Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-01
comradeship developed in the great

He declared that this was the task
possible victorious peace and al
flrmed that the value of such COM
radeship was the great lesson Of the
war. He told them that they could
earn a still greater debt of gratitude
by intoxicating the same spirit IN
those engaged in the important pur-
suits of peace. Admiral Beatty said:
Il first wish to express the pleas
ure and pride which feel in attend
able to give my testimony to the
utility. the international value and
the world wide importance of this
great union Of men who have already
shown their worth to humanity in
assisting to maintain civilization
against the wanton attacks of great
militant power.
The sentiment which inspired the
American Legion to invite to it's an
nual convention representatives Of the
forces which fought side by side with
them in the great war is sentiment
which. carried to its ideal conclusion
should inaugurate new era, an era
| of peace in this troublous world OF
ours.
1--WE fought a malignant autocracy
which sought to impose its DONNA
| ton on other nations and their duly
constituted governments. Proud of
their freedom and true to their tradi-
tions these great nations sacrificed
everything to preserve their integrity.
Great peace loving nations, immersed
| in the pursuit of their domestic al
fairs, rallied to meet the danger.
raised mighty fleets and armies and
stood shoulder to shoulder in the path
of the aggressor.
1.-THE first shock OF the attack had
necessarily to be borne by those ma
tons which stood first in the enemy's
path and who We're most directly
threatened.
1T is to the immortal glory Of the
American nation that, far removed
Though they were from the carnage
land devastation of the battlefields.
they came at moment when the out
look was darkest to the relief of the
sorely tried peoples who were threat
ened with destruction.
"Other nations fought in selfde-
fence with the certainty of dissolu-
ton if they failed, but the United
States had little TO fear whatever the
outcome might be. Her entry into the
war was brought about by a COM
plctely unselfsh determination to see
justice done and to show that II
would not tolerate wanton aggression
against free and peaceful peoples.
THE heroism of American soldiers
and sailors was altruistic and was
displayed in defence of others. What
the history of the worldr How COM
pNtely that purpose was fulfilled is
written in letters of gold in the his
tory OF the world.
"A bond Of unity was created be-
tween the great powers who with
stood the onslaught of the enemy-a
bond which eventually overthrow
him, bringing the war to a successful
conclusion. That bond has been
sanctfed by the blood of thousands,
staining the fair land of France, Italy,
Belgium and other battlefelds and
the seas hold in their depths many
| gallant souls who gave their lives
THAT the world shall be better and
cleanc Place.
ITO insure that these sacrifices
have not been made in vain there re-
mains task to be performed which
is part of the aftermath Of war-a
task necessary to secure the fruits Of
the lahors of the great heroes both
living and dead. who fought and dicd
that our children should be spared
the horrors of repetition of the
events that have scourged the world,
causing it to live in an orgy Of blood.
! That is the task which lies before
| the great American Legion. Those
who made victorious peace possible.
who stood side by side in war, shall
stand side by side in peace. They
shall steadfastly repress all petty
| joalousies and move forward together
along the path of civilization and
| prosperity. In this great task we
have to combat the froilty Of human
M ture. the eXplosivcness of human
pa ssions.
/ Great peoples are moved by petty
incidents, and are all too readily
swaycd by the breath Of scandal and
propaganda, but if this great or
ganization sets itself stcadfastly to
profit by the terrible lessons of his
tory, we may surely hope with con-
| fidence that the past which was
f, sealed with the blood of thousands
Of our comrades will be upheld and
| treasured rs vory sacred thing, a
! bulwark IF peace in tho world
"The spirit of comradcshin which
! animated our fighting mon must ami
mate our whole nations 50 that they
may without let or hindraron engage
! in the friendly rivalry of commerce.
to their mutual advantage and to the
betterment of conditions of life.
| The one great lesson, therefore.
that we have learned through bitter
experience and the sacrifices that
! have been freely made is the value Of
conradeship. The American Legion
! like its counterpart, the British
Legion. is well equipped with knowl-
! edge and experience to press home
this fundamental truth. The sr5irit of
Comradcship must be kept alive. II
must become gospel to he preached
throughout our countries and the
DICTIONARIES must be the prophets.
! Those of us who have been in tight
rlaces together recognize that the
success or failure of their enterprise
depended upon complete unity and
comradeship. and that the smooth