The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-12
PERSHING TELLS
LEGION TO KEEP
OUT OF POLITICS
General Speaks to 5000
Members of Organization
at the Garden.
REMARKS SIGNIFICANT
Former Soldiers Give ROusing
Welcome to Their Overseas
Commander.

A brass band in Madison Square
Garden announced at S:45 o'clock last
night that the gang was all there. A
large part Of 1t was indeed, for spread
over the big enclosure were at least
5000 civilians just out of khaki and
ND on the platform, about to engage
them in earnest speech, was their late
commander. Gen. Pershing.
The city had seen him in the great
parade, had seen him dashing about
town in a brown car on an endless
round of engagements. Now he was
the central figure in mass meeting
Of the American Legion. addressing
the men OF his army who, having done
their part with the army, were set
ting themselves to the task which one
Of the speakers described as making
America 100 per cent. American.
In view of political speculation, in
which his name has sometimes been
mentioned despite his attempts to dis
courage 1t, and in view of the Ameri-
car Legions own avowed non-parti-
sanship. the most interesting part of
his simple, short speech was this
81 should deplore it IL I felt there
were any chance of the American Legion
becoming political tool in the hands of
political aspirants. believe the organ
ization has an opportunity to do great
good in the country by becoming a
school Of patriotism. IL YOU will; by fos-
tering those things which are near and
from our forefathers.
81 am glad to give encouragement to
the American Legion as long as it stands
for true Americanism, as long as 1t
keeps its skirts clean and free from
petty politics. And with that under
standing l shall be glad TO encourage in
every way the increase OF its member
snip and in aiding 1t TO teach the coun-
try, II you will, more of patriotism than
II had before the war.
TO nut il in one sentence, the Ameri-
can Legion should cherish and foster the
lessons in patriotism that have been
brought home to the American people
during the last two years"
Reflected Boys Sentiment.
As every sentence of this was sharply
applauded II is evident that the war vet
erans who are banded In the American
Legion feel the same way about steering
It clear of political reefs as Gen. FER
shing does.
Upon only two days notice the leaders
Of the legion got together crowd tha'
filled all the seats on the main nooi
Of the Garden and most of the tieI
OF boxes While it was waiting for
Gen Pershing two bands-the Twenty
second Regiment from Governors Island
and Pennoyer's Naval Militia Band
performed cheerfully, The War CamT
Community Service quartet, singing
through megaphones. also helped tht
preliminaries Uniformed members Of
the Dolly Madison and Barbara Friet
chic posts of the American Legion-th'
former yeomanettes and the latte'
nurses-lent color to the occasion ane
were cheered indefinitely.
Gen Pershing entered the Garden a
1851 o'clock. With him were Mayor
Hylsn Rodman Wanamaker. Grover
Whalen and DR.. Richard Derby, a son
in-law OF the late Col. Roosevelt ant
one Of the leEions organizers. TheI
came the Generals staff and other arm!
officers, including Major-Gen. David II
shanks commander of the Port of EN-
barkation
As Gen. Pershing appeared through
tne Twenty seventh street side entranc
and mounted to a platform whose from
was covered with the American color
and Union shield bearing bronz
g In, hos rnllfg .
Whatever one OF the bands was playing
at the moment was lost in roar o
many voices.
The babel finally resolved itself int
three solid cheers whereupon the crow
sst down, and the proceedings proceeded
After a speaker for the legion averre
that lust as the Sixth Field Artiller
hred the first gun for the Americans 4
the war Gen. Pershing would this nigh
Ore the first gun IN the American Legio
membership drive in New York" Henr
d. Lindsey, chairman OF the eNecutiv
committee OF the organization, gave III
reasons for its being and predicted this
by November, when the national conver
Lion is TO be held in Minneapolis ther
VIII be far more than 1000, 900, and this
the convention viii voice the principle
OF 100000 men. which principles wi
control, or bend. or direct, as II may b.
The destiny OF the United States" II
vas chiefly applauded when he said tht
We e:'cH = cGt ScirS % ne f''e
~. aEy DaIty Ii tho Emitted states ~
added
For 100 Per Cent. nt.gAmerican nisIn.
While we say and rightly. that "
are not a partisan organization, we wi
.esriessly say throughout the land thu