The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-11-07

The American Legion is the organization
of the honorably discharged ex-service mer
and women of the great World War. The
Constitution Of the American Legion pro-
= vides for active membership only and there
is no honorary membership in the Legion.
Those who are eligible to membership
are the men and women who served honor
ably in any branch of the Army, Navy OF
Marine Corps of the United States for any
length of time between April 6, 1917, and
November IL, 1918, and the men and women
who served in the naval, military or ali
forces of any nation associated with the
United States in the war, provided that al
the time of their entry into this service they
were American citizens and that they have
resumed their American citizenship by the
time they apply for membership in the Le-
gion, and did receive upon discharge an
Honorable Discharge or its equivalent.
The eligibility requirements of the Amer
lean Legion enable it to be, as it is, the most
democratic organization in the most demo
cratic nation on earth. Membership in it is
not limited to any class party, creed or fac
ton, but is merely limited to those who gave
patriotic service to their country under GER
tain conditions; there are enrolled in it per-
sons from every walk of life, of every creed
of various political beliefs and from different
factions
The purposes of the American Legion are
most clearly set forth in the Preamble to its
National Constitution, which is as follows:
"For God and Country, we associate our
selves together for the following purposes:
of the United States of America; to main
tain law and order; to foster and perpetuate
a lOO-per cent Americanism; to preserve the
memories and incidents of our association in
the Great War; ii inculcate sense of individ-
ual obligation to the community, state and
nation; to combat the autocracy of both the
classes and the masses; to make right the
master of might; to promote peace and good
will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to
posterity the principles of justice, freedom
an9 democracy; to consecrate and sanctify
81. comradeship by our devotion to mutual
.elpfulness."
The Legion has no purposes policies OF
activities which are not covered by the pre-
amble. The purpose of the American Le
gion is thus twofod: Service to the country
and to ex-servce persons. What purposes
could be more laudable or commendable?,
The organization is exerting all of it.
strength and influence to the end that al
ex-service men and women, especially thu
disabled and their dependents, and the de
pendents of those who paid the supreme sac
rifice, shall receive that just and fair treat
ment which they have reason to expect from
q patriotic and liberal country.
In serving the country, the organization
Is endeavoring to keep alive that spirit o
service which induced all to respond to tn
country's call in time Of need, even to tn
extent of being willing to pay the suprem
sacrifice. This is being done by assisting il
the teaching and maintenance of 100 pc
cent Americanism and good citizenship base,
on fair play and square deal for all. II
endeavoring to show that there is just a
much need for patriotism and patriotic serv
ice as citizens in time of peace as there wa
as soldiers in time of war
The American Legion is not militar
organization, nor does membership therei
affect or increase liability for military or pc
lice service. 1t is absolutely non-political AM
shall not be used for the dissemination Q