Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-07-19
THE AMERICAN LEGION IN

With more than four million Veter
ans of the world war to be reckohed
with the fan elections, candidates ana
political managers are more than an
xiOus for any indication of the stand
of former service men on political
questions
The American legion in Illinois has
taken a position which viii be re-
ceiyed with enthusiasm by those can
didates whose ideal is public service,
For those whose motives are else
where. for those whose supporters
hate the established government, for
those who think only Of self, the le-
gions statement of principles IS, a
death knell.
The statement addressed to the
membership Of the American legion
in Illinois by its commander, Milton
J Foreman, follows:
1T has seemed to me appropriate
that before the beginning Of tho first
national political campaign occurring
since the war with Germany and Aus
tria reinstatement of the principles
of the American legion should be
made, not only as a reminder 10 our
members, but for the information OF
others who are now, and until NoVem-
Der will be unusually solicit0us for
the health, happiness and material
prosperity Of the members Of our or
ganizatiOn.
The american legion stands tOr
principles and not for men. 1t sup
ports or opposes men only when they
are closely identified with measures
involving important principles
It stands for constitutional govern
ment, for equality under the law, for
the greatest degree of individual lib
erty and initiative consistent with
the rights of the masses.
1t opposes government for the ben
eft Of the classes. it deprecates the
formation of political juntas for the
support Of class advantage at the
sacrifice of intelligent interest in all
other governmental problems.
The legion demands military and
naval preparedness, at least in train
ed officers and abundance Of material
so that the next generation shall not
only be hastily thrown into war in
adequately armed and incompetently
led.
Our recent experience shows con
clusively that neither competent of
ficers not adequate war material
can be provided between the rising
and setting of the sun on the same
day, however readily large numbers
of inexperienced and unframed men
can be mustered within that time
The individual members Of the le-
Pion come from all walks of life, are
of various political and religions be- |
liefs and reserve to themselves the |
fullest liberty of action in the eXer- |
else of their rights as citizens.
But as an organization the legion
concerns itself only with the princi- !
pies and purposes for which it was
organized ana will never support IA
man or party which directly or indi-
rectly opposes our constitutional rep
Tesentative government for the bcne-
fit all classes and conditions of our
citizens
The legion will ever keep in mind |
the duty our country owes to those |
who served it ana viii bear in equally .
keen recollection those who by word, |
deed or act retarded the vigorous |
prosecution of the war and thereby |
became responsible for casualties |
which might have been avoided.
For those that We're in the service
the legion demands only that cOneid- |
Grafton which all nations at all times
have freely granted to those who on
posed their bodies to the common en-.
envy, that is, the care and protection
by the nation for the manned and dis
abled for the families Of those who
made the ultimate sacrifice and an
equalization Of economic advantage
with those who for one reason or an-
other. were not privileged to serve
The nation at war.
II would appear from the abovoI
that should the veterans Of the world
war show united front in the com.
ing political campaign, that the. out,
come will be as welcome to the nation
as whole as was tho outcome of the
war which these men helped To win
- .-