Putnam patriot., 1919-08-01
SOUVENIR TAYLOR
 ROOMS LEGION
Expresses Qualification Over the Splendid Start Putnam Made, and Wishes Luck to Post 13.
Three Cheers for My Good Old Home Town of Patriotic Put
 nam"

The following communication re- ceived from Souvenir William H. Fay Tor of Hartford shows that while the fellow with the green memory" lives in another city of our state, he has not, nor never will fail to take an | interest in the doings in Putnam. Souvenir is first, last and always an ardent pusher for the success of the city where he lived so many years, | and which is home to him.
 To the Editor of The Patriot:
 I was deeply interested in your ar ticle in this weeks Patriot" on '.New l Post of American Legion Starts with Boom" Three cheers for my good old home town of Patriotic Putnam! !! It has been well said that the Ameri- can Legion echoes the spirit of that unique gathering of world war veter- ans whence sprang what has been called the e. A. R. of the future, and which actually will be a mightier force because the boundaries of it's mem- bership are those of the entire Nation itself"
 For God and Country, says the constitution of the American Legion, i've associate together" " The noble and patriotic purposes" that follow such an inspiring declaration can well be imagined. Potentially it's mem bership may embrace four millions, a total roster of all Americans who fol- lowed the flag in the great war. Ac- tually, of course, no such figure will l be reached But if ultimately even half of the ex-soldiers associate them selves with the Legion. it will be huge and powerful" "The maximum en- rollment of the G. A. R. was about four hundred thousand, yet the c. A. R. has wielded tremendous influence in those affairs with which it chose to concern itself. !" What, then, may not fairly be expected from an alli- ance of perhaps two million sturdy young men, individually disciplined and awakened by the experience of the past two years, in the affairs of a nation itself awakened?" Unlike the | c. A. R., the Legion is happily, non sectional, emphatically it is all-Amer- ican and Is free from partisanship. We are to put something in the Gov ernment, not to take something away from it. :" That phrase of Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, who was one of the prime movers in the Le- gion's formation, echoes it's intention. Essentially 1t is to be civilian organ ization with uncompromising Ameri- eanism as it's slogan, and it's methods in this respect should be heartily en- dorsed by every advocate of real American democracy.
 In brief, the American Legion is absolute Americanism of the one hun dred per cent variety and it's purpose is to protect and perpetuate the ideals of democracy for which it's members fought or sought to fight. The Amer ican Legion well may become one of Americas mightiest influences for good. Surely the Legion provides a way for Americas soldiers to express their determination that government of the people, for the people and by the people shall continue and prosper and voice their will again to fight in behalf of such determination. Much more could be written on this pa triotic subject, but feel have al ready taken too much of your valua- ble space. Good luck galore to Amer ican Legion No. 13."
 Souvenir Vim. H. Taylor.
 Hartford, July 26, 1919.