Today is the Presidential Preference Primary in Florida, Illinois, and Arizona.

As each state has already or has still to hold primary or caucus shares in the experience through the weeks ahead in advance of the nomination conventions, keep Coolidge’s words with you (perhaps even pick up a print, Kindle or audio copy of the book Keeping Cool on the Campaign Trail these come from as well):

“When we vote for anything but the best, we cheat ourselves, our families and our country.” — Calvin Coolidge, October 28, 1930

“Persons who have the right to vote are trustees for the benefit of their country and their countrymen. They have no right to say they do not care. They must care. They have no right to say that whatever the result of the election they can get along. They must remember that their country and their countrymen cannot get along, cannot remain sound, cannot preserve its institutions, cannot protect its citizens, cannot maintain its place in the world, unless those who have the right to vote do sustain and do guide the course of public affairs by the thoughtful exercise of that right on election day.” — Coolidge, radio broadcast from the White House, November 3, 1924

“With a careless, indifferent, uninformed electorate a republic will deteriorate into a very bad form of government. It will fall into the hands of the incompetent and the vicious. Good government under our system depends on the ballot box…We cannot receive what we do not give. Put good government into the ballot box.” — Coolidge, October 25, 1930

The Coolidges cast their votes, 1920.

President Coolidge casting his vote, 1928. Photo credit: Alarmy.

President Coolidge with Canadian envoy Vincent Massey and Guard Commander M. K. Greene. Photo credit: Photo Library and Archives Canada.

President Coolidge receives Massey and J. R. King, Director of Public Health Canada, at the White House, 1927. Photo credit: Library of Congress.

Coolidge receives Canadian delegation: the Minister of Justice, Hon. Ernest Lapointe; Minister from Canada to the US, Vincent Massey; and Prime Minister of Quebec, Hon. A. Taschereau, 1928. Photo credit: Library of Congress.

Enduring proof that Calvin Coolidge was neither indifferent to international politics nor uninformed concerning it remains his cogent daily column published after his tenure in the White House, from June 1930 to June 1931. On this day, March 14th, 1931, his thoughts turned to the nation north of the border. He offers these praiseworthy thoughts:

One development after another emphasizes the growing self-sufficiency of Canada. At the opening of Parliament, when the Acting Chief Justice, Lyman P. Duff, represented King George in the absence of the new Governor General, the Earl of Bessborough, the speech from the throne was delivered for the first time by a Canadian.

The spectacle must have touched the pride of the people of the flourishing and resourceful Dominion. It was a recognition of their increasing importance in the empire. A proposal has been made to have a Governor General who is a Canadian citizen. No doubt that will come. It would be natural for a country of ten millions of people with a per capita wealth above that of the United States to supply its own contact with the crown.

Politically Canada looks to England. Economically she looks to us. We have invested there about one-ninth of her national wealth, while England has about one-fourteenth. Her trade with us is three times larger than her trade with the United Kingdom. Her own foreign investments are large. She has financial interests all over the Western Hemisphere. Because we represent the same economic aims, we rejoice in the success of Canada.

Coolidge’s expectation would occur in February 1952 with the appointment of Charles Vincent Massey as the first Canadian citizen to serve as Governor General of Canada. Massey had risen to the King’s Privy Council for Canada during the Coolidge 20s. In fact, Coolidge once played a joke on Massey, asking whether Toronto was near any lakes. The President kept the enjoyment of the astonished reaction to himself. Since that time, eleven Governors General have followed, Canadian citizens all. Two were born abroad, Hong Kong and Haiti, while six of Canada’s ten provinces (and the three territories) have enjoyed the distinction of at least one Governor General able to claim home there. Our investment in her has expanded to over one-fourth of her national wealth, vastly surpassing (for Canada) any other nation on earth.

So, Canada, we take joy in your growth and continued well-being. With glowing hearts we see thee rise!

Give this delightful creation a watch and listen, bringing together the art of Vermonters Eve & Steve Schaub with lines from some of Calvin Coolidge’s letters to Grace. As mentioned on past occasions, these letters are preserved by the Vermont Historical Society. As also showcased by the Vermont State Historic Sites, this fusion of scenes from around the President’s birthplace at Plymouth Notch with lines from Calvin’s letters give us a window not only into their love but a side we usually aren’t permitted to see in Cal, so often portrayed one-dimensionally by his critics. Thanks go to all the creative hands and diligent minds involved!