The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1922-11-17
American Legion
National Session

the American Legion national con-
vention, returned from the East this
week. Mr.. Dudley says the sessions
Of the convention resulted in much
constructive work being accomplished
in the interests of the organization.
After the convention, he visited a
number Of the larger cities Of the
East, meeting with friends and asso-
ciates encountered during the time he
was in service in the World War.
To give some idea Of what the
American Legion proposes to accom-
plish in the near future in the inter-
ests of its membership and the nation
the following statement from Alvin
M. Owsley, newly elected National
Commander Of the Legion, is given:
How profoundly touched, how just
" proud / am of the honor Of be-
ing called your National Commander,
is something / shall not attempt at
this time to say. prefer that these
sentiments shall translate themselves
into such action as is within my
power to further the aims, to exalt
the principles, to bring practical real
ization to the ideals for which our
great Legion is known.
We take up the fight where Han
ford MacNider laid it down. Much
as has been achieved, great as are
the strides that have been made to
plant the standard Of The American
Legion in the forefront Of American
institutions Of service, there remains
a legacy of tasks undone which in
vite the effort of every Legionaire.
Those who gave most when Ameri-
ca called upon her sons to defend
the flag, have yet--have after four
years--to receive that which COM
mon humanity decrees to be their
due. The welfare Of our wounded
and disabled has always and ever
will be the cardinal concern of the
Legion. The man who gave his
health and strength in his country's
service must receive the best physical
care and treatment that ocience can
devise and money provide. Their in.
dustrial rehabilitation must be car
ried to point to insure as far as
possible the veterans restoration to
the status of self-supporting cit
izen. For four years this has been
the Governments theory for caring
for the disabled. Progress has been
made, but that theory is not yet a
fact The Legion, which has fought
for the disabled every step of the
way, must prepare now to continue
that fight.
The fight fir adjusted compensation
goes on. This is a republic whose
founding fathers proclaimed that the |
will of the people should be law.
When this will fails to be law, just
that far is representative government |
We are confronted by |
a situation in which measure has
been favorably acted upon by our
national legislators and favorably |
acted upon by the people on every |
They have been permitted |
% express their judgment. Yet it
IS not law of our land. This debt |
If all debts has America, richest of |
nations, seen fit to repudiate. We |
snow this Reputation is not the will
If the people. We know the will Of
The people will prevail. We shall
continue our efforts until it does.
Every war in which this nation
las been engaged has been a war
.or liberation Of oppressed peoples
,r war for. the institution or the
of the democratic form
if government under which this ma
ion has grown great. The greatest
LANCER to the state lies in ignorance
n misunderstanding of these insti-
,utions. Only through the work OF
Americanism can we COM
nand the true fealty if all who reside
within our borders and by education
md example teach them the real OBJ
igations Of citizenship. It is work
lone can perform SO well as the LIE.
yion. It is work that must grow and
20 on.
The nation has been stirred by the
disclosures the Legion has made OF
waste, corruption and
,raft which characterized the Gov
financial transactions dur
ng and since the war. 1t has been
shocked by the laxity of the effort
it the detection and punishment of
hose who are guilty. The American
legion will continue these disclosures
o the end that an aroused public
opinion may force the action that i
necessary to allow the courts Of JUS
ice to deal with those against whom
Iuch grave accusations have been
made.
The Legion viii continue its eff
'orts in behalf Of all unemployed vet