The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-09-15
NATIONAL LEGION
STARTS BIG DRIVE
Goal is Million Members Be.
fore the Week is
Over.

The national membership drive Of
the American Legion to enroll one
million veterans of the great war in
forty eight state branches throughout
the United States begins today tSep-
TENDER 15). 1t will continue for six
days, through September 20, with In
tensive canyassing in every commu-
nifty under Legions' slogan, Lets
Stick Together"
The 100000 members already en-
rolled is more than 1000 local posts OF
The American Legion are going afte,
100000 more. 1t is the aim of the ma
tional organization OF American vet
Grams of the war to make the Minne-
apolIs convention on American Legion
Day, November II, actually represen-
tative of al, least one million Of for
mer service men and women.
In the following statement to the
Legion from National headquarters,
the joint national committee reat-
firms the aims and ideals which ami
mated the Legion's founders at Paris
and st. Louis:
I'm starting its September drive for
one million members, the American
Legion reaffirms its aims and purposes
which have won the support of more
than 100000 veterans of the War with
| Germany already enrolled in 1000 To-
cal posts organized by forty-eight
state branches.
1.-THE American Legion is the ma
tional civilian organization Of ex-ser-
vice men and women. 1t is non-paT-
tlsan, non-political and non sectional;
knowing no distinctions of rank or SER
vice. Former enlisted men and former
officers,-former overseas men ana
former national service men who
served in the United States,-all are
welcome in The American Legion with
the plain American title 'Miste.'
1.-THE ideals of The American Legion
are summarized in the preamble to the
national constitution which was adopt
ed at Paris in March and at St. Louis
in May and which will be ratified for
mally at the first national convention
in Minneapolis on American Legion
Day, November 1th.
"'To uphold and defend the Consti-
tuition of the United States of Ameri-
ca The basic foundation Of Ameri-
can life by virtue of which American
citizenship is guaranteed to Americans
throughout the world is taken for
granted by the millions who partici-
pate in its benefits and protection.
Yet this same Constitution has been
attacked from without By the Huns and
is being attacked from within by fol
lowers of the red flag The American
Legion is pledged to uphold and de-
fend the plan of government for which
fifty thousand Americans gave their
lives in France.
"'To maintain law and order Con-
slider the plight of Russia where Uni
I'D States troops are patrolling the ST.
6erian railroad tracks because there
is no Russian government today wor-
thy of the name.
ITO foster and perpetuate one
hundred per cent. Americanism.' The
American Legion demands of its mem
bers that they be heart and soul for
America. 1t goes further 1t demands
that the ifty-fifty" counterfeit Amer
leans, many of whom requested and
received exemption from national ser
vice on the ground that they were not
American citizens, decide Immediately
whether they intend to become citi-
zens and perform the duties of citizen
ship or make their steamer reserya-
tions.
"'To preserve the memories and in
cidents of our associations in the
Great War Which needs no elabora-
ton.
ITO inculcate a sense of indlviduS:
obligation to the community, state and