Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-12-19
The American Legion.

civilians before the war, and are now AGAIN
civilians. 1t Is a civilian ORGANIZATION
and. as such, is not military or militaristic
1t makes no distinctions of rank and NJ
distinctions between oversee men and mer
who did not get overseas. 1t is non-parti-
san and non-political
The American Legion was incorporated
as the national organization of soldiers
sailors and marines who fought in the re.
cent war by act of Congress, signed by
President Wilson on September 23rd, 1919
This is the first time an organization OF
this kind has been so honored by Congress
with national charter.
| CONSTITUTION ADOPTED.
The Legion has grown because it is the
realization Of that some sort of organiza-
ton after the war" which was idealized dur
ing the war, and because its spirit is worthy
In no other way is that spirit better ex-
pressed than in the preamble to its con-
stitution. which reads: "For God and Coun
try we associate ourselves together for the
following purposes
ITO uphold and defend the constitution
Of the United States of America, to main
tain law and order; to foster and perpetu-
ate one hundred per cent. Americanism
to preserve the memories and incidents OF
our associations in the Great War to in
culcate sense of individual obligation to
the community, state and nation; to COM
bat the autocracy Of both the classes and
masses; to make Right the Master of
Might; to promote peace and good will
on earth to transmit to posterity the prin-
ciples of justice, freedom and democracy
to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship
by our devotion to mutual helpfulness."
ENAcTING ITs IDEALS.
Is the American Legion keeping faith
with its constitution Is it living up to its
aims and idealsi Is it championing the
cause of the disabled and unemployed SOL
dierH Answers to these questions were
made at the st. Louis caucus at the same
meeting that the constitution itself was
adopted. Then and there Legion members
went on record in a manner that leaves no
doubt as to their patriotism and loyalty.
They demanded an investigation of the
pardon and subsequent honorable discharge
by the War Department of convicted con-
scientious directors they strongly con-
demned the activities of the |. w. WIS, the
anarchists and the International Soci alsts !;
they demanded that Congress deport those
alien slackers who placed their citizenship
in other countries to escape the draft. and
they also demanded that nationalized citi-
zens convicted under the espionage act
should have their citizenship Cancelled and
should be deported.
For ONE HUNDRED PER CENT AMERIcANIsM.
Dedicated to service to the nation as
well as to mutual helpfulness, local posts
situated in every part of the country, from
the Atlantic to the Pacific. and from the
Canadian line to the Gulf. are fighting for
preservation of American ideals. Peace
problems are being met with an aggressive
war spirit. For instance. the high cost of
living, the profiteering nuisance. the anti
American tactics being employed by Boil
shevists sympathizers and the Red Menace
itself, are being combated wherever veter-
ans have organized local posts.
LETS Stick TOGETHER.
That is the slogan which is to be seen
on American Legion posters in every sec
ton of the country. 1t was selected because
it epitomizes the story of the American
Legion. 1t means helping hand. a broth
erly cooperation, community of interest
welding of sympathy, and learning that
insures. as the American Legion Weekly
says, The stability of democracy and
partisanship in its makeup Its mission is
to serve America first"
How To JOIN.
Any soldier. sailor or marine who served
honorably between April 6 1917. and
November II. 1919. may join the Ameli-
can Legion by filling out this enrolment
blank:
My name is.............................
please PRINT First) (Middle) Gast)
military rank.
Present address,.
Permanent address. ............................
Civil occupation ..............................
hereby subscribe to the Constitution of
the American Legion and apply for en-
rollment in the Cissel-Saxon Post. No. al.
of the Maryland State Branch. Silver
Spring. Nd. and forwarding it to either
Joseph C. Cissel, Post Commander. Silver
Spring. Md. or Lawrence R. Smoot. Post
Adiutant Kensinoton Md