Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-02-13
Editors Letter Box
Apropos Of Col. MacNider's Maine

The query mas been made as to why
Hanford MacNider, National Comman-
der of the American Legion, did not
Nisit or speak i'll Augusta during his
trip to Maine. That question would be
answered only by Augustus citizens,
If they would frankly and honestly
question their own minds and hearts.
There is no officer or member of the
local post of the American Legion who
is subject to censor or criticism FOR
the rclegated position of Augusta On
Commander MacNider's itinerary
The answer ia the civic apathy Of
our people. We of the American Lee
gion realized that visit from Col.
MacNider was an occasion eXtraordi-
,, nary. His national prominence war
ranted his reception and honor by the
whole community and not alone by his
comrades of the Legion. But what
has been the experience Of the past
A disgraceful one. Men of national,
yes, international prominence, when
requested to honor an Augusta audi
cnce, have had to look out from the
platform of City hall. over empty Sec
tions of seats, reserved for the City
Government" and other unoccupicd
row on rows for the public Their
attendance on these occasions would
only have been the smallest courtesy.
| The honor is done by the distinguished
guest in coming before them. We of
the Legion did not wish to fiaunt the
| shame of Augusta, Capital of Maine,
L., ;t lotA
| that his only impression of our city
be that obtained in passing through
on the train. We know too we'll the
SNUG. sclf-centered complacency of
| our citizens who cover their deficien-
cies in such matters by thcir-'Thc
| war is over, lets forget it. and every
! thing connected with it,
| Certainly Col. MacNider should
| have been entertained in Augusta; he
should have been greeted by rous-
| ing audience in City hall; welcomed
by composite committee of our city
and State governments, comrades of
; the Legion and Rotary Club and citi-
zcns. He should have been dined b.
brothers of the Rotary and Legion,
! and entertained as an honored guest
by our governor at the Executive Man.
! sior (for whom. il not such as he,
were the State dining rooms. State re-
! ception rooms. State chambers, pre-
| pared at such expense in the ENecutiN,
Mansion") But Armisticc day, and
! the long list of occasions when, the
! American Legion has had to carry or
| oil IN
We knew the Mortified antagon:sn1
we would have encountered had we
/ suggested closing the places of busi.
ness for an hour to do this guest honor
! and welcome. We knew the impossi-
bility of obtaining cooperation froiA
a doddering Chamber of Commerce
We were aware of the lack of com
prehension of civic responsibility
to distinguished guests. We were
all too familiar with the avari-
cious attitude that has been Gur
experience In seeking observance
from the businesses. We did not
want Col. MaeNider to see the fragrant
lack Of respect to the Flag so prera-
lent here. We have seen our citizens
through ignorance or Indifference. 1--WE
are generously. lounge in exaggerated
debutante SLOUGH attitudes agans;
walls and buildings, hands deep in
pockets, while the National Colors
were carried by in parade, perhaps fol.
lowed by flag draced casket on gun
caisson. We can not expect more
from a people who will make the Won
derful rendition of the National An
! them by their own earnest symptoms
orchestra, the occasion for agitatins
themselves into their wraps and leaF-
ing the auditorium. We would hide
in shame should such a guest see the
Flag at the Executive Mansion of the
State, displayed at distress position as
it was on Armstice day last, while our
| War Veterans and National Guard
marched past We did not want to
have to answer when questioned as 10
Augustus memorial to her heroic dead
, that there was only the printed sheet
! in City hall, prepared by the loving
hands of. our friends of the Red Cross,
with what facilities they have avail
| able.
! 1t was because we were cognizani
of the utter lack of conception by III ;
people of Augusta as to the honor anc
! courtesies due such a guest as Col.
| MacNider. and the impossib.lity CT
obtaining responsive cooperation
from her citizens and organizations
| that we believed. it better that we OF