Continuing the series of three in our “Best of Coolidge” speeches from the Vice Presidential years is this exceptional address given before the Evanston Sunday Afternoon Club in Evanston, Illinois, January 21, 1923. It could hardly be anticipated that he would succeed to the Presidency before the end of the year but, listening to this speech again, it can be readily seen that Mr. Coolidge was ready for the great task. He loved his country, knew its courageous and principled role in the march of history and saw at the heart of things more readily than so many around him who were lost by political details and distracted by the peripherals. In a very real and practical way, he glimpsed America’s spirit better than we see it ourselves, especially today. Few leaders dare say what he says here yet he captured the temperament, outlook, and aspirations of a nation rapidly stepping into its own confidence and sense of modern power endowed not only by its moral ideals but by its religious foundations.

Kicking off the next three “Best of Coolidge” Readings from the Vice Presidential years, is this insightful speech entitled “The Limitations of the Law” delivered before the American Bar Association’s annual meeting held in San Francisco, August 10, 1922. While it could be said that the Supreme Court has made a few more errors of judgment than existed in Cal’s day, nevertheless, much of what he has to say here speaks just as loudly now as it did then.

“This, their expression of gratitude for what we have been able to do in this country for their aid, is accepted by me as a token of their goodwill to the people of the United States, who have assisted in the work of the Near East Relief. Will you be good enough to extend to these orphans my thanks and the thanks of the vast number of our citizens whose generosity this labor of love is intended to acknowledge? The rug has a place of honor in the White House, where it will be a daily symbol of good-will on earth…” To Dr. John H. Finley, Vice President of the Near East Relief Executive Board from President Calvin Coolidge, December 4, 1925.

President Coolidge and Dr. Finley admiring the beautiful rug hand-made by the orphans rescued by the Kunzlers, White House lawn, 1925.

With the rediscovery and renewed appreciation for America’s crucial participation in the efforts of Near East Relief that saved dozens of Armenian orphans from the genocide of their parents one hundred years ago, the “Coolidge Rug” was finally displayed in the White House last year. It would come as an equally inspiring discovery that the smaller Kunzler Rug (named for “Papa” and “Mama” Kunzler, who selflessly rescued and cared for some 8,000 young orphans left destitute) would then turn up after seventy years in the San Diego home of 97-year old Elibet Kunzler, daughter of the couple who did so much for so many.

It is a reminder of the kindness and gratitude shown out of something horrible and tragic. It is also a reminder that President Coolidge, and his country, were there to humbly serve, gladly welcome, and abundantly give to those who had lost so much. It is hardly accidental that America is home to the largest population of Armenians living abroad. As grandson of one of the survivors, Shant Mardirossian, observed, “I couldn’t be more proud of this history, that Americans who knew nothing about Armenians 8,000 miles away gave something to help them…In fact, one could even argue a whole generation of Armenians wouldn’t be here today had it not been for their support.” God bless America and the families of the Armenian orphans!