who was a justice of the peace, but he later retook the oath when he arrived in Washington. Coolidge won election to the office of President in the 1924 presidential contest, and his inauguration following that election took place on March 4, 1925 at the eastern portico of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. By this time three of the four previous Presidents (Harding, Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt) had all passed away, and the fourth was now Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and the man who would administer the oath of office to Coolidge, namely former president William Howard Taft. This was the first inauguration in which a former U.S. President administered the oath. It was also the first to be broadcast nationally on radio.
Coolidge was "not-so-silent" Cal that day, as his address of 4055 words was the fourth longest in history (behind the two Harrisons and James K. Polk). This is somewhat surprising, given Coolidge's reputation for brevity. He began with a commentary on the prosperity that the nation was enjoying, remarking that "[O]ur own country is leading the world in the general readjustment to the results of the great conflict", but cautioning that many of the negative effects of the war would continue for some time to come. He went on to caution that "We can not continue these brilliant successes in the future, unless we continue to learn from the past." He noted that the sesquicentennial of the nation would occur during his term and used this to appeal to nationalist sentiments rather than local ones. He also said that the nation could not "permit ourselves to be narrowed and dwarfed by slogans and phrases" and he commented on the coming globalism which had made the world smaller. He said that "[T}he common brotherhood of man, the highest law of all our being, has united us by inseparable bonds with all humanity" and called for the maintenance of a strong military, without abandoning the nation's "peaceful intentions toward all the earth" before expounding on the importance of the need for peace.
Coolidge addressed the notion of having the nation subject to "the Permanent Court of International Justice", but cautioned that "We can not barter away our independence or our sovereignty". He reiterated the idea of non-interference in the affairs of other countries, adding that any involvement in the affairs of nations in the western hemisphere was done "with a great deal of hesitation". He added: "We have not failed, nor shall we fail to respond, whenever necessary to mitigate human suffering and assist in the rehabilitation of distressed nations. These, too, are requirements which must be met by reason of our vast powers and the place we hold in the world."
Coolidge shifted from foreign affairs to domestic matters and appealed for bipartisanship. He said"
"There is no salvation in a narrow and bigoted partisanship. But if there is to be responsible party government, the party label must be something more than a mere device for securing office. Unless those who are elected under the same party designation are willing to assume sufficient responsibility and exhibit sufficient loyalty and coherence, so that they can cooperate with each other in the support of the broad general principles, of the party platform, the election is merely a mockery, no decision is made at the polls, and there is no representation of the popular will. Common honesty and good faith with the people who support a party at the polls require that party, when it enters office, to assume the control of that portion of the Government to which it has been elected. Any other course is bad faith and a violation of the party pledges."
Coolidge noted how calls for government ownership of railroads and utilities had "met with unmistakable defeat" and maintained that it was the public who was calling for private ownership of these things. He went on to call for restraint in public spending, stating:
"[T]he policy that stands out with the greatest clearness is that of economy in public expenditure with reduction and reform of taxation. The principle involved in this effort is that of conservation. The resources of this country are almost beyond computation. No mind can comprehend them. But the cost of our combined governments is likewise almost beyond definition. Not only those who are now making their tax returns, but those who meet the enhanced cost of existence in their monthly bills, know by hard experience what this great burden is and what it does. No matter what others may want, these people want a drastic economy. They are opposed to waste. They know that extravagance lengthens the hours and diminishes the rewards of their labor. I favor the policy of economy, not because I wish to save money, but because I wish to save people. The men and women of this country who toil are the ones who bear the cost of the Government. Every dollar that we carelessly waste means that their life will be so much the more meager. Every dollar that we prudently save means that their life will be so much the more abundant. Economy is idealism in its most practical form."
Coolidge told his audience "The time is arriving when we can have further tax reduction, when, unless we wish to hamper the people in their right to earn a living, we must have tax reform." He went on to link "better international understandings, greater economy, and lower taxes" with peace in the labor market. He said that "Under the helpful influences of restrictive immigration and a protective tariff, employment is plentiful, the rate of pay is high, and wage earners are in a state of contentment seldom before seen."
Much like John F. Kennedy would do over a quarter century later, Coolidge appealed to individual citizens to make their contribution to the health of the nation. He said "In a republic the first rule for the guidance of the citizen is obedience to law." He also sang the praises of representative government, while acknowledging that it was not a perfect system. He said:
"It is true that we could, with profit, be less sectional and more national in our thought. It would be well if we could replace much that is only a false and ignorant prejudice with a true and enlightened pride of race. But the last election showed that appeals to class and nationality had little effect. We were all found loyal to a common citizenship. The fundamental precept of liberty is toleration. We can not permit any inquisition either within or without the law or apply any religious test to the holding of office. The mind of America must be forever free."
He concluded with a message of optimism, stating:
"I find ample warrant for satisfaction and encouragement. We should not let the much that is to do obscure the much which has been done. The past and present show faith and hope and courage fully justified. Here stands our country, an example of tranquility at home, a patron of tranquility abroad. Here stands its Government, aware of its might but obedient to its conscience. Here it will continue to stand, seeking peace and prosperity, solicitous for the welfare of the wage earner, promoting enterprise, developing waterways and natural resources, attentive to the intuitive counsel of womanhood, encouraging education, desiring the advancement of religion, supporting the cause of justice and honor among the nations. America seeks no earthly empire built on blood and force. No ambition, no temptation, lures her to thought of foreign dominions. The legions which she sends forth are armed, not with the sword, but with the cross. The higher state to which she seeks the allegiance of all mankind is not of human, but of divine origin. She cherishes no purpose save to merit the favor of Almighty God."
Following the ceremony at the Capitol, Coolidge returned to the White House for a luncheon and then reviewed the inaugural parade from a glass-enclosed stand. This took less than an hour. The Coolidges were still in mourning following the death of their son John, who had died from an infected blister that previous summer. In keeping with the President’s wishes, there was no official inaugural ball that evening. Coolidge was at home in bed by 10 o’clock.