The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-12-05

mentally, morally and physically
prepared for war Another pro-
nouncencnt of the American Legion
brought with it a feeling Of gratitude
and Encouragement to those Of US
who. are trying to Carry On one of
Amcricas most sensible institutions
The National Guard. For many years
1t has had TO stand the taunt ana
abuse of innumerable enmies who
| cid not sec, or would not see, its
necessity and Importance.
That it justified its past existence
has been proven in the great war.
That Its future is justified need no
ether argument than that the Amer
lean Legion would, not only have Il
continue, but would put il on equal
footing with the regular army.
Absorbed into the American army
at the beginning of the great war il
was reorsanized during that strug-
gle. There have been some who try
10 make II appear that fits reorgan-
Eaticn. ct. that time was an effort on
shc part of those who remained at
hcme. TO prevent former Guardsmen,
10th officers and enlisted men, to
control il 1Hn they returnet Roth
i7~ cord h.. farther from The truth
than such an insulting claim. Ii
was, recognized by those OF us who
had TO remain at home in order that
the. mothers, wives, sisters and other
interests, which the soldier boys left
after them, when they answered the
call of duty, might be protected, and
that no man or group of men proven; .
those ~ home from Carrying On
and backing up the men at the front
In proof of this we haxe only to say
that VIXEN cur brave boys fare ready
once more to don the kahki as mem
ber5 Of the National Guard, we are
ready TO step, down and out in their
behalf. But until such time as this
shall come to pass we shall Garry
On" And we believe that in doinf
so we have the blessing and good will
% every soldier and sailor who was
q member Of the American army.
More~thap this. We make the fol.
lowing profession of faith. I'VE ho'
N +
stand for Americanism. We stand
for democracy. We stand for law and
without which our country
cannot exists. For this reason We
feel that ii is our conscientious duty
to preserve our national guard unit
such time as our government shall
relieve Us from this Oath which We
have taken. We challenge all mep
tc question our motives. IL we are ir
the National Guard it is because we
believe that 1t is our individual duty
to take an active part in the affairs |
of our government and are doing
everything in our power TO prepare
to defend the self same in
terests that the American Legion de-
tended in the great war that has
passed.
Therefore. as your, chaplain, Off |
GERS and men of the Fish regiment, |
NJ. I. y. g., charge you TO hold high |
the 6lors of your regiment. Let its |
every fold be sacred to you. Ren.em
her that if we are to retain the move |
md respect of the American Legion
We, like them, must Garry On" ever |
Upward and onward. For this rea
son let every Officer ana man Oh tnls
not merely strive 10 live |
Up those standards. which has been |
set UP by American soldiers from the /;
revolutionary, force down to- the
American Legion but also endeavorI
70 keep the organization as much up |
70 the highest point of efficiency |
Personal interest alone can do this |
Let us not be satisfied with |
, half hearted effort. Let us |
not be satisfied with minimum |
rs not be satisfied with a minimum
strength. Let us have
waiting list of men who shall deem il
I privilege to vie for chance to be- |
ong to the national guard.
Members of the national guard of
he Fifth Regiment. Attention! Gar
~ On" F..