The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-28
MAKE BETTER NATION

me ann or the American legion is 100 per cent Americanism; for God and country. The 5,000,00O men who served in the military forces of the United States are better for having done so. They are thoroughly American. They are going to make this a better nation and keep it a better one
 "We would he foolish in the ex-
 treme If, after having saved the
 cause in which millions of men
 dfed' we would leave an opening
 through which fin 25 or go years
 could come more war and strife.
 And we nre not going to do 1t:
 Ihere shall be no place for long,
 haired bolsheviki and anarchists to
 wreck their damning plots. This
 organization = 5.OOO,OOO strong
 Will stand like wall as a tower
 or strength and protection to the
 country.
 With the spirit of Washington. Jef- ferson, Lee, Lincoln and Roosevelt we are going to march on united for de- mocracy and accomplish the tasks fer which all these men lived and fought :. MT lnzer told of the organization of the American Legion and of the caucus in St. Louis when it was formed. Im- mediately after his speech a motion was made and passed to the effect that the local organization proceed to affiliate
 
 COL. BIBB GRAVES
 Colonel Bibb Graves of Montgomery. who was an honor guest of the meeting. in short and strongly applauded speech. told the men some of the things the American Legion stands for and some of it's plans-
 We are going to become a powerful influence in this country for Justice. Colonel Graves said. We are not going to become a tool for any faction, or come out to back up any one man or petty plan of party or faction We will not be partisan. We are unified by common interests and experiences and desires.
 T am glad to see the organization pro- gressing in such a wonderful way. The spirit of Americanism has spread rapidly over the country and the service men will keep it up.
 At the St. Louis caucus we settled in harmonious way every problem that confronted us- We have the programme so arranged as to insure state rights. The various posts throughout each state will organize and apply to the state com mittee for charter. The state commit tee must pass on it befSre the post will be recognized. The recommendation then will go to the national executive commit tee TOT dppTONdl anu the cnaTteF VIII DC issued.
 ..I have no doubt that We will settle in the best way every difficulty that confronts us. With an after examination of what was done in St. Louis it is easy to see that that body proceeded with the greatest of wisdom and vision. The American Legion is strong and unified in every way. It will accomplish most useful and needed purpose"
 Mat Murphy, one of the delegates to the St. Louis caucus, read the constitution of the American Legion and explained the proceedings of that body.
 WOUNDED SOLDIERS
 In after discussions at the meeting Mir. Inzer said. relative to matters that the has not yet attended in re- gard to wounded soldiers and other mat ters:
 Let us be as careful and as patient as possible with the government Peace has not been signed and our President has not returned from Europe There ire many watchful and critical persons
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