Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-03-06

rooms. The evening was a complete
success from every point Of view
from the interesting speeches deliv-
cred in the main auditorium up
stairs to the less formal social time
enjoyed in the clubs rooms after the
talks. The first speaker who was
also the efficient master OF ceremon-
les was Past Commander Everett II.
Maxcy, who in the absence of Com
mander William o. Trip who was
unable to be present OH account OF
serious illness in his family intro
duced the speakers. Comrade MaXcy
paid highest tribute to Past Com
mander William Maloney stating IN
no uncertain terms that the major
credit Of the wonderful work which
had been accomplished belonged to
him. The speaker gave the audience
some comprehension of the insplra-
ton Of this soldier and craftsman,
and in vain called upon him for a
speech. A brief impromptu by an
other indefatiguable worker. Thomas
Kelley. a partner in the firm of NAL
oney and Kelley was wildly applaud
ed by his comrades and citizens. Mr..
Kelley stated that he took this OPP
portunity to thank the citizens OF
Gardiner for heir contributions and
support in the work which had been
carried on by the Legion.
Chairman NIaxcy then introduced
Mavor Donald S. McNaughton who
said in part:
ut is not only a pleasure but
privilege and honor to be present
here this evening in this Hall con-
secrated in the past to the Boys n
Blue the preservers of our country
that it in truth might continue to be
rot only the home of the brave but
the land of the free, and tonight at
this formal opening of your club
! rooms rc-dedicated to tho World
/. War Veterans of our City, knowing
that the object of the American Leg
! ion is to uphold and defend the Con-
stitution o; the United States. main
tain Law and Order. foster and ner-
petuate a 100 per cent Americanism,
combat autocracy. make right the
master of hight, to promo>e peace
and good will to safeguard and
transmit to posterity principles of
Justice, freedom and democracy. /
feel like one of cid that the place
where we stand is holy ground.
knowing a little of your sacrifice
| in the past that liberty might live
| and knowing that today YOU stand
| for and represent that which is best
! in our National Life it makes my
| duties doubly pleasant to welcome
, your distinguished guests here MS
| evening and as Mayor IF this City
which we all love, to congratulate
| you on the completion of the beauti-
, full club rooms which you have here
now. 1t Is q credit to Benjamin e.
| Smith Post, No. 4 that you have so
! many men who after the days work
was done should come down here
end do another days work on this
Hall; it Is to the everlasting credit
of you men that YOU should give
$1,000 worth of your time freely
without any recompense except that
which comes from the consciousness
of knowing by actual experience hat
it is more blessed to give then 1t Is
to receive. While you all have done
your best II there "a one man more
than another that deserves special
mention it is Past Commander Will
liam Maloney. Maloney and Kelley
gave freely not only of their time
but as I understand it very often
they would take their crew and
equipment with them. / know lou
all want them to lave this word of
commentator which they SO richly
deserve. In closing I want to again
extend to you my congratulations
and best wishes to such and each
member of your organization in pro-
noting these principles your order
represents"
AS a pleasing interlude Jerry Des-
mond sang I'm Lonesome That's
ALL" responding to his encore with
Sally" Chairman Maxcy then an
nounced that it was with great pleas
ure that he introduced a comrade Of
the Civil war, namely. Winfield Scott
Robinson. Mr.. Robinson began his
extremely interesting address with
the definition Of the word Citizen" as
it. was commonly used. and then con-
tinuing took as his general topic, the
American soldier. in the past and pre-
sent. The veteran reviewed what the
American fighting man had done in
past wars, and predicted that future
generations need have no fear. He
paid highest tribute to the American
woman. citing the many instances
wherein her help and inspiration had
been invaluable. He stated that the
spirit Of the pioneer fighting man had
permeated the soldier of today. Com
rade Robinson in his resume of the
various great conflicts through which
our country has passed. citing Incl ,
dents connected with the same and
stating causes and results In his
clear, convincing manner.
Comrade John Sullivan sang in his
usual delightful manner, 1.-THE Sunrise
Reminds Me Of YOU" being heartily
encored. Adjutant James Boyle of
Watervilie, introduced as Jim" was
heartily applauded as he rose to his
feet, and showed before his talk was
done that he was deserving of such
faith as the Legionnaires have placed
in him. He said that he had been in
Grand Army hall at the first meeting
of the local post there. and therefore
he could appreciate the wonderful
change that had been wrought He
expressed the wish that it were posi-
Bile for the walls of the building to
tell of the many wise deliberations
and counsels that they had heard, so
that the boys Of the post might profit
by them. The boys have done won
ders, said the speaker, and this is only
typical of what they can do. In speak,
ing of how much was owed to the
Grand Army Adjutant Boyle declared
that the previous speaker, Comrade
Robinson was typical Of these grand
old men. He stated in clear convinc-
ing language the program of the
american Legion, its aims and what
1t stood for. Service Is it's aim, SER
vice to its comrades and to its fellow
citizens. In touching on the dark
days that the Legion had faced at one
time, he said that the skies were
clearing, that the good work was now
going on. The Legion members should
take part in the community in which
they live, they should take part in
its government. for there could be no
better executives than these same
lighters. 1t cannot be a one man or
ganiZation, 1t must work together in |