New-York tribune., 1919-11-24
By Franklin d'Olier

ny i rankin q OllCT
(Summory Of an article tvritten for
"The American Legion Weekly" By the
new national commander of the order.l
Our work is only begun. We have
just scratched the surface. The con-
structive measures to be accomplished
in the coming year are enormous, but
it is an inspiration to know that the
spirit Of clear thinking, fair play, CO.
operation and sound Judgment - the
buddy spirit"-which prevailed at the
convention, merely was manifesto
tion of the spirit that pervades the
Legion and every member of every
local post of our great organization.
1t is that spirit which assures our
success and leaves not the slightest
doubt in my mind that we shall b. able
tt accomplish for our country results
rs remarkable in peace as they were
in war.
The Legion numbers a million men
and women who served their country
in war. The pronouncements of the
convention, which will stand as the
most outspoken concourse in the his
tory of this country, were their senti-
ments. 1t is a reassuring thought in
such times as these. predict that
within year that number will be
doubled, and with my co-workers |
shall work to give realization to that
prediction The word had been COM
ing to headquarters all along for the
last few weeks preceding the convcn-
tion that thousands of cx-service men
and women were delaying their deci-
sion to join the Legion until they
had taken the measure of the organ
ization as it revealed itself at the
national convention.
Patriotism Shown at Convention
No finer, bolder revelation of patrio-
tism and disinterested Americanism
ever has been made in time of peace
than that which is to be found in the
deliberations and recommendations of
the elected representatives of the
Legion who met in Minneapolis. 1t
should attract to the ranks o the
Legion every one of the 4.SOo,Ooo who
served, anG who served in spirit as
we'll as fact This little thought now
commend to my comrades throughout
the land.
l subscribe without reservation to
every word and act of the Minneapolis
convention, and | urge upon you to
give your deep and thoughtful consd-
GRAFTON to the work of that great meet
ing. | fear no question Of doubt in the
heart of any Lcgionnaire regarding the
wisdom and patriotism Of the actions
of that convention, yet every man and
woman of the American Legion should
inform himself as to what the conven-
tion has done, so that he may better
appreciate the responsibility and honor
that has come to his Legion.
Seeks to Spread Loyalty
1t shall be my sole aim, while oc-
cupy the post of trust and responsible
ity with which you have honored me,
to give action to your wishes as eX-
pressed in memorials and resolutions
by your representatives at the conven-
ton. The Anericanism Commission of
the American Legion, the creation of
which was recommended to spread and
perpetuate the doctrines of 100 per
cent loyalty to flag. government and
country, shortly will be brought into
being, and adequate provision made for
it to carry out the purposes for which
it was conceived. Every state and town,
every hamlet and fam in the country,
shall feel the force of the Legion
through this organization.
The legislative committee of the
Legion at Washington will be instruct
ed to press the desires of the Legion
upon Congress and to obtain the enact
ment of laws which will realize the de-
mands expressed by the convention
These recommendations fall into three
general classes: First, those looking
toward q better Amerlcanization Of the
fabric of our society; second, legisla