Two weeks ago, I promoted the centennial re-enactment of Calvin Coolidge’s taking the oath of office in a farmhouse in Plymouth Notch and was looking forward to attending the celebration program. Unfortunately, at the last minute I couldn’t go, so instead of reporting, let me share some of my favorite Calvin Coolidge quotations.

"We have come to our present high estate through toil and suffering and sacrifice. That which was required to produce the present standards of society will ever be required for their maintenance. Unless there is an eternal readiness to respond with the same faith, the same courage, and the same devotion in defense of our institutions which were exhibited in their establishment, we shall be dispossessed, and others of a sterner fibre will seize on our inheritance." 

“If the government gets into business on any large scale, we soon find that the beneficiaries attempt to play a large part in the control.  While in theory it is to serve the public, in practice it will be very largely serving private interests.  It comes to be regarded as a species of government favor and those who are the most adroit get the larger part of it.” 

“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.”