The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-05-18

A Few days ago in St Louis, over
one thousand men--all of whom were
veterans OF the army, navy or marine
corps in the world war-met together
| for convention lasting three days,
at which the firm foundation OF a
great National organization e was
/ formed under the name Of The
American Legion" These men came
from all pars OF the United States.
| every state in the Union being repre-
scented. and even far of Alaska and
Hawaii sent their delegates to this
notable gathering. Even before the
meeting Of the convention and espec-
tally since it's very successful or
SANITATION the public in general have
been very interested to know just
what 1t was going to be, what its
purposes will be, and In what sphere
of public affairs II would strive to
exert its influence.
What Is The Legion?
In the first place II Is a national.
inon-partisan. non political brother
hood OF those who served their
country in the past war. organized in
response to the feeling and demand
of these veterans for permanent
union which would be powerful for
their own welfare and for the public
good. 1t had its birth in call
which was issued by General PERISH
ing. n short time after the armistice,
for representatives from all sections
OF the A. +. F.. to gather in Paris
and discuss ways and means for TAX
ing care of the veterans interest af-
! ter rehabilitation.
This Paris Caucus conceived the
idea OF the American Legion. which
was to be based largely upon the ex
perience Of the United Confederate
Veterans and the Grand Army of the
Republic. but which would be much
more powerful by reason of the fact
that II would have it's separate post
in each state. city and county of the
entire country, rather than being sec
! uonally divided in the north. south,
east or west. This organization has
been given of1cial recognition by the
war department, the navy depart
ment. the commandant of marines
and by the veterans themselves.
| Its power is already shown by the
| fact that 1t numbers among its active
officers and members prominent men
| in public life from many different
states. representatives in congress.
United States senators and. as its
president, the chief director OF the
War Risk Insurance bureau.
! It's democratic spirit is shown by
the fact that the atority of the Of
ficers have been chosen from former
enlisted men. The first vice president
| was a sergeant in the army, the
second vice. president was seaman
in the navy, the third vice president
was a private In the Marine corps and
all Of these were selected in opposition
to officers OF their own corps.
| Greed of the Legion.
Broadly stated. the fundamental
purposes OF this great organization
may be divided into three principal
classes:
ITO uphold and maintain the
Constitution of the United States. and
to support the reign of law and order.
as opposed to Bolshevism, the I. W.
WIS, and every other form of anarchy
and lawlessness. the growth of which
| in this country has come to be recog
nized as a real and distinct public
peril. There Is no way that these
dangerous activities and doctrines
can be better curbed and controlled
than through the American Legion.
ITO perpetuate the history OF the
world war, the spirit OF comradeship
Iengendered among the fighting men
who took part therein. and the great
principles for which they fought.
3-To promote the individual and
collective welfare now and in the
future OF those who served in the
army, navy or marine corps during
the past war.
Activities Of the Legion.
The character and importance. OF
the influence which this organiza ton
proposes to exercise may be well in
dicated by reference to some of the
resolutions which were unanimously
passed at the St Louis convention.
BY these the veterans as a body went
on record as urging the following:
Tho Punishment from this
country Of all alien slackers who re-
pudiated their citizenship when