This book presents the most significant speeches and writings of American constitutional conservatives during the period 1900-1930. Figures such as William Howard Taft, Calvin Coolidge, Elihu Root, Warren Harding, and David Jayne Hill present the alternative arguments that challenged the leading Progressive views of the period. Issues such as natural rights, civil rights, economic regulation, federalism, executive power, political parties, and foreign policy are addressed in these primary sources, many of which are reproduced for the first time. The readings in this book are relevant not only for understanding the political issues of the Progressive Era, but also for understanding the foundations of contemporary American conservatism.

Chapter One: The Foundations of Constitutional Conservatism1. From Experiments in Government and the Essentials of the Constitution: Elihu Root2. Human Nature in the Constitution: David Jayne Hill3. Our Charter of Law and Liberty: David Jayne Hill4. The Inspiration of the Declaration: Calvin CoolidgeChapter Two: Tradition, Culture, Civilization, and Progress5. The Supports of Civilization: Calvin Coolidge6. Education: The Cornerstone of Self-Government: Calvin Coolidge7. Principle or Expedient?: George Sutherland8. The New American Revolution: Nicholas Murray ButlerChapter Three: Natural Rights and Human Nature9. The Progress of a People: Calvin Coolidge10. Address at the Celebration of the Semicentennial of the City of Birmingham, Alabama: Warren Harding11. The Revolt of the Unfit: Some Reflections on the Doctrine of Evolution : Nicholas Murray Butler12. Comments on Herbert Spencer's "The Great Political Superstition":Nicholas Murray Butler13. Commentary on Herbert Spencer's "The Duty of the State": William Howard TaftChapter Four: Federalism and Economic Regulation14. How to Preserve the Self-Government of the States: Elihu Root15. Government and Business : Calvin Coolidge16. The Reign of Law: Calvin Coolidge17. Social Justice: Warren Harding18. The Problems of Business: Warren Harding19. The Constructive Side of Government: Campaign Speech in St. Louis, November 2, 1928: Herbert Hoover20. From Our Wonderland of Bureaucracy: James M. BeckChapter Five: Constitutionalism, Executive Power, and the Threat of Bureaucratic Government21. The Constitution and Its Makers: Henry Cabot Lodge22. The Limitations of the Law: Calvin Coolidge23. From Our Chief Magistrate and His Powers: William Howard Taft24. From The People's Government: David Jayne Hill25. The Changed Conception of the Constitution: James M. Beck26. President Gains Power in Old Congress Fight: James M. BeckChapter Six: Congress, Political Parties, and Constitutional Government27. The Role of Parties in Congress: Speeches from the Revolt of 1910: Jacob Sloat Fassett and Joseph Cannon28. Address of the Temporary Chairman, 1912 Republican National Convention:Elihu Root29. From Liberty Under Law: An Interpretation of the Principles of our Constitutional Government: William Howard Taft30. Party Loyalty and the Presidency: Calvin Coolidge31. Political Parties: Calvin CoolidgeChapter Seven: Foreign Policy32. Fraternity: Warren Harding33. Towards Making Peace Permanent: 1912 Nobel Peace Prize Lecture: Elihu Root34. Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Nations and Opening Address by Elihu RootElihu Root and the American Society of International Law35. The Proposed Convention for a League of Nations: Elihu Root36. The Nations and the Law: David Jayne Hill37. A Constructive Plan for Human Betterment: William Howard Taft