Title:  State of the Union Addresses of Calvin Coolidge

Author:  Calvin Coolidge

Release Date:  February, 2004 [EBook #5036] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on April 11, 2002] [Date last updated:  December 16, 2004]

Edition:  11

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

*** Start of the project gutenberg EBOOK of addresses by Calvin Coolidge ***

This eBook was produced by James Linden.

The addresses are separated by three asterisks:  ***

Dates of addresses by Calvin Coolidge in this eBook: 
  December 6, 1923
  December 3, 1924
  December 8, 1925
  December 7, 1926
  December 6, 1927
  December 4, 1928

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State of the Union Address
Calvin Coolidge
December 6, 1923

Since the close of the last Congress the Nation has lost President Harding.  The world knew his kindness and his humanity, his greatness and his character.  He has left his mark upon history.  He has made justice more certain and peace more secure.  The surpassing tribute paid to his memory as he was borne across the continent to rest at last at home revealed the place he held in the hearts of the American people.  But this is not the occasion for extended reference to the man or his work.  In this presence, among these who knew and loved him, that is unnecessary.  But we who were associated with him could not resume together the functions of our office without pausing for a moment, and in his memory reconsecrating ourselves to the service of our country.  He is gone.  We remain.  It is our duty, under the inspiration of his example, to take up the burdens which he was permitted to lay down, and to develop and support the wise principles of government which he represented.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

For us peace reigns everywhere.  We desire to perpetuate it always by granting full justice to others and requiring of others full justice to ourselves.

Our country has one cardinal principle to maintain in its foreign policy.  It is an American principle.  It must be an American policy.  We attend to our own affairs, conserve our own strength, and protect the interests of our own citizens; but we recognize thoroughly our obligation to help others, reserving to the decision of our own Judgment the time, the place, and the method.  We realize the common bond of humanity.  We know the inescapable law of service.

Our country has definitely refused to adopt and ratify the covenant of the League of Nations.  We have not felt warranted in assuming the responsibilities which its members have assumed.  I am not proposing any change in this policy; neither is the Senate.  The incident, so far as we are concerned, is closed.  The League exists as a foreign agency.  We hope it will be helpful.  But the United States sees no reason to limit its own freedom and independence of action by joining it.  We shall do well to recognize this basic fact in all national affairs and govern ourselves accordingly.