Calvin Coolidge: Silent Cal and the Business of America
Okay, let’s talk about Calvin Coolidge. You might not hear his name tossed around as much as some other presidents, but "Silent Cal" definitely left his mark. This guy was the 30th President of the United States, and he had a pretty unique way of doing things.
From Vermont to the White House
Born on the Fourth of July (talk about patriotic!), 1872, in a tiny Vermont town called Plymouth Notch, Coolidge was raised with a strong sense of hard work and public service. His dad was a farmer, storekeeper, and local politician, and his mom, Victoria, instilled those values early on.
Life wasn’t always easy for young Calvin. His mom passed away when he was just 12, and his sister died a few years later. He leaned on his dad and grandma for support, and despite not being the flashiest student, he hit the books hard, especially when it came to the U.S. Constitution. He believed it was a document that brought immense progress and happiness to humanity.
After high school, Coolidge went to Amherst College. He once said, "Education is to teach men not what to think but how to think." He studied hard under Professor Charles Garman, who taught him the law of service, which meant that Coolidge focused on what he could give to the world, not what he could get.
Before he was president, he wrote an essay in which he said, "When history looks beyond the immediate cause of the American Revolution for the justifying principles, it is very soon brought back to the spirit of English liberty. It is the same genius for freedom that has led the race from the primeval forests of Germany to the Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution."
He graduated and then studied law the old-fashioned way – by working at a law firm. By 1898, he had his own law office up and running.
Love and Politics
In 1905, Coolidge met Grace Goodhue, a teacher for the deaf. They hit it off and got married that same year. They had two sons, John and Calvin Jr. He once said about Grace, "We thought we were made for each other. For almost a quarter of a century, she has borne with my infirmities, and I have rejoiced in her graces."
Coolidge was already knee-deep in politics. He climbed the ladder, serving as a city councilman, mayor, state senator, lieutenant governor, and finally, governor of Massachusetts. He really made a name for himself when he stood firm against the Boston Police Strike in 1919, stating, "There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, any time."
Unexpected President
In 1920, the Republican Party picked Coolidge as Warren G. Harding’s running mate. Harding won, but his presidency was plagued by scandals. Then, suddenly, Harding died in 1923. Coolidge was at his family home in Vermont when he got the news. In the middle of the night, by the light of a kerosene lamp, his own father, a notary public, swore him in as the 30th President of the United States. Talk about a small-town moment!
Coolidge didn’t waste any time cleaning up the mess Harding left behind. He quietly restored honesty to the executive branch and ran for president again in 1924 with the slogan "Keep Cool with Coolidge." And he won in another landslide victory, gaining 54% of the vote.
Coolidge’s America
As president, Coolidge was all about cutting taxes, reducing the national debt, and making the government run more efficiently. He used the Bureau of the Budget to get things organized and save money. During his time, the national debt went down, federal taxes were slashed, and the economy was booming.
One of his most famous lines, "The chief business of the American people is business," pretty much summed up his approach. He believed in letting businesses do their thing without too much government interference. He was also a big supporter of civil rights, signing the Indian Citizenship Act in 1924, granting citizenship to Native Americans.
Coolidge knew how to connect with people. He was the first president to use the radio to speak directly to Americans, and he did it over 50 times. He even oversaw the creation of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to regulate this new "radio" technology.
Silent Cal’s Exit
Even though he was popular and could have easily won another term, Coolidge decided not to run in 1928. He said he knew how to save money but didn’t feel qualified to spend it. He also figured it was a good time to leave when people still liked him.
Before he left office in 1929, he was asked what he thought was his most important accomplishment. His reply? "Minding my own business."
The Final Years
After leaving the White House, Coolidge retired to Northampton, Massachusetts. He served on some committees and boards, but he didn’t have much time left. He died of a heart attack in 1933 at the age of 60. His wife, Grace, lived another 24 years, dedicating herself to helping the hearing impaired.
Calvin Coolidge might have been a man of few words, but he left a lasting impact on America. He was a fiscal conservative who believed in limited government and individual freedom. He also championed civil rights and used new technology to connect with the American people. So, next time you hear the name "Calvin Coolidge," remember "Silent Cal" and the "business" of America.