The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-11-10
OBSERVANCE OF
LEGION SUNDAY


by Chaplain John Conoley of Gaines
vile, and Major Robert L. Anderson
Jr., Of Ocala, both members of the
legion. Solos were sung by Mrs. l.. E.
Futch and Mr.. Lester Lucas, and the
choruses of several popular wartime
songs were sung by all. Both Chaplain
Conoiey and Major Anderson made a
Plea for all eX-service men to become
members of the American Legion,
and to give to their country in time
of peace what they gave in time of
war. The exercises were opened with
an invocation by Rev. Smith Hardin,
and Mr.. Hardin closed the exercises
with a benediction. Many ex-service
men were present. DR.. H. F. Watt,
commander of Marion County Post
No. l, introduced the speakers and the
soloists. Mrs. Lester Lucas accom-
panied the singing. The program
had been arranged by a committee
consisting of Mr.. l.. T. Izlar chair
man, DR.. H. c. Dozier and Mr. Alfred
A. Green. Chaplain Conoley's address
made a deep impression. The speaker
was chaplain during the war, as first
"
first lieutenant in the Both Infantry,
and later captain and camp chaplain
at Camp Devens, Mass. where he was
situated for fourteen months. Chaplain
COnoley was born and raised in Jack
sonville. He spoke in part as follows:
"Bolshevism, socialism in many
specious forms, and anarchy, are be-
ing propagated in our midst. We
overturn one form of sabotage to be
confronted with another, this time
disguised as labor. which expresses
itself in riot and strike.
"While the world still reels from
the impact of blows so lately receiv-
ed, Russian soviet nationalizes its
women, sends it's emissaries into eve
ry country to compromise if not de-
stroy national honor. and sets up it's
counterpart in our own midst. Yes
terday, nationwide raid disclosed in
every large sized city in this country
nest of such detestable conspirators
against law and order.
"The virus is at work, and as we
dream of world at peace they plan
a world aflame and dance in anticipa-
tlon a Carmagnole, Ca Ira of a new
revolution to which not even Car
lyle's pen shall do justice. No decent
man will so much as pretend that the
affairs of capital and labor are prop
erly adjusted. But does that appre-
citation mean that we, who fought and
did our best to preserve our national
honor and prosperity shall sit idly by
and see them made subject to hand
full CT men who presume to dictate a
program of industrial and social ad-
justment that shall be a counterpart
OF Russian bolshevism-that is, to
leave the public at large at the mercy
of a proletariat composed of striking
union men and seditious Independent
Workers of the World?
"Have we not had abortive reigns
of terror-largely alien-in Seattle,
Lawrence and Boston. in which latter
place even policemen, caught in the
madness of federated labor, forswore
their fealty to the state, deserted
their posts of duty, and left Boston
open to lawless raids and even blood
shed?
Have we not seen industry par
alyzed by an expressman's strike, has
not a Lewis called a coal strike while
a Gompers attempts to dictate to the
government the terms under which
the strike shaall end ? Is not the regu-
lar army at present employed in pre-
serving the peace in the districts af-
fected by the steel workers strike?
'Have we eXiled one kaiser to set
up many? Have we conquered one
Prussianism to fall victim to another?
care we mindful, as we should be,
that, Tin the words of Governor Cool
idge of Massachusetts, there is no
right to strike against the public
safety any time, anywhere adding,
for any cause
Shall we. returned soldiers, remain
supine and without effort while such
attempts are made to destroy our ma
tlonal and industrial security?
"And politics? What of it? They
tell US that we must keep out of pol
ltics. AS body, yes. AS individuals,
no. Why do they say that we shall
lot mix in politics? 1t is because they
fear US, the political boss and his
crew, the gum-shoe politician and his
motley crew. They know that we who
have borne the heat of the day in
armed defense of that priceless her
n&ge with which they trifle will not
allow the political sale of our national
birthright for the pottage of party
politics right to see that the
best the Union. the state. the county,
the city, the town can produce is none
too good to fill public office. to repre-
sent the people,
"We may not use our membership
Iii the American Legion, our part in
the war, our association with its mar
tyred dead to clear our own or an