Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-05
Hon. Frank G. Harrington
Gives Splendid Address AT
Monday Evening Meeting Of
James Fitzgerald Post
Newspaper Correspondent
Talks On France of Today

Declaring that the preamble to the
constitution Of the American Legion
should have it's place with the immor-
tai address of Lincoln delivered at
Gettysburg, and with other great
pieces of prose, Hon. Frank g. Far
rington, speaking to q large assem-.
blage of members of the James Fitz-
gerald Post, American Legion. Monday
evening, gave a brilliant address on
the Principles Of the Legion" as con-
tanned in that declaration.
This beautiful bit Of composition
was called to my attention some time
ago." said Mr.. Harrington, "and since
that time a copy has always been In
the drawer of my desk, and frequently
I read it and consider its meaning and
portent.
80 long as you veterans Of the
World War, who have offered your very
lives, If need be. to preserve and de.
fend your flag and your country, live
the principles of that preamble, there
need be no fear of Americas security
and position amongst the nations OF
the world"
The speaker interpreted each phrase
and sentence of his text. and at the
conclusion Of his remarksA he was &C
corded perfect ovation by his en-
thusiastic hearers. The preamble to
the constitution of the American Le-
gion which the speaker read and devei-
oped his address upon last evening Is
as follows:
"For God and country, we associate
ourselves together for the Following
purposes: To uphold and defend the
constitution of the United States or
America: to maintain law and order;
to foster and perpetuate one hundred
percent Americanisnf: to preserve the
memories and incidents Of our assoc
citation in the Great War: to inculcate
sense of individual obligation to the
community, state and nation; to COM
bat the autocracy of both teh classes
and the masses; to make right the
master Of might: to promote peace ana
good will on earth: to safeguard ana
transmit to posterity the principles OF
Justice, freedom and democracy; to
consecrate and sanctify our comrade-
ship by our devotion to mutual help-
fulness."
Tells Of France Of Today
Frederic Mason. news correspondent
was also a special guest at the meet
ing last evening and proved himself a
most interesting raconteur when ne
smoke informally VI HIS NAP ~ i@N-
the mast summer. during which ne VS.
tied the battlefieIds of France and Bel
gium. familiar to many In his au-
dience on another day and under far
different conditions, eight years ago.
"The World war soldiers would
hardly recognize the battlefields to-
day." said Mr.. Mason. Seven years
have made great changes. Vegeta'
ton has grown so rapidly that the
trench lines have almost entirely
disappeared. All the debris has
been cleared away and in the seven
wears order has taken the place OF
chaos. Here and there you find q
dug-out that has been left. and, In
a few of these. some soldiers are
still making a habitation. ekeing out
a living from tips from tourists.
"As equally surprised would be
| the soldiers to see to what extent
the French towns and villages ad.
! jacent to the battlefields have been
restored. When he recall that al
! most one-fifth Of France was devas.
| tated by the war, 1t certainly is sur
prising that practically all of 1t has
been restored in the six years that
have elapsed. 1t was a stupendous
task, but France has accomplished
| the feat.
"It meant something to restore
| torn France. 1t meant the re-erec-
ton of a million homes, about $4,000
factories. 5000 bridges, miles and
miles of railroads and canals, and
the remaking, SO to speak, of $780,
600 acres of agricultural land (al-
most equal to the whole forestry dis
trict of Maine), land upon which
5.WO,OOO people were living when
the war broke out"
Following the addresses by Mr..
Harrington and Mr.. Mason an ad-
journment was taken, while refresh
ments were served by the post chef
and his corps of assistants. Then
followed most enjoyable social
smoker. during which musical Sc
lections were rendered by Edward
Reny, Kenneth Haskell and Stanley
Haskell, and clever dialogue was
presented by Lester M. Hart and
Charles Bresette.