New-York tribune., 1921-04-11
DIR. Sti1'es Asks
u. S. to Uphold
Legion Ideals
One Country, One Language,
OneFlag,' DeclaredWatch.
word That Will Insure
Nations Spiritual Unity
1000 Veterans at Church
Red Cross, Army and Navy
Represented at Services
Marking War Anniversary

The watchword zone country one
language, one flag" should be made eff
fectivc in the life of the nation as part
Of the unfinished task Of those who fell
in the World War, declared the Rev.
Ernest M. Stircs during memorial serv-
ices held yesterday afternoon under the
auspices of the American Legion at St.
Thomas's Church, Fifth Avenue and
East Fifty third Street.
Marking the fourth anniversary of
the entry of the United States into the
war, the services were distinctly in ap-
probation and commemoraton OF what
Dr. Stires referred to as the great
spiritual army which, he said, is look
ing to its living comrades to finish the
task begun on the battlchelds of Eu-
rope.
More than one thousand members of
the Legion, 200 Red Cross nurses and
members of patriotic organizations par
tlclpated IN the services Various
branches of the army. navy and reserve
corps were represented by officers and
men and women III uniform. The offer
of sick and wounded veterans. who. Dr.
Stlres said, have been shamefully treat
ed. but who, he felt sure, would prop
erly be provided FOR when Il generous
public forces action on the part Of Con
gress.
Pleads for Lcgion's Ideals
Dr. Stres praised the work of the
Legion in behalf of needy former serv-
ice men and expressed the gratitude of
all Americans for the service of those
who fell in the line of duty. He urged
the Legion to continue to maintain it's
high ideals and unselfish devotion to
the cause of the sick and disabled. If
this were done, he declared, the 2,OOO,-
600 members forming the Legion would
prove to be q force which neither polit-
zeal combine nor partisan scheme could
overcome.
"When our minds recall their service
and our hearts grow warm with affec-
ton they seem to come near with a
message for u.s. said DR.. Stircs, in
part. This message is that the great
war was only the first phase of the
fight to save the world. The next cam
palgn is to be won not by bullets, but
by ballots that are intelligent and hon
est; not by shells flung, but by hearts
and souls flung into the midst of the
rising tide of corruption and indiffer-
ence. Those who have gone over the
long trail are leading US in the fight
but unless we mobilize and advance, the
first victory soon will be without value
We must realize that we cannot
truly honor them unless We consecra te
ourselves to their unfinished task Let
US understand definitely what this task
is. 1t is this:
Urges Substitute for War
'First, that civilization shall find a
better method than war for the settle
ment of international disputes Amer
ica must be free and safe, but America
must join and lead, and we should not
permit narrow and selfish politicians
to control or jeopardize our destiny.
Second, alien, selfish and unpatriotic
groups in our country shall not alien
ate us from our Allies. We should
value our spiritual unity for the safety
and progress Of humanity. Third, we
should determine that partisan poll
tics is unnecessary in city government
and insist that intelligence, honesty
and dignity be restored.
Our comrades in the great spiritual
army look with hope upon the Amer
lean Legion, men pledged to God and
country, invincible for right. Thev
see you demanding justice for the sick
and wounded. They see you preparin :
to teach Americanism to aliens, to CHI
dren in the schools and to Americans
by your unselfish example And this is
what those who made the supreme sac
ritce would have you continue to do.
This would be the most noble way in
which to repay them"
The music included a professional
hymn and a triumphal march, written
for and dedicated to the Legion by T.
Tertius Noble, organist of the church.
Arrangements for the participation in
the services of Legion posts were un-
der direction of H. Seward lie Fevre. I'd
Division Post