The copper era and Morenci leader., 1921-07-15
GOVERNOR MECHEM AND
 CITIZENS OF NEW MEXICO

July 4, 1921.)
 GOVERNOR MECHEM AND CITIZENS OF NEW MEXICO
 Et is indeed an honor to be asked to say a few words to this audience, on this. the 145th birthday of our na- tion. And I am happy to convey to you a message from the American Legion, as a representative of Ches ter l.. Thompson Post No. 23 of Fort Bayard, composed of disabled eX- service men and women of Hospital 55, battling back to health under your beautiful skies.
 Organized less than three years ago, the American Legion today boasts of over 11,000 posts in the United States, and membership of over 100000 Mighty force. banded together for one purpose and one only. And that is in the development of sound, aggressive Americanism and citizenship in it's members and in all other citizens of our grand and glori- ous Republic. So long as the true spirit of citizenship remains alive in the country, it's citizens as a whole will secure honest capable service from their public officials and sound provisions in legislation. Therefore the Legion's task is confined to the development and maintenance of the universal Americanism and good citi- zenship. Particular decisions on questions of public policy it leaves without comment to the judgement of the individuals concerned
 The American Legion is absolute ly non-political. There is no class, no, creed, no party, no color. No man holding public elective office can hold an office in any post of the Legion. Every national convention of the Le- zion has summarily squelched any idea of politics. We defy anyone to attempt to line up any American Le- sglpn Post on any political question. We won't allow it and it couldn't be done if we would.
 Ityis today the most powerful force lin existence for constructive Ameri- can citiZenship-nationali and I the form of government of OUT fore ! fathers. It will continue to wield that force for good so long as men who have those ideals at heart join the Legion. support it and put their shoulders to the wheel to keep that spirit alive. The Legion can do more good with you in it than with you out Therefore if there are any buddies in this audience today who has not yet E 1 y' come in with us and keep up the same fight for democracy and right that you did in 1917-1Ss and 19. We wan you and need you, and in turn I an sure that you will recive benefits ir proportion to just, what you put into the Legion.
 What is the relation of the Ameri can Legion. and: the.;. community : il which it exists? It is, or should be n, constructive force in every sense Of the .werd. Formed as. is of meI 4sed to team work, organization ant < the spirit of service it cannot, evet q if it would escape it's responsibility < for 8 large share in, the promotion < of activities which count in the train Ing of the community at large, its questions and problems of everyday life and the setting of an example fol our future American citizens, the boys q and girls of today. The American. Le s- gion MUST be an organization com posed of workers interested in al phases of community life, assisting their neighbors in carrying out peace time program of activities that wfIF assure high degree of communi ty welfare. With a definite organiza tion their worth and the degree oi usefulness depend upon two things to my n1nQ. FlTSC dHQ lOT0IuOSI lue amount of energy that the Post as an organization, and the members in dividually, put into the work. Sec ondly, the extent of which the partic ular community puts responsibility upon the post and the opportunity which is given them to assist. If you business men and citizens gathered here today will only give a job to the American Legion Post in your coni munity and then assist them in the work, believe, and I say it without any sense of egotisim, that l think they will carry it out to your satisfac tion You gave us pretty big job tc do April 6 1917 and how we handled it will be written in the pages O. history, or. we refer to Kaiser Will helm as to the way the task wal handled.
 We only ask an opportunity tt show that we have the interest of oul country and our own particular com aspnity at heart. Give us a chance fC work for the common good and
 am sure that you will find us willing If you have no post in your particula