American History
Chapter 21
America in the Twenties
Coolidge: Rediscovering an American President
Calvin Coolidge
11 August 1924 on White House Grounds
"I want the people of America to be able to work less for the government - and more for themselves. I want them to have the rewards of their own industry. This is the chief meaning of freedom. Until we can reestablish a condition under which the earnings of the people can be kept by the people, we are bound to suffer a very severe and distinct curtailment of our liberty."
After years of progressivism and racism under Woodrow Wilson, the conservative rebound under Coolidge was refreshing!
Amity Schlaes on Coolidge
Americans today place enormous pressure on presidents to do “something" when there is a national crisis. But our 30th president Calvin Coolidge did “nothing” ...other than shrink the government. The result? America's economy boomed. Is there a lesson to be learned? Renowned historian Amity Shlaes thinks there is.
Professor Dave explains Coolidge
"The suggestion of denying any measure of their full political rights to such a great group of our population as the colored people is one which, however it might be received in some other quarters, could not possibly be permitted by one who feels a responsibility for living up to the traditions and maintaining the principles of the Republican Party. Our Constitution guarantees equal rights to all our citizens, without discrimination on account of race or color. I have taken my oath to support that Constitution. It is the source of your rights and my rights. I propose to regard it, and administer it, as the source of the rights of all the people, whatever their belief or race."  (Calvin Coolidge, "Letter to Mr. Charles F. Gardner," Fort Hamilton, New York, August 9, 1924) 
https://www.coolidgefoundation.org/resources/speeches-as-president-1923-1928-8/