I speak here of perhaps, the most underrated President of the 20th century. Calvin Coolidge was a man who
served America from 1923 until 1929. A president whose entire family led a dignified life and a president who
continually reminded the people of the importance of our founding fathers and documents.
He took office when most countries including ourselves, were deep in debt as we emerged from WW1. Most of those participating nations remained deep in debt, which led toward WW2.
President Coolidge was hyper about reducing spending
and taxes...and he accomplished both, reducing spending by 30%.
Coolidge was the kind of man who was in line with Poor Richard..in that if we watch the pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves. When he moved into the White House, suggestions were made concerning new furniture, drapes, china etc. He squashed such talk, saying the present furniture, drapes and china were just fine.
One fly in the ointment..his administration had things so prosperous, that many were investing crazily, leading to
the later recession/depression..
He was a man who was taciturn in his speaking habits, rather than being boastful and loquacious, he spoke primarily when he had something worthwhile to say. ..No "word salad" from him!
This quiet nature led to him acquiring the sobriquet of "silent Cal". Here's quaint story concerning this trait which has been told over and over ever since;
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A famous anecdote tells of a dinner party during which the person sitting adjacent to the Coolidge said: “Mr. President I’ve made a large bet that I would be able to make you say more than two words.” Coolidge considered this proposition carefully and then replied slowly and emphatically, “You lose.”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Silent Cal was headed for an overwhelming election win, but chose to go back to Plymouth Notch, where his body rests today..
Silent Cal did not gain wealth while he served.. He served the people, did his best.. and went home.
https://rlo.acton.org/archives/110013-6-quotes-calvin-coolidge-on-religion-and-the-declaration-of-independence.html Plymouth Notch is about the same as it was in 1923, see Coolidge homestead below..
