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 hischaracter. He has left his mark upon history. He has made justice morecertain and peace more secure. The surpassing tribute paid to his memory ashe was borne across the continent to rest at last at home revealed theplace he held in the hearts of the American people. But this is not theoccasion 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 wereassociated with him could not resume together the functions of our officewithout pausing for a moment, and in his memory reconsecrating ourselves tothe service of our country. He is gone. We remain. It is our duty, underthe inspiration of his example, to take up the burdens which he waspermitted to lay down, and to develop and support the wise principles ofgovernment which he represented.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
For us peace reigns everywhere. We desire to perpetuate it always bygranting full justice to others and requiring of others full justice toourselves.
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 toour own affairs, conserve our own strength, and protect the interests ofour own citizens; but we recognize thoroughly our obligation to helpothers, reserving to the decision of our own Judgment the time, the place,and the method. We realize the common bond of humanity. We know theinescapable law of service.
Our country has definitely refused to adopt and ratify the covenant of theLeague of Nations. We have not felt warranted in assuming theresponsibilities which its members have assumed. I am not proposing anychange in this policy; neither is the Senate. The incident, so far as weare concerned, is closed. The League exists as a foreign agency. We hope itwill be helpful. But the United States sees no reason to limit its ownfreedom and independence of action by joining it. We shall do well torecognize this basic fact in all national affairs and govern ourselvesaccordingly.
WORLD COURT
Our foreign policy has always been guided by two principles. The one is theavoidance of permanent political alliances which would sacrifice our properindependence. The other is the peaceful settlement of controversies betweennations. By example and by treaty we have advocated arbitration. For nearly25 years we have been a member of The Hague Tribunal, and have long soughtthe creation of a permanent World Court of Justice. I am in full accordwith both of these policies. I favor the establishment of such a courtintended to include the whole world. That is, and has long been, anAmerican policy.
Pending before the Senate is a proposal that this Government give itssupport to the Permanent Court of International Justice, which is a new andsomewhat different plan. This is n