Calvin Coolidge: Economy in the Interest of All

"One of the first signs of the breaking
down of free government is a disregard by the taxing power
of the right of the people to their own property. It makes
little difference whether such a condition is brought about
through the will of a dictator, through the power of a
military force, or through the pressure of an organized
minority. The result is the same. Unless the people can
enjoy that reasonable security in the possession of their
property, which is guaranteed by the Constitution, against
unreasonable taxation, freedom is at an end. The common
man is restrained and hampered in his ability to secure food
and clothing and shelter. His wages are decreased, his hours
of labor are lengthened. Against the recurring tendency in
this direction there must be interposed the constant effort of
an informed electorate and of patriotic public servants.
The importance of a constant reiteration of these principles
can not be overestimated. They can not be denied. They
must not be ignored. There is a most urgent necessity for those who are charged with the responsibility of government administration to realize that the people of our country can not maintain their own high standards, they can not compete against the lower standards of the rest of the world, unless we are free from excessive taxes. With us, economy is imperative. It is a full test of our national character. Bound up in it is the true cause, not of the property interests, not of any privilege, but of all the people. It is preeminently the
source of popular rights. It is always the people who toil
that pay. It seems to me, therefore, worthy of our highest
endeavor. It is this which gives the real importance to
this meeting.
I would not be misunderstood. I am not advocating par-
simony, I want to be liberal. Public service is entitled to
a suitable reward. But there is a distinct limit to the
amount of public service we can profitably employ. We re-
quire national defense, but it must be limited. We need
public improvements, but they must be gradual. We have
to make some capital investments, but they must be cer-
tain to give fair returns. Every dollar expended must be
made in the light of all our national resources, and all our
national needs."