The Power of Words: A Lesson From Calvin Coolidge

President Calvin Coolidge was dubbed “Silent Cal” for his reluctance to speak. Once at a formal dinner, he was seated next to a Washington socialite who said to the President, “I bet my husband I could get you to say more than two words”. Coolidge responded, “You lose”.

It may surprise you, however, that he held 520 press conferences during his six years in office and gave 135 formal speeches, nearly all of which he personally wrote.

In his autobiography, Coolidge wrote, “The words of the President have an enormous weight and ought not be used indiscriminately.

It would be exceedingly easy to set the country all by the ears and foment hatreds and jealousies, which by destroying faith and confidence, would help no one and harm everyone.” I will grant you that Coolidge was never tempted by the tools of today, such as social media, where a President can make statements day or night. But the fast pace of information and communication in our day makes this quote from Coolidge particularly prescient.

To Coolidge, the words of the President are powerful and weighty and ought to be considered carefully. The words of the President should never be used to foment hatred. The words of the President should be used to help, not harm.

Coolidge’s restraint applied not only to the presidency. Coolidge ran for office twelve times in his career. After losing his first attempt to be elected to a local school board in Northampton, Massachusetts, he won eleven consecutive elections for offices from City Solicitor to Governor of Massachusetts before becoming Vice President in 1920 and elected President on his own right in 1924.

In all that time and in all those elections, he would never criticize his opponent by name. After his presidency, he was asked why he refused to criticize others. Coolidge responded: “I do not care to criticize those in power.” If they succeed, the criticism fails; If they fail, the people find it out as quickly as you can tell them.”

As we search for Common Ground as Americans, could we all use a bit more restraint in what we say/post/tweet? What do we have to gain by criticizing or even insulting folks who are liberal or conservative just because we personally are the opposite?

Do we agree with Coolidge that the words of the President have weight, and that our leaders have the responsibility to apply restraint and avoid fomenting hatreds?

Editor’s Note: Common Ground with Coolidge is a weekly feature connecting the words and principles of our 30th President, Calvin Coolidge, 100 years ago to modern civic life. The column is written by Lake Frederick resident and Coolidge family member Calvin(Cal) C. Coolidge, an eighth cousin of the president and Trustee Emeritus of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, with a focus on civility, constitutional principles, and finding common ground.