The Colorado statesman., 1920-04-24


ago. ia France, tnat all were asking
what kind of veterans organization
we should have. corresponding to the
G. A. r. and the Confederate Veterans.
We had all seen the wonderful spirit
of those in the service and we thought
It would he more than unfortunate II
that spirit were allowed to die out.
1t, therefore. was decided to form a
great veterans organization to which
every person would be eligible who
was in service. regardless of whether
he we're an officer or enlisted man, and
whether he served In this country or
France.
The movement was started on the
fifteenth of March. last year. only a
year ago. In a years time from that
small beginning 1t has become an Or
ganization with an active organization
in every state of the Union. with some
$500 posts and a membership well
over a million.
Why is it that the American Legion
in such a short time has grown so rap
idly? The reason is simply this: That
it was formed for the purpose of
keeping alive that spirit of service
which we all know about. And that
spirit of service is service to our coun-
try and service to our comrades.
When we were over there, we saw
ourselves the radical tendencies In
France. We Heard from officers COM
ing from England of the radical ten
denotes In England. and we heard
there was some concern in this coun-
try as to what might happen when
over four million men were demobil-
lied. We made up our minds the first
service we should render to our coun-
try as civilians would be to see to 1t
that this government, this country
thai we were protecting against the
enemy, we would protect against the
foes within.
You have heard great deal about
the stand of the American Legion FOR
law and order. That stand for law
and order has done more for our coun-
try than most of us realize.
was talking a short time ago to
member of q foreign embassy and he
was discussing the American Legion
and he said:
do you realize most of the disor-
der and lawlessneSS in our country is
caused by ex-service men. whereas IN
your country you have your ex-serv-
ice men putting down lawlessness and
disnrder?"
was talking in Washington In the
office of the military intelligence of
the war department which is connect
ed with the attorney generafs ONCE
and they both told me that the great
est central factor In curbing the actlV-
ities of the reds and the radicals VINO
would ovcrturn our government Dy
force was the American Legion. Those
who would overturn our government
by force know they can only DO SO oy
force and the only great group OF CIT
izens who recognize fully the power
of force are the ex-service men VINO
were lighting force with force. Anu
when they appreciated the fact that
there were $500 posts throughout the
country aud not locality of any slze'
but what had an American Legion posi-
and that It was a rallying point arouhu
which the ex-service men can gamer
in case Of lawlessness. ana that
through tHt leBioh az
would stop the attempts OF the rau-
icals-that has turned the tide ana
made an Improvement since last sum-
mer.
Let me give you an illustration OF the
sounduess of their Judgment. "heh
the steel strike began In Town ~
Ohio, the posts called a meeting anu
they offered their services to the in"y
or. The mayor Immediately swore ~
about two hundred. one hundred nc
held In reserve and the other hunuleu
he mt patrolIng the residence section.
The next day the labor union ealieu
meeting for the purpose of denounc-
ing the legion for strike breaking. inc
head OF the American Legion posi- nap
pened to be a union man and ne wen.
to the meeting and he explained Jus.
exactly what they were DOING ina
they were taking no part whatevel ~
the controversy and were simply inter
estpd In the protection or tne'f "o
and those OF the union workers.
you are Ioyai patriotic Amer1chh
c,tizens So are we. We are inter-
esred In the same things. and tnere-
fore. this meeting which you nave
called for tue purpose Of denounc'hs
.he Anrrirru Legion when you under-
stand wbat we are trying to do' 10