Title: Vermont is a State I Love
Date: September 21, 1928
Location: Bennington, VT
Context: On September 19, 1928, President Coolidge left Washington for Vermont to view the damage and reconstruction resulting from the flood of 1927. On September 21, 1928, he gave the following speech which contains the often quoted, “Vermont is a State I Love”.
My Fellow Vermonters:
For two days we have been traveling through this State. We have been up the east side, across and down the west side. We have seen Brattleboro, Bellows Falls, Windsor, White River Junction and Bethel. We have looked toward Montpelier. We have visited also Burlington and Middlebury. Returning, we have seen Rutland.
I have an opportunity of visiting again the scenes of my childhood. I want to express to you, and through the press to the other cities of Vermont, my sincere appreciation for the general hospitality bestowed upon me and my associates on the occasion of this journey.
It is gratifying to note the splendid recovery from the great catastrophe which overtook the state nearly a year ago. Transportation has been restored. The railroads are in a better condition than before. The highways now are open to traffic for those who wish to travel by automobile.
Vermont is a state I love.
I could not look upon the peaks of Ascutney, Killington, Mansfield and Equinox without being moved in a way that no other scene could move me.
It was here that I first saw the light of day; here I received my bride; here my dead lie pillowed on the loving breast of our everlasting hills.
I love Vermont because of her hills and valleys, her scenery and invigorating climate, but most of all, because of her indomitable people. They are a race of pioneers who almost beggared themselves to serve others. If the spirit of liberty should vanish in other parts of the union and support of our institutions should languish, it could all be replenished from the generous store held by the people of this brave little state of Vermont.
The Coolidge Foundation gratefully acknowledges the volunteer efforts of Mary Anne Oshoba, who prepared this document for digital publication.
Just a lovely sentiment by a true son of Vermont about this beautiful state and its people.