American Minute - President Calvin Coolidge to the Holy Name Society

American Minute
with
Bill Federer

On SEPTEMBER 21, 1924, America's 30th President, Calvin Coolidge, addressed the Holy Name Society in Washington, D.C., saying:

"The worst evil that could be inflicted upon the youth of the land would be to leave them without restraint and completely at the mercy of their own uncontrolled inclinations.

Under such conditions education would be impossible, and all orderly development intellectually or morally would be hopeless."

Calvin Coolidge continued:

"The Declaration of Independence...claims...the ultimate source of authority by stating...they were... 'appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the rectitude of' their 'intentions.'...

The foundations of our independence and our Government rests upon basic religious convictions.

Back of the authority of our laws is the authority of the Supreme Judge of the World, to whom we still appeal."

President Calvin Coolidge concluded:

"It seems to me perfectly plain that the authority of law, the right to equality, liberty and property, under American institutions, have for their foundation reverence for God.

If we could imagine that to be swept away, these institutions of our American government could not long survive."