OCR Text |
Show THE BACKBONE OF AMERICA There is a home on the Oregon coast, facing the Pacific ocean. It is a small frame dwelling, plain and unpretentious. Back of it for miles stretches virgin forest And in the front yard is a tall flag pole And on that flag pole for three days, the Stars and Stripes; the American Flag at half mast Proclaiming to the world that here is a home in which there is love of country; patriotism; reverence for our president who died in the public service according as it was given him to see his duties. Further back in the foothills of the Cascades, on a homes-eac in a clearing, there is a log house of a settler who, with his wife, and surrounded by their children, is hewing out o fthe forest a home. And this humble homesteader has set up close to their cabin in the clearing a flag pole hewn from a stately young fir; and the flag in the foothills is at half mast. t :':-; ! Coolidge, when he was officialy notified, at Northhampton, North-hampton, Mass., of his nomination as the candidate of h'13 party for the office of Vicer President, used the following words in closing his speech of acceptance, July 27, 1920: "We have been taking counsel together concerning the welfare cf America. We have spent much time discussing the affairs of rovei -iirnent yet most of the great concourse of the people around me hold no public office, expect to hold no public office. Still in solemn truth they are the government, they are America. We shaii search in vain in legislative halls, executive mansions, and the chambers of the judiciary for the greatness or the government of oar country. We shall behold there but a reflection, not a reality; su';ce iiful in proportion to its accuracy. In a free republic a jjreat government is the product of a great people. They will look to tlKinisclves rather than government for success-. The destiny, the r;;- att.csi of America lies around the hearthstone. If thrift and jprla.;t.y are taught there, and the example of self sacrifice oft ap-pevxi-.s, i honor abide there, and high ideals, if there the building of f'.r'aio be surbordinate to the building of character, America will live in security .rejoicing in an abundant prosperity and good gov- ' r:.nK-r:t at home, and in peace, confidence and respect abroad. If , these virtues be absent there is no po-er that can supply these bless- ' ins. L.ook well then to the he rlhstone, therein all hope for j America lieu." Mr. Coolidge was visualizing; the kind of homes represented j by the two mentioned above, where the Stars and Stripes are flying ; t half rrif.st; humble homes, but fi lied with simple faith and love and ri.:-.pi:ct and honor homes representing the common people of this grout country; the people who a re the government. "At night returning, every 1 abor sped, I Ie sits him down, the mona;rcfi of a shed; Smiles by hi'i cheerful fire, a d round surveys H.'i children's looks, that brighten at the blaze; While bin loved partner, bo; nlfi.il of her hoard, ) :.;;Iays her cleanly platter c 171 the board."- Goldsmith. |