Independence Day and Small Businesses

What Calvin Coolidge Really Said:

Calvin Coolidge, the only U.S. president born on July 4, is famously quoted as saying, “The business of America is business.  Here is what President Coolidge really said, in a speech called “The Press Under a Free Government” in 1925:

“After all, the chief business of the American people is business. Of course the accumulation of wealth cannot be justified as the chief end of existence.“

In the last paragraph of the speech Coolidge said:

We make no concealment of the fact that we want wealth, but there are many other things that we want very much more. We want peace and honor, and that charity which is so strong an element of all civilization. The chief ideal of the American people is idealism. I cannot repeat too often that America is a nation of idealists. That is the only motive to which they ever give any strong and lasting reaction.

In the midst of the toughest time since the Great Depression, a little charity and idealism would be nice this Independence Day. Have an enjoyable Independence Day.

Image: Newscom