How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph.Line)
Quote #1
Because of what America is and what America has done, a firmer courage, a higher hope, inspires the heart of all humanity (1.7).
That's some serious patriotism right there.
Quote #2
We stand at the opening of the one hundred and fiftieth year since our national consciousness first asserted itself by unmistakable action with an array of force. The old sentiment of detached and dependent colonies disappeared in the new sentiment of a united and independent nation. […] Under the eternal urge of freedom we became an independent nation. A little less than 50 years later that freedom and independence were reasserted in the face of all the world, and guarded, supported, and secured by the Monroe Doctrine. The narrow fringe of states along the Atlantic seaboard advanced its frontiers across the hills and plains of an intervening continent until it passed down the golden slope to the Pacific. We made freedom a birthright (3.1-2, 4-6).
Nothing like a history lesson to help you paint a picture. 1926 was in fact the 150th anniversary of, well, 1776, but Coolidge brings it up a year early. Not only does Coolidge invoke the American Revolution to rouse the troops, but he also discusses the Monroe Doctrine and westward expansion as the shining examples of American greatness. These events aren't seen quite so positively now—like, who made us the boss of the Western Hemisphere back then?— but Coolidge uses this history to illustrate how America spread freedom all over the place.
Quote #3
We extended our domain over distant islands in order to safeguard our own interests and accepted the consequent obligation to bestow justice and liberty upon less favored peoples. In the defense of our own ideals and in the general cause of liberty we entered the Great War. When victory had been fully secured, we withdrew to our own shores unrecompensed save in the consciousness of duty done. (3.8-10)
Interestingly, Coolidge skips over the Civil War in his review of American history. Wonder why… Anyway, here he's using American imperialism of the late 19th and early 20th century to further emphasize how America has generously spread democracy and freedom around the globe. (And if we annexed any other countries' territory in the process, well, so be it.) And of course, the U.S. swept in to save the world in World War I, because we just can't rest until everyone is liberated.