Calvin Coolidge: “Toleration and Liberalism” Speech

Presented before the annual American Legion convention in Omaha, Nebraska, Coolidge’s speech challenged the growing threats of racism and nativism emerging in the United States following World War I. Speaking to veterans, Coolidge attempted to define patriotism as a spiritual bond of diverse people rather than an exclusive, heritage-based designation. He sought to sustain the unity displayed by Americans during the war and discourage the intolerance that had also emerged. Although not mentioned, a recent march by the Ku Klux Klan in Washington, D.C., would have been a factor leading to the strong rebuke of nativist ideology from the traditionally reserved Coolidge. In his speech, Coolidge further sought to explain some of his recent political decisions, such as the vetoing of the war veterans’ bonus bill, all done in the context of patriotism and selfless sacrifice for the nation. Although the speech is credited as one of Coolidge’s greatest, he failed to follow through with any political action. That failure escalated the flight of African Americans from the Republican Party. Today Coolidge’s speech is largely forgotten, although his conception of the meaning of “America first” merits renewed attention.