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Jaren Johnson
Professor Charlotte Howe
English 1010; 11:00 a.m. (M,W,F)
08 March 2010
The Lodestar of the United States of America
There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, anytime
Calvin Coolidge, 1919; Boston Police Strike.
In order to truly appreciate the significance of the words of then Governor of
Massachusetts, Calvin Coolidge, it is necessary to cast a beam of rhetorical insight through an
analytical looking glass. At first glance, Coolidges statement, along with the corresponding
historical event, seems to fit the perfect form in which to establish a strong ethical position
(ethos). To the casual observer, this would be a fair and reasonable approach to take. While it is
absolutely necessary to acknowledge the ethos of Calvin Coolidge, the enduring influential
quality of his statement is found within its pathos. True to Calvin Coolidges nature, his remarks
concerning the Boston Police Strike of 1919 are direct, soundly stated, and without fanfare;
however, even in their simplicity, Coolidges words capture one of the most inspiring and
profound truths ever revealed to humanity - the very key to true freedom - the lodestar of the
United States of America.
It has already been established that presenting the aforementioned quotation and
historical event as a powerful example of pathos is not necessarily an obvious deduction. To
uncover the deeply moving and emotional qualities of Coolidges words, all of the tools of
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rhetorical analysis must come into play. Ethos will be indispensable in securing Calvin
Coolidges role, and will allow his words to be elevated to the level that they rightfully belong;
context will provide insight to the historical event, as well as Mr. Coolidges statement;
examples of other historical events will provide contrast, and the point of view necessary to see
things for what they really are. This will provide balance and clarity; it will also be the dish
upon which pathos is served, the instrument that will project pathos deep within the soul.
The ethos of Calvin Coolidge begins with his relatively average background, which
provided him with the ability to be relatable to the people. He was born and raised under
common circumstances; and yet rose to great heights, becoming the Governor of Massachusetts
and the 30
th
president of the United States. As president, he enjoyed great popularity, winning
the election for his second presidential term by a landslide victory. Pres. Coolidge is
remembered for being reserved, and a man of few words. When he spoke it was necessary and
to the point. Coolidge appeared as a great contrast to the Roaring 20s. He came across as an
old-fashioned man, with old-fashioned values living in a decade that lived up to its name.
Despite the contrast, the American people had great respect for President Coolidge; it was as if
he were the anchor for a care-free, party-liner.
Calvin Coolidge restored honor to the presidency. His predecessor, Warren G. Harding -
for whom Coolidge served as Vice-President, was plagued with corruption within his
administration, which came to be known as the Teapot Dome Scandal. Harding died
unexpectedly from a heart attack, leaving Coolidge at the helm. The American public admired
Pres. Coolidge for seeking out and prosecuting the responsible parties of the Teapot Dome
Scandal from Hardings administration.
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President Coolidge is remembered for decreasing the national debt by $5.4 billion over a
6 year period; dropping income tax from 50% to 20% (yet revenue from this sector still increased
by $153 million). By the time Coolidge left office, only 2% of the entire population paid income
tax. A man ahead of his time, Coolidge was also a staunch advocate of civil rights. He signed
legislation which granted all American Indians U.S. citizenship, and he refused to appoint any
known members of the Ku Klux Klan to his administration (the KKK saw a significant decline
during Coolidges presidency). President Coolidge once received a letter stating that the United
States was a white mans country. Coolidge responded as follows, ....I was amazed to receive
such a letter. During the war 500,000 colored men and boys were called up under the draft, not
one of whom sought to evade it. [As president, I am] one who feels a responsibility for living up
to the traditions and maintaining the principles of the Republican Party. Our Constitution
guarantees equal rights to all our citizens, without discrimination on account of race or color. I
have taken my oath to support that Constitution.....
As the Governor of Massachusetts, Coolidges handling of the police strike helped him
win national attention (which ultimately paved the way for his Vice-Presidential nomination).
The strike came during a time of great uncertainty for many people in the U.S. due to earlier
violent strikes and violent revolts throughout the world, in particular the Bolshevik Revolution in
Russia. Western Europe and the United States had received threats that similar revolts would
happen in their countries. Considering all of this, one can only imagine the fear that the Boston
Police Strike instilled in the hearts of all Americans.
Objectively speaking, it is easy to empathize with the Boston police force. Not only were
wages out-of-date by 60 years, but inflation was out of control due to World War I. The police
force was required to work up to 90 hours per week, and worked and lived in unsanitary police
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stations. They felt that their greatest opportunity for change would be to join a labor union. This
request was denied by the Chief of Police, which left the police force believing that their next
best move would be an organized strike.
Over one thousand police officers left their post and chose to strike, which left the city
extremely vulnerable to criminal activity. Riots, vandalism, and looting inevitably followed suit.
Governor Coolidge sent in the state militia to reinforce the city and to restore order. At least
nine casualties resulted from the strike. The striking officers were fired and, due to a high
volume of World War I veterans, a new police force was easily recruited. Ironically, the new
police force received higher wages, better hours, and saw the improvements that were previously
demanded.
In order to truly appreciate the pathos in President Coolidges statement, and to put the
strike into perspective, it is necessary to contrast other historical events. The Bolshevik
Revolution has already briefly been mentioned. The door for this revolution was opened by an
event known as Bloody Sunday (1905), which resulted in hundreds of peaceful protestors being
gunned down by Tsarist guards. Even though the Tsar (Nicholas II) was not present for the
protest (and deeply saddened over the tragedy), the Russian people blamed him for the murders.
As a result, thousands of farmers and laborers gathered and burnt over a hundred nobles estates,
and roughly eighty people were murdered in the uprising. In turn, Nicholas II captured and
executed nearly one thousand suspects and exiled another thousand into Siberian prison camps.
Ultimately, Tsarist rule came to an end due to the actions of Nichols II; the Bolsheviks brutally
murdered him and his family; Lenin assumed control of Russia, thus communism and the Soviet
Union became the new face of Russia for, roughly, the next seventy years. The blood upon
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Lenins, and Stalins hands is staggering, potentially tens of millions of people. Death begets
death.
Herein lies the insight into the pathos of Coolidges statement. During the French
Revolution, which was known for mass executions by the guillotine, one of the emerging mottos
came to be Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. At one point the motto concluded with the words or
Death. Compare this motto with the words of the Declaration of Independence, Life,
Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.... In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson
esteems Life above the other two rights of humanity. Life always comes first; Life begets life.
The pursuit of Happiness becomes a mythological creature if the right for Life does not come
first. Consider Lenins cry for Bread, Peace, and Land. The Russians needs were so base that
Bread became a symbol for Life. In contrast to Jeffersons words, it becomes clear that
Bread, Peace, and Land or Liberty, Equality, Fraternity were merely tokens in lieu of Life.
As I am reminded of the Boston Police Strike of 1919, I see a man who knew that his
stewardship was to protect the people. Calvin Coolidge granted the police officers agency and
accountability (Liberty), and demonstrated that Life is the very highest priority. When I hear the
words, There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, anytime
I always hear President Coolidge offer the conclusion, ; because, first there is Life, then Liberty;
which, in turn, provide for our individual pursuit of Happiness. Calvin Coolidge knew that each
of us holds stewardship over Life, that this stewardship is one of the greatest truths ever revealed,
the key to true freedom; and, that the preservation of Life has always been, and should always
be, the Lodestar of the United States of America.

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There is no right to strike against the public by anybody, anywhere, anytime
- Calvin Coolidge, 1919; Boston Police Strike
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Boston Police Strike, 1919

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