WHY THE AMERICAN LEGION?
As I glance back over these pages I am impressed with the fact that
only the preface of "The Story of the American Legion" has been
written here. When the reaches of the years shall gather to themselves
the last of the men of the army, navy, and marine corps of the United
States during its war against Germany that story may then be
faithfully told. So the truth of the matter now is that history is in
the writing so far as the American Legion in its relation to the
United States of America is concerned. That statement isn't in reality
as platitudinous as it seems at first thought.
We have arrived at world importance in history. We have come to that
as the result of our part in the world war. Our isolation is over. We
are the cynosure of all eyes. Uncle Sam is the dominant world figure;
his hands control the reins that are driving the world. He has the
enemies which all the successful have. There are those who had, and
haven't, and there are those who never had, and want; all desiring,
all envying the power of the United States of America. This great
power and position was gained primarily by one motive--unselfishness.
Just so long as it is our dominant trait will we retain what we have
gained. Just so long as we remain true to our innate principles, to
the tenets of our constitution, will we retain world importance and
world influence.
There is a wolf at the gates of civilized Europe. If he gets inside
nothing can stop him from ravishing us. This war has bound us so
closely to Europe that we are, in a sense, one and the same. He who
strikes our brother strikes us, even though he be so far away that the
distance is measured by an ocean. We must get over the idea that
distance makes a difference. The Atlantic ocean has just been crossed
in sixteen hours. Remember, thought travels even faster.
The wolf that I mentioned is a Mad Thought. He is Bolshevism. He has
the madness because of hunger, a hunger not only of body but of mind;
the century-long hunger of the Russian peoples for Freedom. Russia has
run in a circle. From the autocracy of the classes it has arrived at
the autocracy of the masses.
Then, too, all our European brothers are war worn; tired, tired nearly
to death with struggle and sacrifice, and this is not a frame of mind
calculated to help reseat reason in the world.
Why the American Legion?
One of our great bankers recently returned from an intimate study of
affairs abroad. His name is Frank A. Vanderlip. In an address before
the Economic Club in New York City he said that Europe is paralyzed
and that our task is to save.
I give the introduction to his address as it appeared in the New York
_Times_:
"Frank A. Vanderlip, who spoke last night at the Hotel Astor, at a
dinner of the Economic Club, which was held for the purpose of hearing
his story of conditions in Europe, whence he has recently returned,
said that England was on the verge of a revolution, which was narrowly
averted in February, when he was there, and the conditions on the
Continent of Europe are appalling beyond anything dreamed of in this
country.
"He said that the food conditions in Europe would be worse instead of
better for a year ahead, because of the dislocation of labor and the
destruction of farm animals, and that the industrial and economic
outlook, generally, points to a period after the war, which will
equal, if not exceed the war period in suffering and misery.
"He said that Italy was afraid to disband her army, because she could
not employ the men and was afraid of idleness. He said that the
differential, which had kept England preëminent in international
trade, was the underpayment of labor, and that this differential was
now being wiped out, forcing England to face tremendously serious
problems for the future. He quoted a British minister as saying that
means would have to be found to send six or seven millions of
Englishmen out of the British Isles and closer to the sources of food
production, if continental conditions continued long as at present.
"He said that the best printing presses in the world to-day, except
those in Washington, were at Petrograd, and that they were turning out
masses of counterfeited pounds, francs, marks, lira, and pesetas, so
skillfully made that detection was almost impossible. He said that
these counterfeits were being spent largely by Germans to foment
Bolshevist propaganda.
"Spain would, he said, be the most promising country in Europe except
for the labor situation there, which had brought it to the verge of
Bolshevism. He said that the most perfect laboratory of Bolshevism in
Europe outside of Russia was in Barcelona, Spain, which he said was
ruled absolutely by a mysterious secret council, which had censored
and fined the newspapers until they quit publication and had enforced
its will in all matters by assassinations, which no one dared to
punish.
"He said that America alone could save Europe and that its aid must be
extended to all countries equally. He said that this was necessary,
not only to save Europe, but to prevent an invasion of America by the
forces threatening the social overthrow of Europe."
Why the American Legion?
There, at least, is one great reason.
Our men of the army, navy, and marine corps got a schooling in the
practical Americanism which our military establishment naturally
teaches. Those who were aliens by birth and those native sons with
inadequate educational advantages learned a great deal by association
with men of better types and by travel. These men can and will stem
the insidious guile of the wolf, and, to aid them in so doing, the
Legion has an active speakers' bureau under Captain Osborn teaching
Americanism in every section of the country. These speakers, in
helping to organize the Legion along the right lines, teach the
Constitution of the United States and preach that remedial changes in
this government can be brought about in only one way, and that is,
constitutionally.
Why the American Legion?
America is safe from any real danger if she can keep everybody busy.
Less than two weeks after the caucus, the national executive committee
had in process of formation a practicable scheme to aid in solving the
reëmployment problem. As time goes on this department of Legion
activity will become more and more efficient.
Here is another answer to the question.
All through these pages the reader has found references to this
question of reëmployment; to anti-Bolshevism; the protection of the
uniform; the non-partisan and non-political nature of the Legion;
unselfishness; disability pay for the reserve forces; war risk
insurance; allotments and back pay; the care of disabled service men;
one hundred per cent. Americanism, and the deportation of those aliens
who "bit the hand that fed them." The story has dealt almost entirely
with these questions because primarily and fundamentally they are The
American Legion. This program is the most important in the United
States to-day. It means the betterment of the most stable forces in
our community life, not only of to-day but for the next forty or fifty
years. It means the proper extension of the influence of the most
powerful factor for patriotism in our country--the onetime service
man. It does not mean patriotism bounded on one side by a brass band
and on the other by a dressy uniform and a reunion banner. It means
real patriotism in its broadest sense--a clean body politic; a clean
national soul and a clean international conscience.
This is the final answer to the question which serves as the title for
this concluding chapter.
THE AMERICAN LEGION
LIST OF STATE OFFICERS
ALABAMA:
Chairman: Bibb Graves, Montgomery.
Secretary: Leroy Jacobs, Care Jacobs Furniture Co., Birmingham.
ARIZONA:
Chairman: E. Power Conway, Noll Bldg., Phoenix.
Secretary: Fred B. Townsend, Natl. Bk., Arizona Bldg., Phoenix.
ARKANSAS:
Chairman: J.J. Harrison, Little Rock.
Secretary: Granville Burrow, Little Rock.
CALIFORNIA:
Chairman: Henry G. Mathewson, Flood Bldg., San Francisco.
Secretary: E.E. Bohlen, 926 Flood Bldg., San Francisco.
COLORADO:
Chairman: H.A. Saidy, Colorado Springs.
Secretary: Morton M. David, 401 Empire Bldg., Denver.
CONNECTICUT:
Chairman: Jas. B. Moody, Jr., 202 Phoenix Bk. Bldg., Hartford.
Secretary: Alfred A. Phillips, Jr., 110 Glenbrook Rd., Stamford.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA:
Chairman: E. Lester Jones, 833 Southern Bldg., Washington.
Secretary: Howard Fisk, 833 Southern Bldg., Washington.
DELAWARE:
Chairman: Geo. N. Davis, 909 Market St., Wilmington.
Secretary: L.K. Carpenter, Du Pont Bldg., Wilmington.
FLORIDA:
Chairman: S.L. Lowry, Jr., Citizens Bk. Bldg., Tampa.
Secretary: J.T. Wiggington, 818--15th St., Miami.
GEORGIA:
Chairman: Trammell Scott, 97 E. Merrits Ave., Atlanta.
Secretary: Louis H. Bell, c/o Service Record, 208 Flatiron Bldg.,
Atlanta.
HAWAII:
Chairman: Lawrence Judd, c/o T.H. Davies & Co., Ltd., Honolulu.
Secretary: J.P. Morgan, Box 188, Honolulu.
IDAHO:
Chairman: C.M. Booth, Pocatello.
Secretary: Laverne Collier, Pocatello.
ILLINOIS:
Chairman: George G. Seaman, Taylorville.
Secretary: Myron E. Adams, 205 Marquette Bldg., 140 S. Dearborn St.,
Chicago.
INDIANA:
Chairman: Raymond S. Springer, Connersville.
Secretary: L. Russell Newgent, 518 Hume Monsur Bldg., Indianapolis.
IOWA:
Chairman: Matthew A. Tinley, Council Bluffs.
Secretary: John MacVicar, 336 Hubbell Bldg., Des Moines.
KANSAS:
Chairman: A. Phares, 519 Sweiter Bldg., Wichita.
Secretary: Ike Lambert, Emporia.
KENTUCKY:
Chairman: Henry DeHaven Moorman, Hardinsburgh.
Secretary: D.A. Sachs, Louisville.
LOUISIANA:
Chairman: Allison Owen, 1237 State St., New Orleans.
Secretary: T.H.H. Pratt, 721 Hibernia Bank, New Orleans.
MAINE:
Chairman: A.L. Robinson, 85 Exchange St., Portland.
Secretary: James L. Boyle, 184 Water St., Augusta.
MARYLAND:
Chairman: Jas. A. Gary, Jr., Equitable Bldg., Baltimore.
Secretary: Alex. Randall, 12 West Chase St., Baltimore.
MASSACHUSETTS:
Chairman: John F.J. Herbert, 749 Pleasant St., Worcester.
Secretary: George P. Gilbody, 3 Van Winkle St., Boston.
MICHIGAN:
Chairman: Geo. C. Waldo, Detroit.
Secretary: Ryle D. Tabor, 312 Moffatt Bldg., Detroit.
MINNESOTA:
Chairman: Harrison Fuller, c/o St. Paul Dispatch, St. Paul.
Secretary: George G. Chapin, 603 Guardian Life Bldg., St. Paul.
MISSISSIPPI.
Chairman: Alex Fitzhugh, Vicksburgh.
Secretary: John M. Alexander, Jackson.
MISSOURI:
Chairman:
Secretary:
MONTANA:
Chairman: Chas. L. Sheridan, Bozeman.
Secretary: Ben. W. Barnett, Helena.
NEBRASKA:
Chairman: John G. Maher, Lincoln.
Secretary: Allan A. Tukey, 1st Natl. Bank Bldg., Omaha.
NEVADA:
Chairman: E.L. Malsbary, Reno.
Secretary: J.D. Salter, Winnimucca.
NEW HAMPSHIRE:
Chairman: Frank Knox, Manchester.
Secretary: Frank J. Abbott, Manchester.
NEW JERSEY:
Chairman: Hobart Brown, c/o Fireman's Insurance Co., Broad
and Market Sts., Newark.
Secretary: George W.C. McCarter, 765 Broad St., Newark.
NEW MEXICO:
Chairman: Charles M. DeBremon, Roswell.
Secretary: Harry Howard Dorman, Santa Fé.
NEW YORK:
Chairman: C.W. Wickersham, 140 Nassau St., New York City.
Secretary: Wade H. Hayes, 140 Nassau St., New York City.
NORTH CAROLINA:
Chairman: C.K. Burgess, 107 Commercial Bank Bldg., Raleigh.
Secretary: Charles N. Hulvey, A.&E. College, Raleigh.
NORTH DAKOTA:
Chairman: R.H. Treacy, Bismarck.
Secretary: Ed. E. Gearey, Fargo.
OHIO:
Chairman: P.C. Galbraith, Cincinnati.
Secretary: Chalmers R. Wilson, Adj. Gen. Office, State House,
Columbus.
OKLAHOMA:
Chairman: Ross N. Lillard, Oklahoma City.
Secretary: F.W. Fisher, Oklahoma City.
OREGON:
Chairman: E.J. Eivers, 444-1/2 Larrabee St., Portland.
Secretary: Dow V. Walker, Care Multnomah Club, Portland.
PENNSYLVANIA:
Chairman and Secretary: George F. Tyler, 121 S. 5th St.,
Philadelphia.
RHODE ISLAND:
Chairman: Alexander H. Johnson, City Hall, Providence.
Secretary: James E. Cummiskey, Crompton.
SOUTH CAROLINA:
Chairman: John D. Smyser, M.D., 423 South Gargan St., Florence.
Secretary: Ben. D. Fulton, 32 West Evans St., Florence.
SOUTH DAKOTA:
Chairman: T.R. Johnson, Sioux Falls.
Secretary: J.C. Denison, Vermillion.
TENNESSEE:
Chairman: Roan Waring, Bank of Commerce and Trust Co. Bldg., Memphis.
Secretary: W.R. Craig, Nat. Life and Accident Co., Nashville, Tenn.
TEXAS:
Chairman: Claude B. Birkhead, San Antonio.
Secretary: J.A. Belzer, Austin.
UTAH:
Chairman: Harold R. Smoot, Salt Lake City.
Secretary: Baldwin Robertson, 409 Ten Boston Bldg., Salt Lake City.
VIRGINIA:
Chairman: Andrew D. Christian, c/o Ruy & Power Bldg., Richmond.
Secretary: R.G.M. Ross, 508 1st Nat'l. Bank Bldg. Newport News.
VERMONT:
Chairman: H. Nelson Jackson, Burlington.
Secretary: Joseph H. Fountain, 138 Colchester Ave., Burlington.
WASHINGTON.
Chairman: Harvey A. Moss, Seattle.
Secretary: George R. Drever, c/o Adj. Gen. Office, Armory, Seattle.
WEST VIRGINIA:
Chairman: Jackson Arnold, 111 Court Ave., Weston.
Secretary: Chas. McCamic, 904 Nat'l. Bank of West Virginia Bldg.,
Wheeling.
WISCONSIN:
Chairman: E.F. Ackley, 226 First Nat'l. Bk. Bldg., Milwaukee.
Secretary: R.N. Gibson, Grand Rapids.
WYOMING:
Chairman: A.H. Beach, Lusk.
Secretary: R.H. Nichols, Casper.
CONSTITUTION OF THE AMERICAN LEGION
AS ADOPTED BY
THE ST. LOUIS CAUCUS
May 10, 1919
PREAMBLE
For God and Country we associate ourselves together for the following
purposes:
To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America;
to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred per
cent. Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our
association in the Great War; to inculcate a sense of individual
obligation to the community, state, and nation; to combat the
autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master
of might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to safeguard and
transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom, and
democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion
to mutual helpfulness.
ARTICLE I
_Name_
The name of this organization shall be THE AMERICAN LEGION.
ARTICLE II
_Membership_
All persons shall be eligible to membership in this organization who
were in the military or naval service of the United States during the
period between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918, both dates
inclusive, and all persons who served in the military or naval
services of any of the governments associated with the United States
during the World War, provided that they were citizens of the United
States at the time of their enlistment, and are again citizens at the
time of application, except those persons who separated from the
service under terms amounting to dishonorable discharge and except
also those persons who refused to perform their military duties on the
ground of conscientious or political obligation.
ARTICLE III
_Nature_
While requiring that every member of the organization perform his full
duty as a citizen according to his own conscience and understanding,
the organization shall be absolutely non-partisan, and shall not be
used for the dissemination of partisan principles, or for the
promotion of the candidacy of any person seeking public office or
preferment.
ARTICLE IV
_Administration_
I. The Legislative Body of the organization shall be a national
convention, to be held annually at a place and time to be fixed by
vote of the preceding convention, or in the event that the preceding
convention does not fix a time and place, then such time and place
shall be fixed by the Executive Committee, hereinafter provided for.
2. The annual convention shall be composed of delegates and alternates
from each state, the District of Columbia, and each territory and
territorial possession of the United States, each of which shall be
entitled to four delegates and four alternates, and to one additional
delegate and alternate for each one thousand memberships paid up
thirty days prior to the date of the national convention. The vote of
each state, of the District of Columbia, and of each territory or
territorial possession of the United States shall be equal to the
total number of delegates to which that state, district, territory, or
territorial possession is entitled.
3. The delegates to the national convention shall be chosen by each
state in the manner hereinafter prescribed.
4. The executive power shall be vested in a National Executive
Committee to be composed of two representatives from each state, the
District of Columbia, territory and territorial possessions of the
United States and such other ex-officio members as may be elected by
the Caucus. The National Executive Committee shall have authority to
fill any vacancies in its membership.
ARTICLE V
_State Organization_
The state organization shall consist of that organization in each
state, territory, or the District of Columbia whose delegates have
been seated in the St. Louis Caucus. In those states which are at
present unorganized the state organization shall consist of an
Executive Committee to be chosen by a state convention and such other
officers and committees as said convention may prescribe. The state
convention in the latter case shall be called by the two members of
the National Executive Committee in that state, territory, and the
District of Columbia, and shall choose the delegates to the national
convention, providing a fair representation for all sections of the
state or territory. Each state organization shall receive a charter
from the National Executive Committee.
The officers of the state organization shall be as follows:
One State Commander.
One State Vice Commander.
One State Adjutant.
One State Finance Officer.
One State Historian.
One State Master-at-Arms.
One State Chaplain.
ARTICLE VI
_The Local Unit_
The local unit shall be termed the Post, which shall have a minimum
membership of fifteen. No Post shall be received into this
organization until it shall have received a charter. A Post desiring a
charter shall apply to the State Organization and the charter shall be
issued by the National Executive Committee whenever recommended by the
State Organization. The National Executive Committee shall not issue a
charter in the name of any living person.
The officers of the local organization shall be as follows:
One Post Commander.
One Post Vice Commander.
One Post Adjutant.
One Post Finance Officer.
One Post Historian.
One Post Chaplain.
and such appointive officers as may be provided by the State
Organization.
ARTICLE VII
_Dues_
Each state organization shall pay to the National Executive Committee
or such officer as said committee may designate therefor, the sum of
twenty-five cents annually, for each individual member in that
particular state, District of Columbia, territory, or territorial
possession.
ARTICLE VIII
_Quorum_
A quorum shall exist at a national convention when there are present
twenty-five or more states and territories partially or wholly
represented as herein-before provided.
ARTICLE IX
_Rules_
The rules of procedure at the national convention shall be those set
forth in Roberts' Rules of Order.
ARTICLE X
_Amendment_
This Constitution is to be in force until the November Convention,
when it will be ratified or amended by that Convention.
RESOLUTIONS
PASSED BY
THE ST. LOUIS CAUCUS, AMERICAN LEGION
May 10, 1919.
_1. Endorsement of the Victory Liberty Loan._
WHEREAS, the Government of the United States has appealed to the
country for financial support in order to provide the funds for
expenditures made necessary in the prosecution of the war and to
reestablish the country upon a Peace basis; therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That this caucus emphatically endorses the Victory Liberty
Loan and urges all Americans to promote the success of the Loan in
every manner possible.
_2. Conscientious Objectors._
RESOLVED: That this caucus go on record as condemning the action of
those responsible for protecting the men who refused full military
service to the United States, in accordance with the Act of Congress
of May 18, 1917, and who were tried by General Court Martial,
sentenced to prison, and later fully pardoned, restored to duty, and
honorably discharged, with all back pay and allowances given them;
and as condemning further the I.W.W.'s, International Socialists, and
Anarchists in their efforts to secure the release of these men already
pardoned, and those still in prison, serving sentence, and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That this caucus demand full and complete
investigation by Congress, of the trial and conviction of these
parties, and their subsequent pardon.
_3. Protection of the Uniform._
WHEREAS, it is recognized that the uniform of the United States is as
much a symbol as the flag itself, and thereby entitled to fitting
respect, and, Whereas, certain unscrupulous firms and individuals have
taken nefarious advantage of popular sentiment by utilizing men in
uniforms as peddlers and sales-agents, and,
WHEREAS, certain discharged men have so far forgotten the respect due
the uniform they wear, as to use it as an aid in peddling goods;
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED: That this national caucus go on record as being
unalterably opposed to such practices, and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That each state and local organization here
represented be urged to do all in its power to put an end to this
misuse of the uniform, which has always been worn with honor and for
noble purposes.
_4. Reclamation of Arid, Swamp, and Cut-Over Timber Lands._
WHEREAS, the reclamation of arid, swamp, and cut-over timber lands is
one of the great constructive problems of immediate interest to the
nation; and,
WHEREAS, one of the questions for immediate consideration is that of
presenting to discharged soldiers and sailors an opportunity to
establish homes and create for themselves a place in the field of
constructive effort; and,
WHEREAS, one of the purposes for which the formation of the American
Legion is contemplated is to take an energetic interest in all
constructive measures designed to promote the happiness and
contentment of the people, and to actively encourage all proper
movements of a general nature to assist the men of the Army and Navy
in solving the problems of wholesome existence; and,
WHEREAS, the Department of the Interior and the Reclamation Service
have been engaged in formulating and presenting to the country broad,
constructive plans for the reclamation of arid, swamp and cut-over
timber lands;
Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: By the caucus of delegates of the
American Legion in Convention assembled, in the City of Saint Louis,
Missouri, that we endorse the efforts heretofore made for the
reclamation of lands, and we respectfully urge upon the Congress of
the United States the adoption at an early date of broad and
comprehensive legislation for economic reclamation of all lands
susceptible of reclamation and production.
_5. Reëmployment of Ex-Service Men._
WHEREAS, one of the most important questions of Readjustment and
Reconstruction, is the question of employment of the returning and
returned soldiers and sailors, and,
WHEREAS, no principle is more sound than that growing out of the
general patriotic attitude toward the returning soldier vouchsafing
to him return to his former employment, or a better job;
BE IT RESOLVED, That the American Legion in national caucus assembled,
declares to the people of the United States that no act can be more
unpatriotic in these most serious days of Readjustment and
Reconstruction than the violation of the principle announced, which
pledges immediate reëmployment to the returned soldier; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the American Legion in its National
Caucus assembled does hereby declare itself as supporting in every
proper way, the efforts of the ex-service men to secure reëmployment,
and recommends that simple patriotism requires that ex-soldiers,
sailors, or marines be given preference whenever additional men are to
be employed in any private or public enterprise; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the American Legion recommends to
Congress the prompt enactment of a program for internal improvement,
having in view the necessity therefor, and as an incident the
absorption of the surplus labor of the country, giving preference to
discharged ex-service men.
_6. Disability Pay._
Whereas, under the provisions of the existing law an obvious injustice
is done to the civilian who entered the military service, and as an
incident to that service is disabled; therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED: That this Caucus urge upon Congress the enactment of
legislation, which will place upon an equal basis as to retirement for
disability incurred in active service during the War with the Central
Powers of Europe, all officers and enlisted men who served in the
Military and Naval forces of the United States during the War,
irrespective of whether they happened to serve in the Regular Army, or
in the National Guard or National Army.
_7. War Risk Insurance._
WHEREAS, one of the purposes of this organization is: "To protect,
assist, and promote the general welfare of all persons in the Military
and Naval service of the United States, and those dependent upon
them," and,
WHEREAS, owing to the speedy demobilization of the men in the service,
who have not had their rights, privileges and benefits under the War
Risk Insurance Act fully explained to them, and these men, therefore,
are losing daily, such rights, privileges and benefits, which may
never again be restored; and,
WHEREAS, it is desirable that every means be pursued to acquaint the
men of their full rights, privileges, and benefits under the said Act,
and to prevent the loss of the said rights, benefits and privileges;
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED: That the American Legion pledges its most energetic
support to a campaign of sound education and widespread activity, to
the end that the rights, privileges and benefits under the War Risk
Insurance Act be conserved, and that the men discharged from the
service, be made to realize what are their rights under this act; and
that the Executive Committee be empowered and directed to confer with
the War Risk Insurance Bureau, that it may carry out the purposes
herein expressed; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That it is the sense of this Caucus that the
War Risk Insurance Act be amended to provide that the insured, under
the Act, may be allowed to elect whether his insurance, upon maturity,
shall be paid as an annuity, or in one payment; and that he may
select his beneficiaries regardless of family relationship.
_8. Alien Slackers._
WHEREAS, there was a law passed by the Congress of these United States
in July, 1918, known as an Amendment to Selective Service Act, giving
persons within the draft age, who had taken out first papers for
American citizenship, the privilege of turning in said first papers to
their local exemption board and thereby become exempt from service,
and,
WHEREAS, thousands of men within draft age who had been in this
country for many years and had signified their intention to become
citizens, took advantage of this law and thereby became exempted from
military service, or were discharged from military service by reason
thereof, and have taken lucrative positions in the mills, shipyards
and factories; and,
WHEREAS, in the great world war for democracy the rank and file of the
best of our American manhood have suffered and sacrificed itself in
order to uphold the principles upon which this country was founded,
and for which they were willing to give up their life's blood; and,
WHEREAS, these counterfeit Americans who revoked their citizenship in
our opinion would contaminate the 100 per cent. true American soldier,
sailor, or marine who will shortly return to again engage in the
gainful pursuits of life; therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That we, the American Legion, do demand the Congress of
these United States to immediately enact a law to send these aliens,
who withdrew their first papers, back to the country from which they
came. The country in which we live, and for which we are willing to
fight is good enough for us; but this country in which they have lived
and prospered, yet for which they were unwilling to fight, is too
good for them, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That we demand the immediate deportation of
every alien enemy who was interned during the war, whether the said
alien enemy be now interned or has been paroled.
_9. Disabled Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines._
BE IT RESOLVED: That the delegates from the several states shall
instruct their respective organizations to see that every disabled
soldier, sailor and marine be brought into contact with the
Rehabilitation Department of the Federal Board at Washington, D.C.,
and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the secretaries of the various states be
instructed to write to the Federal Board for literature as to what it
offers to disabled men, and that the members of the Legion be
instructed to distribute this literature and to aid the wounded
soldiers, sailors and marines, to take advantage of governmental
assistance and that every effort be made by the American Legion in the
several states to stop any attempt to pauperize disabled men.
_10. Espionage Act._
RESOLVED: That every naturalized citizen convicted under the Espionage
Act shall have his citizenship papers vacated, and when they shall
have served their sentence they shall be deported to the country from
which they came.
_11. Resolutions._
BE IT RESOLVED: That copies of these resolutions be forwarded to every
member of the United States Senate and to each Representative in
Congress.
LEGION FACTS
What has gone before is the story of the American Legion in the
making. Now it is a going, growing institution.
Because it will be of vital interest and importance to every one of
the four million Americans who wore the uniform, the following
information concerning the American Legion, in the form of questions
and answers, is here given, as follows:
(1) _What is the American Legion_?
(a) It is the organization of American veterans of the World
War.
(2) _Who is eligible_?
(a) Any soldier, sailor or marine who served honorably between
April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918.
(3) _Are women eligible_?
(a) Yes, those who were regularly enlisted or commissioned in
the army, navy or marine corps.
(4) _When was the Legion started_?
(a) It was first organized in Paris, March 15 to 17, 1919, by a
thousand officers and men, delegates from all the units of the
American Expeditionary Force to an organization caucus meeting,
which adopted a tentative constitution and selected the name
"American Legion."
(5) _What has been done in America regarding it_?
(a) The action of the Paris meeting was confirmed and endorsed
by a similar meeting held in St. Louis, May 8 to 10, 1919, when
the Legion was formally recognized by the troops who served in
the United States.
(6) _Are the organizations in France and America separate_?
(a) No. The Paris caucus appointed an Executive Committee of
seventeen officers and men to represent the troops in France in
the conduct of the Legion. The St. Louis caucus appointed a
similar Committee of Seventeen. These two Executive Committees
have amalgamated and are now the governing body of the Legion.
(7) _Who are the officers of this national governing body_?
(a) Henry D. Lindsley, Texas, Chairman; Bennett C. Clark,
Missouri, Vice-Chairman; Eric Fisher Wood, Pennsylvania,
Secretary; Gaspar G. Bacon, Massachusetts, Treasurer.
(8) _Where are the temporary National Headquarters of the
Legion_?
(a) At 19 West 44th Street, New York City.
(9) _When will the final step in the organization of the Legion
take place_?
(a) November 10, 11 and 12, at Minneapolis, Minn., when a great
National Convention will be held.
(10) _Why were those dates selected_?
(a) Because by that time practically all of the men of the
A.E.F. will be at home and will have been able to participate in
the election of their delegates to the Convention.
(11) _Who were some of the men who initiated the formation of
the Legion_?
(a) Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt, of the First Division; Col.
Henry D. Lindsley, formerly Mayor of Dallas, Texas; Sgt. "Jack"
Sullivan, of Seattle; Lt. Col. Franklin D'Olier, of
Philadelphia; Ex-Senator Luke Lea, of Tennessee; Lt. Col.
Frederick Huedekoper, of Washington, D.C.; Major Redmond C.
Stewart, of Baltimore; Wagoner Dale Shaw, of Iowa; Lt. Col.
George A. White, of Oregon; "Bill" Donovan, of the "Fighting
69th"; Major Thomas R. Gowenlock, of Illinois; Sgt. Alvin C.
York, of Tennessee; Colonel John Price Jackson, of the S.O.S.;
Lt. Col. "Jack" Greenway, of Arizona; Sgt. Roy C. Haines, of
Maine; George Edward Buxton, of Rhode Island; Eric Fisher Wood,
of Pennsylvania; Chaplain John W. Inzer, of Alabama; Lt. Col.
David M. Goodrich, of Akron; Chief Petty Officer B.J. Goldberg,
of Chicago; "Tom" Miller, of Delaware; Major Alex. Laughlin,
Jr., of Pittsburgh; Major Henry Leonard, of the Marine Corps;
Dwight J. Davis, of the 35th Division; Corporal Charles S. Pew,
of Montana; General William G. Price, of the 28th Division;
Bishop Charles S. Brent, Senior Chaplain of the A.E.F.; General
O'Ryan, of the 27th Division; Stewart Edward White, of
California; Private Jesus M. Baca, of New Mexico; General
Charles H. Cole, of the 26th Division; Sgt. E.L. Malsbary, of
Nevada; Lt. Samuel Gompers, Jr., of New York; Col. Henry L.
Stimpson, Ex-Secretary of War; Lt. Col. Charles W. Whittlesey,
Commander of the "Lost Battalion"; Leroy Hoffman, of Oklahoma;
Lt. Col. A. Piatt Andrew, of the American Ambulance in France;
General Harvey J. Moss, of the State of Washington; John
MacVicar, Mayor of Des Moines before the War; Sgt. George H.H.
Pratt, of New Orleans; Col. F.C. Galbraith, of Cincinnati;
Corporal Joseph H. Fountain, of Vermont; Devereux Milburn, of
the 78th Division; Lt. Col. Wilbur Smith, of the 89th Division;
Sgt. Theodore Myers, of Pennsylvania; Col. Bennett C. Clark, son
of Champ Clark; Robert Bacon, Ex-Secretary of State.
(12) _What did the Legion, do at its St. Louis caucus_?
(a) It demanded investigation of the pardon and subsequent
honorable discharge by the War Department of convicted
conscientious objectors.
(b) It condemned the action of the I.W.Ws., the Anarchists, and
the International Socialists.
(c) It protested against certain nefarious business concerns who
are employing men in uniform to peddle their wares.
(d) It recommended that Congress should take steps to reclaim
arid, swamp and cut over timber lands and give the work of doing
this to ex-service men, and give the land to them when it had
been made available for farming purposes.
(e) It demanded of Congress the same disability pay for men of
the National Guard and National Army as now pertains to those in
the Regular establishment.
(f) It initiated a campaign to secure to service men their
rights and privileges under the War Risk Insurance Act.
(g) It demanded that Congress should deport to their own
countries those aliens who refused to join the colors at the
outbreak of the war, and pleaded their citizenship in other
countries to escape the draft.
(h) It undertook to see that disabled soldiers, sailors and
marines should be brought into contact with the Rehabilitation
Department of the Government, which department helps them to
learn and gain lucrative occupations.
(i) It authorized the appointment of a competent legislative
committee to see that the above recommendations were effectively
acted upon by Congress, and that committee has been appointed
and is now at work.
(j) It authorized the establishment of a bureau to aid service
men to get re-employment; and of a legal bureau to help them get
from the Government their overdue pay and allotments. These two
bureaus are being organized at the National Headquarters of the
Legion and will be in active operation by July 1st.
(13) _What else did the St. Louis caucus do_?
(a) It endorsed all steps taken by the Paris caucus, and adopted
a temporary constitution which conformed to the tentative
constitution adopted in Paris.
(14) _What does this Constitution stand for_?
(a) The preamble answers that question; it reads: "For God and
Country we associate ourselves together for the following
purposes: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United
States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and
perpetuate a one hundred per cent. Americanism; to preserve the
memories and incidents of our association in the Great War; to
inculcate a sense of individual obligations to the community,
state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes
and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote
peace and good will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to
posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to
consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to
mutual helpfulness."
(15) _How does the Legion govern itself_?
(a) The Constitution provides that the legislative body of the
organization shall be a national convention, to be held annually
... composed of delegates and alternates from each state, from
the District of Columbia and from each territory and territorial
possession of the United States.
(16) _How is the Legion organized_?
(a) It is composed of State Branches, and these in turn are made
up of Local Posts.
(17) _What is a Local Post_?
(a) The Constitution states that a Local Post shall have a
minimum membership of fifteen. No Post shall be received into
the Legion until it has received a charter. A Post desiring a
charter shall apply for it to the State Branch, and the charter
will be issued, upon recommendation of this State Branch, by the
National Executive Committee. No Post may be named after any
living person.
(18) _How can I join the American Legion_?
(a) By filling out the Enrollment Blank on the last page of this
booklet and mailing it to the State Secretary of your home
state, whose name is listed below. If there is a Local Post in
your home town, your name and address will be sent to the Post
Commander. If there is no Post in your home town, START ONE,
write your State Secretary for the necessary particulars. The
State Secretaries are:
ALABAMA.--Leroy Jacobs, care Jacobs Furniture Co., Birmingham.
ARIZONA.--Fred B. Townsend, National Bank, Arizona Bldg.,
Phoenix.
ARKANSAS.--Granville Burrow, Little Rock.
CALIFORNIA.--E.E. Bohlen, 926 Flood Bldg., San Francisco.
COLORADO.--Morton M. David, 401 Empire Bldg., Denver.
CONNECTICUT.--Alfred A. Phillips, Jr., 110 Glenbrook Rd.,
Stamford.
DELAWARE.--L.K. Carpenter, Du Pont Bldg., Wilmington.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.--Howard Fisk, 833 Southern Bldg.,
Washington.
FLORIDA.--J.T. Wiggington, 818 15th St., Miami.
GEORGIA.--Louis H. Bell, care of Service Record, 208 Flatiron
Bldg., Atlanta.
HAWAII.--J.P. Morgan, Box 188, Honolulu.
IDAHO.--Laverne Collier, Pocatello.
ILLINOIS.--Name not received yet.
INDIANA.--L. Russell Newgent, 518 Hume Monsur Bldg.,
Indianapolis.
IOWA.--John MacVicar, 336 Hubbell Bldg., Des Moines.
KANSAS.--Ike Lambert, Emporia.
KENTUCKY.--D.A. Sachs, Louisville.
LOUISIANA.--T.H.H. Pratt, 721 Hibernia Bank, New Orleans.
MAINE.--James L. Boyle, 184 Water St., Augusta.
MARYLAND.--Alex. Randall, 12 West Chase St., Baltimore.
MASSACHUSETTS.--George F. Gilbody, 3 Van Winkle St., Boston.
MICHIGAN.--Ryle D. Tabor, 312 Moffatt Bldg., Detroit.
MINNESOTA.--Merle E. Eaton, care of Lee & Lewis Grain Co., 200
Corn Exchange Bldg., Minneapolis.
MISSISSIPPI.--John M. Alexander, Jackson.
MISSOURI.--Ed. J. Cahill, Service Commission, Jefferson City.
MONTANA.--Ben W. Barnett, Helena.
NEBRASKA.--Allan A. Tukey, 1st National Bank Bldg., Omaha.
NEVADA.--J.D. Salter, Winnimucca.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.--Frank J. Abbott, Manchester.
NEW JERSEY.--George W.C. McCarter, 765 Broad St., Newark.
NEW MEXICO.--Harry Howard Dorman, Santa Fé.
NEW YORK.--Wade H. Hayes, 140 Nassau St.
NORTH CAROLINA.--Charles N. Hulvey, A. & E. College, Raleigh.
NORTH DAKOTA.--Ed. E. Gearey, Fargo.
OHIO.--Chalmers R. Wilson, Adj. Gen. Office, State House,
Columbus.
OKLAHOMA.--F.W. Fisher, Oklahoma City.
OREGON.--Dow V. Walker, care Multnomah Club, Portland.
PENNSYLVANIA.--George F. Tyler, 121 S. 5th St., Philadelphia.
RHODE ISLAND.--James E. Cummiskey, Crompton.
SOUTH CAROLINA.--Ben. D. Fulton, 32 West Evans St., Florence.
SOUTH DAKOTA.--J.C. Denison, Vermillion.
TENNESSEE.--W.R. Craig, Nat. Life and Accident Co., Nashville.
TEXAS.--J.A. Belzer, Austin.
UTAH.--Baldwin Robertson, 409 Ten Boston Bldg., Salt Lake City.
VERMONT.--Joseph H. Fountain, 138 Colchester Ave., Burlington.
VIRGINIA.--R.G.M. Ross, 508 First National Bank Bldg., Newport
News.
WASHINGTON.--George R. Drever, care Adj. Gen. Office, Armory,
Seattle.
WEST VIRGINIA.--Chas. McCamic, 904 National Bank of West
Virginia Bldg., Wheeling.
WISCONSIN.--R.N. Gibson, Grand Rapids.
WYOMING.--R.H. Nichols, Casper.
WHAT THE PUBLIC PRESS THINKS
It is interesting to know what the press of the United States thinks
of the American Legion. Practically every newspaper in the country
honored the Legion with comment. In almost every instance it was
favorable. Selection has been made of some of this comment--as much as
is feasible to give here. It is of two kinds: first, what the press
thought of the _idea_ of the Legion, and second, what opinion it had
of the Legion after it was launched at St. Louis. The first type of
comment was made prior to the caucus in this country and the second,
afterwards. Comment on both types was generally favorable.
Lest insincerity be charged let it be said here that there _was_ some
unfavorable comment. One New England paper was surprised that
soldiers, sailors and marines were not clever enough to know that the
American people would perceive their attempt, through this
organization, to "drive a six mule team through the Treasury" and get
pension and pay grabs. One Southern paper pictured Colonel Roosevelt
returning from the St. Louis caucus, a defeated candidate for the
chairmanship, with all hope of the future blasted, while one in Ohio
said with equal accuracy and solemnity that "there is no need of such
an organization at this time, now that the country is entering the era
of peace."
But here is the comment. It comes from north, east, south, and west,
and it is typical:
_New York Times_, April 10, 1919.--... It is a pleasure to know
that Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, the worthy inheritor
of a beloved American name, has called a meeting of soldiers and
sailors at St. Louis. Lieutenant Colonel Bennett Clark, son of
Mr. Champ Clark, is an associate of Lieutenant Colonel
Roosevelt, in the plan for an organization of all our soldiers
and sailors as the American Legion. These two gentlemen,
associated in a patriotic movement, indicate by their names its
common national purpose, apart from politics and partisanship.
"A nonpartisan and non-political association is to be formed,"
says Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt, "an association which will
keep alive the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy for
which these veterans fought." Justice, freedom, and democracy,
without partisanship! The idea is noble. It should prevail.
_Leavenworth_ (Kansas) _Post_, April 30, 1919.--... The
character of the men of the American Army who are promoting it
[the Legion] and the high ideals which it professes and proposes
to maintain are a guaranty that it will be a power for helpful
service in the common family of the nation.
The plan of organization sprang from the desire of serious and
able men in the American Army to maintain the high ideals for
which all of them have fought, to preserve the soldier
comradeship and carry it over into civilian life as an element
of broad helpfulness while keeping the record of the army free
from the taint of selfish aims. It was also wisely intended to
forestall by the creation of one big genuinely representative,
nonpartisan and democratic body, the formation of numerous
smaller organizations in various places by men intent on
exploiting the soldier sentiment and the soldier vote for other
than patriotic purposes.
_New York Sun_, April 11, 1919.--... The American Legion will
do an indispensable service. We, who have lived up to the past
few years in an agitation of protest against the pension grab
must now make our minds over sufficiently to realize that in the
new situation we run immediately into danger not of
over-pensioning the veterans of to-day but of neglecting them.
The new organization must of course be nonpartisan and
non-political. Precedent enough exists in the career of the
Grand Army to make that clear. It should include and enjoy the
guidance of the most influential military men. Politicians it
will have at its service so long as it is well run and organized
from within. Despite its proper political limitations, it should
serve as the most salutary means to influence returned soldiers
to cling to plain old Americanism, shed their martial
acquirements and return to plain, praiseworthy citizenship.
_Washington Star_, April 10, 1919.--... The American Legion is
to be welcomed as an agency for the promotion of the best in our
national life. It will represent, with other things, the majesty
of numbers. A great many men will be eligible to membership; and
they will be young, and full of hope and purpose. And when they
act together in matters within the scope of their organization
they will represent a force to be reckoned with in the
formulating of public policies.
_Brooklyn Eagle_, April 11, 1919.--Organization of "The American
Legion" is going on rapidily in every State in the Union. Vast
as was the mass of eligibles on which the Grand Army of the
Republic could draw after the Civil War, it did not compare with
the Legion's bulk of raw material. There will be a formal caucus
on May 8th, at St. Louis, of a real representative character, in
which it is said the enlisted men of the army and navy will have
a majority. Lieutenant Colonel Henry L. Stimson, once Secretary
of War, outlines the plan. He believes that this country's
future hereafter is in the hands of the men below thirty years
of age who fought this war. He trusts that the lesson in
practical democracy afforded by military experience and the
ideals of democracy emphasized by military enthusiasm may be
kept permanently alive.
That this is the main hope of the more active organizers we have
no doubt. Men like Major General O'Ryan, General Charles I.
Debevoise, and Colonel Theodore Roosevelt and Colonel Robert
Bacon would never think of making such a body a lever for
pension legislation or an agency of politics. Yet the
temptation to a divergence from the higher ideals is strong, and
the rank and file may not be inclined to resist it.
_St. Louis Globe-Democrat,_ April II, 1919.--... Such
societies, it has been proved, are never partisan. They are
invariably exponents of broad-gauge patriotism. That they have
great political influence in a high national sense is true, but
they have never misused it nor ever viewed their mission in a
narrow spirit. They preserve the touch of the elbow throughout
life, but only as thorough Americans, devoted first, last, and
always to our common country.
St. Louis is proud to be selected as the place for the
inauguration of this admirable and undoubtedly perpetual
society. All wars are represented by societies formed by their
veterans, and all alike have been truly and broadly patriotic.
It will be the same with the new order, whose membership will,
on the strength of numbers called to the colors, far exceed any
former parallel. This event will be a datemark in our patriotic
annals and in the progress of the nation.
_Syracuse_ (N.Y.) _Herald_, April 13, 1919.--It has been
earnestly stated, as might have been expected, that the American
Legion will be strictly nonpartisan. That much might be inferred
from the circumstance that one of the leading associates of
Roosevelt in organizing the Legion is Lieutenant Colonel Bennett
Clark, son of the late Democratic Speaker of the House of
Representatives. Colonel Roosevelt is sufficient authority for
the assurance that the movement is neither partisan nor
political. He calls it "an association which will keep alive the
principles of justice, freedom and democracy for which these
veterans fought." Viewed in that sentimental, ethical and
patriotic light, it is a commendable undertaking. The American
people will wish it well, and be glad to see it flourish....
_Norfolk_ (Va.) _Dispatch_, April 9, 1919.--If the American
Legion now in process of organization by young Colonel Roosevelt
and his associates, clings to the principles of foundation and
holds by the purposes proclaimed by its founders, it may become
a mighty force for good in the land. It will be composed of
several millions of comparatively youthful Americans, a large
percentage of whom will be voters, while virtually all will have
demonstrated their readiness to fight their country's battles
with weapons far deadlier than bullets.... This assumes the
legion will fulfill the part it has undertaken to play in the
country's life. If it should degenerate into a selfish
protective body, it will be worse than useless. But there is
little reason to fear it will fall so far below its ideals while
there is every reason to hope it will be a powerful factor in
helping the country to find itself again.
_New Orleans Item_, April 14, 1919.--The American Legion through
the tremendous influence and mighty power of 3,000,000 organized
fighting men, is certain to shape and control the destinies of
the nation in years to come to an extent of which the wise will
refrain from even suggesting a limit. With the announcement by
Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt that the "Legion will be
interested in policies, but not in politics," the opinion may
safely be hazarded that the great political parties of the
country are due to have new mentors, from whom they may be
forced to look anxiously for their cues.
Primarily among the announced purposes of the Legion is the
perpetuating of those principles of justice, freedom and
democracy for which its members either fought or stood ready to
fight. On the field in France or in the training camps at home,
the millions of America's best manhood have learned intimately
and well a new lesson of individual and national responsibility.
Such lessons, at the cost they were obtained, are not to be
forgotten or lost. The ideals of the fighting men of the states,
producing the valor and the power which made the American Army
irresistible, and the revelations by fire of new realizations
and brotherhood and of world and national citizenship are surely
to be felt in the calm, happier times of peace.
_Philadelphia Record_, April 10, 1919.--... If, as Colonel
Roosevelt predicts, the membership shall eventually comprise
4,000,000 men who were in the military and naval service of the
United States in the late war, it will have possibilities of
power that must be reckoned with. But if, in the long life
before it, the American Legion shall have no more to its
discredit than is summed up in the history of the G.A.R. whose
ranks are now so pathetically thin, it will have been a worthy
follower of its fathers.
_Paterson_ (N.J.) _Evening News_, May 7, 1919.--... The new
organization starts its career deserving and receiving the good
wishes of the entire country. The character of the men of the
American army who are promoting it and the high ideals which it
professes and proposes to maintain are a guaranty that it will
be a power for helpful service in the common family of the
nation.
_Duluth_ (Minn.) _Herald_, May 24, 1919.--There is a great field
for the American Legion, the organization of American veterans
of the World War, and judging by the spirit of the recent
convention and by the expressions of the returning delegates as
reported in the press of the country, it is going to fill that
field.
And the field that awaits it, and that it seems to intend to
fill, is a field of a vigorous and aggressive effort to demand
and enforce a strong and coherent and consistent Americanism.
Not the swashbuckling kind of Americanism--the
chip-on-the-shoulder kind--the we-can-lick-the-world kind. These
lads of ours are the last in the world to preach that fool kind
of Americanism. For they--or at least those of them who crossed
the seas and fought for liberty and peace on the other
side--have seen in the case of Germany what that kind of
nationalism comes to, and they are against it.
But there is a type of Americanism which is utterly free from
the taint of militarism and jingoism, but that yet is even more
dangerous to anybody at home or abroad who flaunts the spirit of
America and defies its power. And unless the signs fail, the
American Legion is going to express and embody and inculcate
that type of Americanism.
_Anaconda_ (Mont.) _Standard_, May 24, 1919.--... At St. Louis
the members voted down all proposals for obtaining from Congress
increases of pay for the soldiers and rejected all efforts to
obtain canvasses of the members to ascertain their preference as
to parties and as to presidential candidates. Everything was
excluded which would tend to committ the organization to any
particular party or any particular candidate. Young Colonel
Roosevelt, son of the former republican president, and Colonel
Bennett Clark, son of Champ Clark, former democratic speaker of
the house, joined hands in the endeavor to keep partisanship and
politics out of the organization.
_Collier's Weekly_, May 31, 1919.--A national convention of
American soldiers and sailors in which no grievances were aired,
no political axes ground, no special privileges or preferments
demanded; where oratorical "bunk" was hooted down; where social
discrimination was taboo and military rank counted not at all;
where the past glories of war were subordinated to the future
glories of peace and where the national interest was placed
above all partisanship--that is something new under the sun. It
was in such a convention held in St. Louis during the second
week in May, that the new spirit of the American army and navy
expressed itself articulately for the first time since the
armistice was signed. The birth of the American Legion was
attended by circumstances having a significance comparable with
those surrounding the signing of a certain document in
Philadelphia one hundred and forty-three years ago, come July
4th.
A brigadier general arises to "place in nomination the name of a
man who--" and is cried down by doughboys with calls of "Name
him! Who is he?" A proposal to give extra pay to enlisted men is
unanimously defeated because, as Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt
put it, "we are not here to sandbag something out of the
Government, but to put something into it." The invitation to
make Chicago the next meeting place of the Legion is refused
because "American soldiers and sailors don't want to go to a
city whose mayor would be ashamed to welcome such a convention."
A progressive Republican, son of a famous father, refuses the
chairmanship to quiet suspicion of personal ambition, and the
office goes to a Southern Democrat of whose party the gathering
is in complete ignorance.
One of the convention stenographers said: "This is the funniest
convention I have ever attended." We have an idea that there was
an element of prophecy in her homely remark--a body representing
more than four million American soldiers and sailors that makes
so little political noise is likely to be about as funny to the
conventionally minded politician as a bombardment of gas shells.
This language of restraint in the mouths of organized civilian
youth may prove to be a natural companion to the famous battle
slogan of the A.E.F.: "Let's go!"
_New York Evening Post_, May 3, 1919.--... The true usefulness
of a veterans' organization is not far to seek. Like the G.A.R.,
the Legion should maintain and develop the comradeship bred by
the war. It can assist the unfortunate in its ranks; it can take
care of the widows and orphans of soldiers, in so far as any
inadequacy of public provision seems to make care necessary. The
Legion can preserve the fame of soldiers and commanders, by
erecting monuments, by seeing that histories are written, and by
proceedings of its regular reunions. It can foster such a public
recollection of the great deeds of the war as well as broaden
and deepen American patriotism. Sherman remarked in 1888 that
there was some danger that a peace-loving generation in time of
crises "would conclude that the wise man stays at home, and
leaves the fools to take the buffets and kick of war." This
danger can best be met by just such an organization as the
G.A.R., with its campfires of song and story. Comradeship,
charity and patriotism--these should be the Legion's watchwords.
_New Haven_ (Conn.) _Union_, April 16, 1919.--... Its more
immediate task, as its promoters see it, is to help the members
and the families of members who maybe in need of assistance. No
comrade of the great struggle is to feel that he is forgotten
and forsaken by the comrades who served the same great cause.
Its large and more permanent duty is to spread the sentiment of
patriotism, to set an example of love of country, and unselfish
service, to keep blooming always in the soldiers' bosom the
flower of sacrifice that springs from every soldier's grave in
France.
_Philadelphia Press_, April 10, 1919.--The organization of the
soldiers of the late war into a permanent body is inevitable and
entirely proper.
_Capper's Weekly_, May 24, 1919.--The American Legion organized
at St. Louis is the new G.A.R. and through its platforms the
views of the soldiers who fought in France will be heard. It is
already apparent what the trend of that sentiment is. Whatever
military system this nation sets up, if it meets the approval of
the two million men who served the nation in the Great War, it
will be democratic in spirit and as far as possible in form. It
will be an army in which the self-respect of the common soldier
will be recognized. The returning soldier has no use for anyone
living here who is not wholly American, and is for expelling the
unnaturalized alien wherever found. Loyalty to the Nation is
fundamental in the soldiers' view.
The Nation must safeguard itself and make a distinction between
citizens who offer themselves and their all, and citizens who,
for whatever reason, withhold some part of their allegiance.
Brutal treatment of conscientious objectors is neither civilized
nor necessary, but a differentiation is created by such
residents themselves, and there should be corresponding
differentiation in rights and protection. This is one of the
subjects that the returned soldiers have at heart.
_Post Intelligencer_, Seattle, Washington, May 21, 1919.--...
The American Legion will be a political force in the nation as
it has a perfect right to be. No organization of its character
is to be held together by the cohesive power of reminiscence.
Something more binding is required, and that something will be
forthcoming whether anyone outside the Legion likes it or
not....
The American Legion will be made up of intelligent young men who
will have a community interest and whose interest can only be
furthered by united action. They will know that nothing is more
transient than public gratitude, and they will assuredly not
rely on it.
_Rochester_ (N.Y.) _Times_, May 23, 1919.--At its first
convention held recently in St. Louis, the American Legion
unanimously voted down a proposal to seek increased bonus money
for the soldiers.
At that same meeting, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., refused to accept
official leadership of the organization because he desired to
allow no ground for any charge that he wished to utilize it to
further his political career.
Such action by the Legion and by one of its most prominent
members warrant its organizers in working to enroll all the men
who served during the great war.
If this path is followed the American Legion will be a force for
good in the country's affairs as well as a bond of fellowship
among those who were members of the largest army ever raised by
this republic.
_Manchester_ (N. H). _Union_, May 27, 1919.--... In spite of
all that has been written and said it appears there still
remains some mistaken idea and prejudices concerning this
organization. The purposes of the American Legion are:
1. To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of
America.
2. To maintain law and order.
3. To foster and perpetuate a one hundred per cent. Americanism.
4. To preserve the memories and incidents of our association in
the Great War.
5. To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the
community, state and nation.
6. To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses.
7. To make right the master of might.
8. To promote peace and good will on earth.
9. To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of
justice, freedom and democracy.
10. To consecrate and sanctify comradeship by devotion to mutual
helpfulness.
This is the program and platform of the wonderful organization
whose potential membership is the four million and more men who
wore their country's uniform in the war.
It is big enough and broad enough to admit every man and woman
who joined the colors. If, as has been intimated, there are some
few ex-service men who think they see in this tremendous
movement something personal and partisan, they should take the
blinders off, forget their unworthy fears, and come out into the
open with their comrades, determined, as every man is who has
already joined, that the American Legion will never be made the
vehicle of personal ambition nor the creature of partisan
purpose; but will be conserved to foster and promote only those
high purposes which are so nobly defined in the language which
is quoted above, taken bodily from the constitution of the
Legion.
PITTSBURGH, _Gazette-Times,_ May 29, 1919.--... In contrast
with the Grand Army, the American Legion will embrace all
sections of our land. Similarly it will be the private soldier's
organization. Military honors will not count. Absolute
Americanism is to be its dominating principle. With the
dwindling ranks of the Grand Army there is need of such an
organization. The Grand Army has long been a staunch bulwark of
patriotism but time is doing its work. Others must soon take up
where the veterans of the Civil War left off. Those of the new
organization who saw service overseas possess a new vision of
what America means. Because of their good fortune in going
abroad they reaped an advantage over those who were denied the
privilege, though entitled to no more credit. All who donned the
uniform served. With an organization of such possibilities in
numbers and all imbued with a patriotic fervor the safety of the
Republic against the machinations of those who would tear down
is assured.
_Burlington_ (Vt.) _News_, May 29, 1919.--So far as actual
results are concerned America gains little from the peace
treaty. If, however, the American Legion measures up to the
standard we believe it capable of, America will be the greatest
gainer of all in the war.
_Bridgeport_ (Conn.) _Standard_, May 28, 1919.--The statement
that the American Legion is to let politics alone is good news
to the people of this country who are looking toward this fine
organization of American fighters to bring to our national life
some of the spirit which chased the Fritzies back to the Rhine.
The civilian public has a right to ask what are the aims of this
new, and sure to be powerful, organization. Four million men are
of its potential membership. These four million are to be found
scattered in every city, village and hamlet in the country. They
are to meet on terms of equality, officers and men. They know
how to work together, how to undergo discipline for a worthy
objective, and how to go over the top in action. It is good,
then, to know that this new four million is not to be a
political machine. We want no more of the mawkish of either
fearing or catering to the "soldier-vote."
Only as a nonpartisan organization can the American Legion do
its best work. Its able leaders know this. In a day when men are
fast deserting unworthy party emblems to stand for what they
think right, the soldier organization will have a wide
influence.
We hail the Legion.
It had to come and it is coming strong and sure.
Good men are at the head of the column, and better men than
those in the ranks exist nowhere in the country.
They are the pick of the best, physically best, in nerve and in
courage, best in point of training, in discipline and best among
all the nations who won the great victory.
There is still a fight in America. Democracy is never safe, only
being made safe. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.
Eternal vigilance without regard to fear or favor is to be the
spirit of the American Legion.
COMMITTEES
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
ALABAMA
D.W.M. Jordan
John W. Inzer
ALASKA
Edgar T. Hawley
ARIZONA
John C. Greenway
E.P. Conway
ARKANSAS
Joe S. Harris
James J. Harrison
CALIFORNIA
H.G. Mathewson
C.E. Palmen
COLORADO
H.A. Saidy
E.R. Myers
CONNECTICUT
H.C. Meserve
A.M. Phillips, Jr.
DELAWARE
George N. Doris
George L. Evans
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
N.C. Turnage
E. Lester Jones
FLORIDA
Davis Forster
J.T. Wigginton
GEORGIA
Louis H. Bell
J.G. Juett
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
J.P. Morgan
IDAHO
E.C. Booth
Frank Esterbrook
ILLINOIS
William R. McCauley
Marshall Field
INDIANA
Robert Morehead
C.F. Strodel
IOWA
H.H. Polk
John MacVicar
KANSAS
W.S. Metcalf
Sidney Moss
KENTUCKY
Henry D. Moorman
D.A. Sachs, Jr.
LOUISIANA
Allison Owen
Ralph Michel
MAINE
Albert Greenlaw
Arthur L. Robinson
MARYLAND
H.F. French
Wm.A. Huster
MASSACHUSETTS
G.G. Bacon
J.F.J. Herbert
MICHIGAN
Frederick M. Alger
A.C. Doyle
MINNESOTA
Harrison Fuller
A.M. Nelson
MISSISSIPPI
Alex. Fitz-Hugh
Fred Sullens
MISSOURI
Court P. Allen
H. Stattman
MONTANA
H.L. Blomquist
C.E. Pew
NEBRASKA
John G. Maher
Ed. P. McDermott
NEVADA
E.L. Malsbary
T.J.D. Salter
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Frank Knox
Mathew Mahoney
NEW JERSEY
D.B. Muliken
P.J. Ehrhardt
NEW MEXICO
B.M. Cutting
O.A. Larrizola, Jr.
NEW YORK
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.
Louis Burrill
NORTH CAROLINA
NORTH DAKOTA
J.M. Hanley
G.A. Fraser
OHIO
J.L. Cochrun
H.W. Snodgrass
OKLAHOMA
Roy Hoffman
Ralph H. Berry
OREGON
E.J. Eivers
W.B. Follett
PENNSYLVANIA
Franklin D'Olier
A. Laughlin, Jr.
RHODE ISLAND
A. Johnson
R.B. Weeden
SOUTH CAROLINA
H.B. Springs
M.B. Berkley
SOUTH DAKOTA
J.C. Denison
Joseph S. Pfeiffer
TENNESSEE
Luke Lea
Harry S. Berry
TEXAS
W.E. Jackson
Rolland Bradley
UTAH
Baldwin Robertson
Royal Douglas
VERMONT
H. Nelson Jackson
Joseph Fountain
VIRGINIA
C. Francis Cooke
Andrew S. Christian
WASHINGTON
L.L. Thompson
Russ Simonton
WEST VIRGINIA
John G. Bond
Charles McCamic
WISCONSIN
James Ackley
G.W. Strampe
WYOMING
C.M. June
L.A. Miller
AMERICAN ARMY ASSOCIATION
Hayward H. Hillyer
William P. Norton
WORLD WAR VETERANS
G.H.W. Rauschkolb
John S. Siebert
RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE
ALABAMA
Matthew H. Murphy
ALASKA
James Hawley
ARIZONA
Ed. M. Le Baron
ARKANSAS
Fred N. Tillman
CALIFORNIA
E.H. Dibble
COLORADO
H.A. Saidy
CONNECTICUT
F.W. Carroll
DELAWARE
George N. Doris
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Charles E. Johnston
FLORIDA
Carroll Ford
GEORGIA
Eugene Sibert
HAWAII
J.P. Morgan
IDAHO
C.M. Booth
ILLINOIS
Marshall Kearney
INDIANA
A.C. Duddelston
IOWA
H.H. Polk
KANSAS
W.W. Hollaway
KENTUCKY
M.K. Gordon
LOUISIANA
John D. Ewing
MAINE
Roger A. Greene
MARYLAND
H.L. French
MASSACHUSETTS
L.A. Frothingham
MICHIGAN
Avery Gilleo
MINNESOTA
S.S. Smith
MISSISSIPPI
Alex. Fitz-Hugh
MISSOURI
H.C. Clark
MONTANA
Sam Abelstein
NEBRASKA
Hird. Stryker
NEVADA
E.L. Malsbary
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Frank Knox
NEW JERSEY
E.A. Tobin
NEW MEXICO
Roy H. Flamm
NEW YORK
Robert Marsh
NORTH DAKOTA
J.R. Baker
OHIO
E.J. Rummell
OKLAHOMA
E.E. Atkins
OREGON
B.E. Leonard
PENNSYLVANIA
Fred Hill
PHILIPPINES
Robert R. Landon
RHODE ISLAND
W.P. Shunney
SOUTH CAROLINA
SOUTH DAKOTA
William G. Buell
TENNESSEE
G.P. Anderson
TEXAS
Charles R. Tips
UTAH
R.J. Douglas
VERMONT
Guy Varnum
VIRGINIA
John J. Wicker, Jr.
WASHINGTON
John J. Sullivan
WEST VIRGINIA
John C. Vaughan
WISCONSIN
Robert Cunningham
WYOMING
L.A. Miller
AMERICAN ARMY ASSOCIATION
Joseph P. McGlinn
WORLD WAR VETERANS
Thomas H. Dempsey
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS COMMITTEE
ALABAMA
Bibb Graves
ALASKA
James Hawley
ARIZONA
John C. Greenway
ARKANSAS
Burton S. Kinsworthy
CALIFORNIA
H.G. Mathewson
COLORADO
R. Dickson
CONNECTICUT
W.J. Malone
DELAWARE
George W. Davis
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
John Lewis Smith
FLORIDA
J.T. Wigginton
GEORGIA
L.H. Bell
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
J.P. Morgan
IDAHO
C.M. Booth
ILLINOIS
C.G. Seeman
INDIANA
Scott R. Brewer
IOWA
Fred M. Hudson
KANSAS
P.R. Johnson
KENTUCKY
H.D. Haven Moorman
LOUISIANA
Gus Blanchard
MAINE
Roy C. Haines
MARYLAND
Wm. A. Huster
MASSACHUSETTS
W.H. Howard
MICHIGAN
Howard Brink
MINNESOTA
E.D. McCarthy
MISSISSIPPI
Fred Sullens
MISSOURI
Bennet Clark
MONTANA
C.E. Pew
NEBRASKA
L.J. McGuire
NEVADA
J.D. Salter
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Frank J. Abbott
NEW JERSEY
Harlan Besson
NEW MEXICO
D.H. Wyatt
NEW YORK
Hamilton Fish
NORTH CAROLINA
NORTH DAKOTA
H.Y. Semling
OHIO
J.F. Koons
OKLAHOMA
Horace H. Hagan
OREGON
Roderick D. Grant
PENNSYLVANIA
D.G. Foster
RHODE ISLAND
Percy Cantwell
SOUTH CAROLINA
SOUTH DAKOTA
Wm. G. Buell
TENNESSEE
Ed. Palmer
TEXAS
Claud Birkhead
UTAH
R.S. McCarthy
VERMONT
J. Watson Webb
VIRGINIA
Wm. A Stuart
WASHINGTON
L.L. Thompson
WEST VIRGINIA
Charles W. McCamic
WISCONSIN
Elmer Owens
WYOMING
R.L. Powers
AMERICAN ARMY ASSOCIATION
Haywood W. Hillyer
ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE
ALABAMA
Cecil Gaston
ALASKA
James Hawley
ARIZONA
Alexander B. Baker
ARKANSAS
Ross Mathis
CALIFORNIA
E.E. Bohlen
COLORADO
E.R. Meyer
CONNECTICUT
P.C. Calhoun
DELAWARE
Irving Warner
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Henry Leonard
FLORIDA
A.H. Blanding
GEORGIA
R.L. Wilson, Jr.
HAWAII
J.P. Morgan
IDAHO
Taylor Cummings
ILLINOIS
Frank Harrison
INDIANA
J.A. Umpleby
IOWA
Maris B. De Wolfe
KANSAS
P.C. Stamford
KENTUCKY
J.G. Wheeler
LOUISIANA
Louis Ginella
MAINE
James U. Boyle
MARYLAND
Wm. B. Wilmer
MASSACHUSETTS
G.C. Cutler
MICHIGAN
J.F. Young
MINNESOTA
Paul McMichael
MISSISSIPPI
George Hoskin
MISSOURI
F.L. Smith
MONTANA
C.E. Pew
NEBRASKA
Geo. H. Holveman
NEVADA
T.J.D. Salter
NEW HAMPSHIRE
George V. Fiske
NEW JERSEY
R.P. Schenck
NEW MEXICO
Don. L. Blevins
NEW YORK
Parton Swift
NORTH CAROLINA
NORTH DAKOTA
J.P. Williams
OHIO
L.J. Campbell
OKLAHOMA
Hugh Haughery
OREGON
J.L. May
PENNSYLVANIA
G.A. Rick
RHODE ISLAND
Alex. Johnson
SOUTH CAROLINA
SOUTH DAKOTA
T.R. Johnston
TENNESSEE
W.A. Shadow
TEXAS
Arch C. Allen
UTAH
D.E. Rhivers
VERMONT
Leonard Nason
VIRGINIA
C. Brook Bollard
WASHINGTON
Fred Redinger
WEST VIRGINIA
M.V. Godfrey
WISCONSIN
J.C. Davis
WYOMING
Wm. Shortell
AMERICAN ARMY ASSOCIATION
Scott W. Lucas
WORLD WAR VETERANS
Charles S. Watkins
CREDENTIAL COMMITTEE
ALABAMA
Joseph Yates
ALASKA
James Hawley
ARIZONA
F.P. Bernard
ARKANSAS
Ivie Herschel
CALIFORNIA
B.W. Herhart
COLORADO
J.W. Gwin