The Omaha morning bee., 1924-11-12
Peace w ith
Honor, Coal
of Legion
James A. Drain, National
Commander. Tells Of
Ideals and Aims of
Organization.
Is Given Ovation Here

Cheers, as noisy and uhole-hearted
as those which we're uttered through
out the world November II, 1918,
were given at the Rome hotel Tues
day night by the $50 American
Legion members gathered for the
banquet given in honor of James A.
Drain. national commander. as Jim
walked into the banquet room.
The demonstration for Drain lasted
nearly five minutes. He bowed and
acknowledged the greeting and then
walked OF his place at the speakers
table.
The Seventeenth infantry orchestra
furnished the music for the occasion.
The Keno quartet the quartet which
represented Omaha at the St. Paul
convention. sang and the drum corps
Of Omaha post No. l displayed the
talent which won them mention Il
few weeks ago.
Comma Of posts at Nebraska
City, Valley, Lincoln. Papillion and
Arlington were present.
Anan Raymond. newly elected COM
mander Of Omaha post No. I. intro
duced Drain, the only speaker OF the
evening.
Drain plunged at once into his ad-
dress. calling on the guests to remem-
Der the lessons Of the war. The ad-
dress follows;
War for Protection.
Look back TO April s, 1917. That
was the day when, after years Of
self-restraint and forbearance, out
ragged beyond the possibility OF fur
ther endurance. the United states
entered the world war. The ma
ton came in not to serve a selfish
purpose, but TO protect itself and
Its citizens and TO help establish
the balance for righteousness in
the world and 10 wipe out the rule
OF might over right.
The effect OF the declaration Of
war was like the opening OF q
throttle upon o great engine. 1t
released forces Of inealculable pow
er and aroused and vivified re-
serves of patriotism which the
American people did not know they
had.
The compulsory military service
law passed at once. which made the
whole manpower Of the nation
available to fight, seems 10 me one
OF the finest demonstrations OF
patriotism which this or any other
land has ever known. II meant that
the manhood OF America was volun-
teering in q body because the
congress- Of the United States. re-
sponsive as 1t was TO the Will of the
people. could have never passed
that legislation had not an over
whelming majority Of the people
been for e.
Part OF L. :. World Wonder.
believe when the history Of
the world j. adequately written.
the part played in It by the United
States viii he recognized as one
OF the new wonders OF the world
think no people ever did so much.
or did it so well in SO short a time.
| do not under.rate the efforts Of
the allied nations: they held the
battle line with rare courage and
marvellous devotion through more
than three sanguinary and terrible
years. but the United States, hest
tant for long. when it did come,
came with the overwhelming force
and speed of an avalanche.
OF course. there were blunders
and faults without number. You
would not expect any operation OF
the magnitude Of this TO be carried
forward without faults. But, on
the whole, il was a great task
gloriously we'll done.
Our people at home and over
there, In the military forces and out.
resolutely cheerful. shouldered their
burdens and went forward side by
side in perfect cadence with fun
step. You cannot stopple people;
nothing can impede their power OF
motion forward when they so move.
Praises National Spirit.
All tribute Is due our men who
went overseas and suffered and
fought and died there. We shall
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