Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-06-05


Who welcomed the distinguished
visitor.
said is practically his first visit. He
made reference to the cordial hospital
ity of Governor Milliken, who made
the arrangements for the trip, and
voiced his appreciation Of the opporu
nifty he has had to see and talk with
the people.
You may we'll be proud of >the men
men you sent from Maine to the
American Expeditionary Forces" he
said. For gallantry in the field and
devotion to duty they were second to
none of the troops in the expeditionary
forces
He paid tribute to the loyalty and
undivided patriotism of the people
who stayed at home and backed the
men in the field The women came in
for special praise. 1t was they who
nursed the wounded and kept up that
little touch of home that every man
needed. They kept us in mind of our
obligations to our mothers. wives and
sweethearts,' said General Pershing.
and added that the record for morality
and good conduct of the American ex-
peditionary forces has never been
equalled by any army in the history
of the world. .-.
Looking at the present and into the
future, General Pershing said:
The war has not ended our obliga-
tions. Many things came to the sur
face during the fighting that need at
tention now. Twenty-Five per cent. of
the men in the draft We're illiterate
and this in America where we speak of
liberty and freedom and uphold the
traditions of our forefathers as ex-
amples.'
Turning to Governor Milliken, Cen
eral Pershing said he had not been
able to extract from him the percent
age of iIliterscy among Maine sol
diers and facetiously intimated that
perhaps the governor might be en-
parrassed if he were questioned close
ly about it. Becoming serious again,
the general continued: Il am sure
that from the Maine people 1 have
seen and with whom | have talked
can safely say that Maine is at the
top of the list in the small percentage
OF illiteracy"
General Pershipg made an especial
plea for education of our children for
citizenship. He spoke of the host of
foreigners among US who do not I'M
derstand our institutions. They are
segregated and permitted to speak
their own language and live their lives
In America as they did at home.
1T is the duty of every community"
declared the general. ito see that they
are taught the English language and
brought into touch with our ways.
Unless all communities cooperate in
diligently in the same spirit that they
showed during the war we are drifting
away from the paths laid out by our
ancestors"
AS a. buddy General Pershing said
he wanted to speak to the James
Fitzgerald Post of the Legion in Au-
gusta. The legion. he said. stands for
about all that is fine in American eft
izenship. 1t is for God. for home, for
country; against all rule by classes:
for theS preservation, Of the purity of
the constitutional principles of the
United States. He advised all men
and women who are eligible to join
the legion and auxiliary and predicted
that it will become a great steadying
force in the nation. He based his pre-
diction on the fact that the legion. Us
composed Of all elements, men who
know each other and understand each
others problems. 1T offers encour-
agement." he said. ito all those who
have the 0ountrys welfare at heart"
Last Of all nc thanked the governor
and the people for the hearty recep-
ton he had received. II accept these
courtesies only In the name of the
splendid men In France whose eff
cheney. valor and patriotism brought
home the victory" said General PERISH
Ing as he resumed his seat amid
tumuIt ~ applause.