Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-09-16
COOLIDGE GREETINGS

st. Paul, Mimi. Sept. l5--Highly
important progress has been made
toward elimination OF war from the
world, President Coolidge declared in
a letter of greeting read to the
American Legion convention today.
The presidents communication eS-
pressing regret that he could not at
tend. praised the part played by i.e-
gionnaircs both in war and in peace,
"a record OF unseliish readiness to
serve
The "heavy drafts upon the 10y
atty and patriotism of those able to
defend" this country. the president
said, always have been gloriously
met. but the meeting OF them has
brought suffering and tragedy beyond
all accounting.
1T has represented burden that
must not again be laid upon the
young manhood Of the nation, save
in circumstances which make it alb
solutely unavoidable.
1.-The thought of the world turrs in
| creasingly toward peace. IT'S preser-
, walton and perpetuation. / AZ: glad
to say to the Legion that this thought
Is more and more finding leadership
and direction.
We are justified. as never before.
| in the hope for great accomplish
ments. through the cooperation OF
the nations. in the ways of peace.
, Highly important progress Is making
along road which leads to the elimin-
ation of war from this world
Responding to addresses Of well
come on behalf OF Commander Quinn.
James T. Williams Jr., editor of the
.. Boston Transcript, urged opposition
. to attempts by any clerical bloc. in
nf ha .,h,,rnh to Y,n1n 10
with the business Of the state"
universally with which Defense
Day was observed" he said, "attests
the righteous indigna ton of the
American people at the attempt of an
sutocracy of the cloth to set UP in
this country u government by cteri-
cal bloc
The opening session presented n
colortul setting. picturesque caps
and other garb of the several thou
sand delegates forming Il patch quilt
effect.
Commander Quinn was given an
ovation when he concluded his ad-
dress and a. similar demonstration
ident of the auxiliary, when she was
presented.
God bless you ALL" Said a cable
gram of greeting from Cardinal Mer
cier of Belgium.
Judge Torrance. sounding the
greetings of the G. A. r.. said the
Legion had earned the right to Sue
coed to all that in the past has con-
tributed to the founding. preserving
and stability of American institu-
tons
The convention adjourned until to-
morrow
Addresses of welcome on behalf Of
the city and state, greetings. from
the G. A. r. and United Confederate
Veterans, a message from President
Coolidge and solemn tribute to
Woodrow Wilson. were included in
the activities of the opening session.
Within the realm Of convention
business fell the addresses by Ma
tional Commander John r. Quinn.
who pointed to Legion achievements
in the past year. reports Of several
committees: and an address by Cen
eral Frank T. Hines director of the
Veterans Bureau, who told the vet
Grams the bureau had been Cleaned
up" Many delegates met in bolster
Gus groups of happy groups on street
corners. Posts In France, Cuba.
Alaska. Panama. Brazil, Hawaii.
Philippines and other countries are
represented.
Committee sessions occupied this
afternoon and evening and with ad-
ditional Legionnaires arriving to-
night preparations were going for
ward for q full representation In the
parade tomorrow afternoon.