The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1922-02-23
OUR DEBT
THE American Legion post OF

klamath county, on Tuesda
night. gave an excellent entertain
mcnt that packed the largest ha
In the city. They will repcn, tn
show tonight. and undoubtedly pacl
tho house agaln. They gave full NOR
ey's worth on each admission ticke,
That's fine. u shows that tn
people Of klamath county have no
forgotten the debt they owe th
boys who SO readily and valiant,
rallied to their defense In time o
need.
And, II show TOO. that the Lesiol
given value received for what ., re,s
They ask No charity. They put lots o
hard work into the local entertain
ment and 'he qualify OF the enter
tainmcnt shows Il
When the p.oile ot Oregon las
year voted for he passage OF th,
soldiers al leg .sis,.on they did no.
BY collective rei'on discharge theii
dob; TO their defenders. when tbs
congress OF the rnhed States shal
have passed the national bonus
legislation that s! III not discharge
our full obligation.
Those are acts that we have un.
dertakcn ard u II undertake col.
lectively In exempt 20 show the ap.
probation OF the state and nation.
but they do not relieve US Of our
individual responsibility. As long
~ one scant eonipan. Of the great
legion remains upon the esrtt, Z,
will We the duty and privilege OF
every American 40 accord them 'he
fullest support In every iaudsble
cadeavor. And when the iast ven-
cradle sUrvivos ut that noble band
shall close the last fle In the grea,
rctreat. then and only thu can this
and coming generations OF Amsri-
cans consider tn, the need for
sisilant watchfuiness. lest we miss
some opportunity for repayment. is
passed.
We do not share the fear. some
t!mos expressed. that the ss-sery-
Ice man will be injured by pam
psrius." viii become selfish. will
'hirk his duties as M individual,
And will use the collective strength
'f the legion for the advancement
q his own class.
Did they show such self-seeking
In 1917 and 1918?
When by thousands and hundreds
n thoursnds they reiinQuished safe
positions and went forth 70 hard
'hips. danger and of;imes death In
he service OF freedom. were they
reading then on stepping stones In
he pathway OF class aggrandize-
nent.
They went, the vas, majority.
because OF the realization that a
great crisis had arisen demanding
hc submergence OF their own am
'ftions and desires 70 the welfare
u America and the ideals OF free
iom tina, are Americas dearest
leritage.
Has the exps -ience gathered In
amps and in battle-and the few
'ears OF peace. elapsing for those
Hho came back, with their lives
nd little else TO show for two or
hrec years ardrous servIce-chang-
ID these high attributes:
II would be a strange alcf nmy
hat has SO quickly Transmitted such
bsolute unscifshness into base
elf-seekinr and made mercenary
lross Of three million loyal hearts. !
The truth Is chat the members
u the American legion seek only
he just dues OF ali Americans, the
Constitutional rights safegusrded TO
very citizen--an equal chance In
Ito. the same liberty In action and !
'pinion. and the same opportunity
or the pursuit. VI happiness.
Whom they went TO war they
ave voluntary handicap to those
tho remained behind. They sac
ificed good positions In civil life,
nd In many Instances did not re-
ain them when they came back.
housands OF those whose living
ONES from manual toll find for.
lgners today holding the Jobs In
htch ex-service men should have
reference. l.s tss ~ T.