It was a pleasant surprise, a welcome joy even, whenever the radio could carry the crisp, familiar words of the former President. Almost four years into retirement, “Cal” Coolidge was deeply missed at the close of 1932 going into 1933. It was a treat whenever his distinctive, memorable voice could be heard on the wireless hookup flowing right into each home. At the close of 1932, Coolidge sat down and wrote these words. They would prove to be the last written for public utterance before his untimely death just five days after the new year’s arrival.

They went out from WINS headquartered at New York City’s Ritz Tower and were actually delivered by New York World columnist Claude Bowers, Mr. Coolidge pleading too weak a voice to record it himself.

Cal said:

“For the year 1933 it seems to me that we need cooperation and charity. The resources of our country are sufficient to met our requirements if we use them to help each other. We should cooperate to promote all kinds of business activity. We should do what we can in the way of charity. If all that is implied in these two words could be put into operation, not only would our economic condition begin steadily to improve but our destitute would secure ample relief. I can think of no better resolution for the new year than to work in these directions.”

May the year 2019 live up to Cal’s final wish for the country he loved so deeply and served so faithfully.