Date: November 5, 1930
Location: Northampton, Massachusetts
(Original document available here)
The untrammeled elections of a free people are not only the method by which expression is given to a sound and constructive public opinion, but also the means of revealing and thereby relieving internal disorders and discontent. They act as a tonic for the body politic. Under this most whose system our people can register their approval and disapproval in a wholesome, legal way. The political atmosphere becomes cleared.
It is evident that the same unrest that has been so marked in Europe, Asia and South America has had its counterpart in the United States. Expression has been given to it here in a purely constitutional way without any violence or disorder. This is another demonstration of the strength of our institutions and the attachment of the people to the orderly process of law.
The difficulty is that future action of the national government is uncertain. We shall have to increase our faith. The country will survive. We can be sure of that. What policy it will adopt in legislation will remain unknown until the new Congress meets in December,1931. But with the same President in office there can be no sudden or violent change.
Citation: Calvin Coolidge Says: Dispatches Written by Former-President Coolidge and Syndicated to Newspapers in 1930-1931 (Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation)
The Coolidge Foundation gratefully acknowledges the volunteer efforts of David Diao who prepared this document for digital publication.