The Devils Lake world., 1922-10-04
THE AMERICAN LEGION IN TIME
OF PEACE

THE AMERICAN LEGION IN TINE
OF PEACE
The American Legion, a body of
men banded together for the purposes
expressed in the preamble, set out
above, was organized by a half dozen
men during the World War. During
the four years that it has been in
existence, it has grown until today its
membership reaches every corner Of
the United States and its possessions,
with a total of 900 Posts. The opin-
ion is quite prevalent that the Ameri-
can Legion was organized for purely
selfish interests. This is true only in
so far as it seeks to obtain a meager
compensation for its members, and
more particularly in its fight to secure
for the disabled and battle-scarred
every comfort that grateful nation
can offer and every care that medical
science can give; but broader than
these. making itself felt in every cor
ner Of the nation is its unselfish pro-
gram Of education and AmericaniZa-
tion.
Whatever may be the merits or de-
merits of the American Legion, we are
forced to admit that its influence and
power are being felt to perhaps a
greater degree than any other organ
ization in the country. Almost every
newspaper that is printed and every
magazine that is published has space
devoted to the work of this great
body.
A recent article, by an author un-
known to the writer, likens the Ameri-
can Legion to the builders of great
city for the generations of America
yet to come; city with white halls
of counsel and pleasant parks; city
where there shall be palaces Of art
and stately libraries, and homes, whose
four walls clasp and shield the strength
and happiness Of nation. The watch
word of this city shall be the word,
Liberty, and across its loftiest archway
shall be written the word, Law, and
the name Of the city is America.
Having in mind the analogy of this
unknown writer and applying it to the
principles for which the American
Legion stands, we shall find in this
city a refuge for those unfortunates,
broken in its defense. Not otherwise
can any city stand, save by the con-
slant care and enduring gratitude of
all its citizenry and those who man.
ned the walls agaist foreign foe and
faced and felt the sting of wounds
and the agony Of wasting illness and
long helplessness as the sad result of
service done. To this principle, this
Legion Of America stands committed
that no soldier of America shall suf-
fer through injuries incurred in the
defense of America, insofar as an
awakened nation may assuage that
suffering.
The disabled of the World War
have been and ever will be the Legion's
constant care. Far back in the summer
OF 1919, this championship of the
cause of the disabled brought the Leg
ion into prominence, but not into
popularity. The mind of the nation
was dazzled with something different
from war and sacrifice-the making
Of money. War profits were at thei1
height that first year after the war
the rewards were swift and amazing
IN every manner of business enter
prise; and that great flame of mora
ardor that had won the war fickerec
and fell in ashes. Appropriations hac
been made for the care Of the disabled
was not that enough? Let US forge
the war. Such were the sentiments ot
the citizens of this walled city of ou1
dreams.
Here was work for a Legion, NOR,
needful than any carrying of ston,
or guarding of tents of generals. TIL,
Legion of America took up the task
There are now 10000 disabled me,
in hospitals and 10000 in vocationa
training and the American Legio,
brought about this condition Of hel,
and benefit.
This city CT our dreams shall be
city of hospitals, and in its outskirt.
there shall be groves and pleasan
fields of healing and every America,
disabled in Americas defense, shal
partake of these things as his right
and the nation shall accord them glad
ly as the payment Of an honorable
debt.
Not until this is true, throughou
the land, shall the American Legio,
falter or turn back, and when justic
has been brought to the last man O
all the disabled men, then shall ou
streets be clean again and our cit,
shall face the stars and the sunligh
upon white city Of honor, prou,
city of service rewarded and of dut,
done.
The aim of the American Legion
however, is not merely to help thos
who were wounded in the war It pro
ceeds on the theory that every ma,
whe entered the service was disabled
Nd