The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-03-31
THE AMERICAN LEGION.
Objections TO the Formation Of the
Force II Contem plates.

To THE EDITOR or THE SrS--Sir: The
proposition to enroll an army of $50 900
trained professional soldiers not directly
subject to state or Federal authority IL
so ~eYtraordin try and 80 far reaching
IN possibil ties that II shortens ones
breath to contemplate II. american
Legion" has a patriotic and SOU stirring
sound. and the avowed purpose OF ma
tional defence is surely all honorable
purpose but any scheme to organize a
military force outside and Of four times
the strength of that authorized by the
Cous'itut or and the LAWS Is worthy OF
the most serious attention.
Patriotism" and loyalty" are rather
elastic terms. They mean Just what
YOU think they mean, not what n
other fellow thinks who d~isagrees with
you Nobody can deny the patr, otiSm OF
the Sou;herner In 1861 o. belittls his
loyalty to his state and institutions. The
ragged and half starved followers OF Lee
VINO died In the last ditch were In
every sense the equals OF the patriots OF
Valley Forge.
In France there is an organization
known as The League OF Patriots" 1t
was foupded after the disaster OF 1870
I'm the interests OF the national defence.
Il distinguished itself az the Felix faure
funeral by an attempt 20 owe turn the
republic. Its popular leader, Paul
Deroulede, who was the idol OF the
French so,diers. with his hand on the
bride rein OF the commanding General.
urged him to turn his troops upon the
E.ysee. The swdrms OF patriots
fraternized with the troops OF either
side. All Parts witnessed the EFFORT and
breathle.sly awaited the result. The
republic. torn by dissenslons Of the Drey-
fus use. seemed doomed.
Had Derou.ede been a fighter like
Roosevelt. Instead OF a poet and dreamer,
and the commander Leonard Wood, a
cleltufe Of his own creation. either the
Orleanist would now be on the throne
or the empire OF the B~onapartes rees-
tabl.4hed. But the French Officer was a
d.feJen. sort Of patriot" and his 10y
alt," lay in his duty He = now dist n
gu!shed IN the great battle front
perouiede was convicted of treason and
baniShed.
By the side o., Roosevelt's army the
Russell Young picture OF the Man on
Horseback seems a mean little Hal
lowe'en pump l. Grants frst act a.
President vas TO remove the armed
soldiers from the White House. Presi-
dent Roosevelt was the first President
20 introduce the cavalry escort and the
armed private b~odygudrd. Grant. tbs
most popular professional soldier ths
country ever produced. always talked OF
peace. and daily strolled about the ma
tional capital unattended. Rooseve'
hreathes wa ana slaughter and goe'
thousands OF miles and endures ali sorts
OF hdrdsh.ps for tho pure love OF Kill
INK. He always wore a n stol In his MY
pocket. II has been said, while Presi'
dent. the only pistol toter who has DC
cupiei that: exalted position. In ou'
mind4' eye we always see him on tn
burkirg bronco. a huge knife between
his teeth and a ~ IN ether ffst
Il doesn't matter greatly whether
the american Legion" scheme was IN
sp'-ed by Roosevelt or not. He l. tn
TYNE who viii control the organization
with $500 men trained 10 arms nac'
b OF such a leader. he becomes a mos
formidable and uena'irg factor ~ IN
BODY politic. For all that IL n.cessar,
20 make thi. army master OF the coun
nv IL to PUT arms IN their possession
rihes and M And then they nigh
ess'Iy take possession ny force ~ an
time Ira ned In the use OF arms, ~
the lamp. IN the march and battle. tne!
would ne the equal o. TIE Fedora. troop
Of which they formed part aud witt
whom they gained their military experl
ya~c
The prope- authorities should ~c-l,i
~i4e tl's proToslt or closely and st dow
On a. rdrd.
tn Congress alon. belongs the MOVE,
20 raise armies, ~ Which the PresideH
$ Commander IN chief. II f. the du',
~ tie Congress n provide FOR the M
.iora' defence a duty that cannot viii
safety ne delegated TO persons IN pr VAT
.fc. 40 amount Of soph.stry, OF noOl'
ra.t-cs ct patriotism and "loyaitt'
on les. ~ the danger that turks in thi
movement.