The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-10-15
0WSLEY MAKES
FINAL ADDRESS
TO LEGION MEN
Tells Them They Must Defend
the Constitution and Laws
of the Country
OBJECTS TO VAST
Must Lend their Assistance ia
the Laboring People and
Further His Interests

Owsley, retiring nntional command
er of the American Legion, in his
farewell address today before the
national convention,
called upon the men of the Legion
with patriot hearts, pure as gold,
to respond in this four fraught with
many possibilities and laden with
whispers of impending danger.
"There is no back sliding for the
Legion away from the original pur-
pose Of its founding" he said, land
the constitution of the United States,
which is the supreme law of the
land, must be upheld and defended
by you.
"Law and order will be kept and
preserved; right proclaimed and
proudly asserted the Master of
Might" Mr.. Owsley declared. 1.-THE
memories of our sacrifices as COM
rades must be carefully conserved
and the we'll being, happiness and
prosperity Of all sanctified by our
devotion to mutual helpfulness.
'"Our immense treasure of national
resources must not be wasted away
in profligate expenditure for indivi-
duals for profit and benefit accruing
to groups and combination of CAPT.
tai that sometime may acquire and
keep vast holdings against the pub
lie policy and common good. Let US
then inaugurate and freely support
an extensive program for the conser-
walton of our natural resources; re-
clamation of waste lands, where
homes, farms and expression of in
dividualism can be built and estab-
lished; preserve and give fullest pro-
lection to our national forest re-
serves and parks and the develop
ment of our waterways, rivers and
canals.
Wild Animals Passing
"The wild animal, SO distinctly a
part of American history, is fast
passing out, SO much so we may say
is nearly extinct. Our bird life has
been slaughtered and destroyed on
SO extravagant scale that they are
rarely to be seen; our streams,
brooks, rivers and lakes once filled
with fish are stagnant or fished out
and empty. Attention wisely given
to protection, of forest and field
closed season for animals and birds
encouragement to the state and
nation for their breeding and pro.
pagation and the restocking of all
our waters with fish will in a large
measure give needed employment to
numerous workers, and draw to the
Legion the acknowledgement from
right thinking men and women OF
our controlling desire for unselfish
labors."
Always and fixed in the mind OF
the Legion is the recognition and de.
sire to uphold and further the best
interest of the laboring people, Mr.
Owsley, continued.
"Ours is the song of better homes
churches and schools. The inalien-
able and God-given right to man ia
work out his own salvation in his
own way and chosen time. We, the
Legion adhere to the doctrine that
mans greatest happiness is to be
found in his laughter, his labor and
love-"
Mr.. Owsley said he brought a
message of enthusiasm, "a statement
of accomplishment in which we can
take pride; the assurance of duty
conscientiOusly performed; q declar.
alton of hope and courage; a vision
into the future that is radiant and
inspiring"
"When speaking to the delegates
at New Orleans, as the newly elected
national commander, committed
the Legion under my leadership to
four comprehensive principles of en-.
deavof: disqualification, rehabilita.
ton, adjusted compensation and
Americanization.
Progress IL Made
"The separate reports of depart.
ment heads appear, to me, to speak
Of consistent progress toward q
better state for our sick and disabled
comrades; justifiable prediction
Of the passage Of the Adjusted Com.
pensatiop Bill by the next congress
and the inauguration of patriotic
American discussion and leadership
on matters of national education, re.