Date: July 15, 1930
Location: Northampton, MA
Summary: Calvin Coolidge argues that self-government has proven to be a success and that government is overall a good that is exercised by well-meaning office holders.
(Original document available here)
Because the rule of eternal vigilance requires us to strive to make our government better we should not conclude that it is not already good. If any one will examine the course of Federal legislation for the last decade, surprisingly little will be found that is distinctly bad and most of that is chiefly because of the expense involved. Oftentimes the House or the Senate have come to a wrong decision which further deliberation has corrected before final enactment. Sometimes the veto power of the President has saved the situation. On occasion the power to investigate has been criticized. But even these explorations by revealing the truth or falsity of accusations have often been most salutary. If too little thought has been given to co-operation with the service which those responsible for the conduct of business are trying to render, scrupulous care has been exercised in efforts to promote the welfare of the great body of the people. The general level of ability and character of the holders of Federal office is remarkably high. The people are in control of their own affairs. Self-government is a success. The United States is worthy of the best we can give it.
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 Fr. Stephen Lawson who prepared this document for digital publication.