Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-08
NIGHT-L0NG RIOT
OF R0WDIES MARS
81 = -. LEGION FESTIVITIES
Continued From First page,l

Continued From First page)
laws" He declared "our lawlessness In
creases apace."
ADMIRAL Benson said, in part:
"Your duty to serve your country, to
protect its institutions and to perpetu-
ate Its freedom did not end when you
ceased to be soldiers and resumed your
role of civilians You have
nov In time of peace both obligations
and responsibilities as important and
imperative as were thase you discharged
in time Of war.
=" Were there not laxity now
among Americans in private station and
public posts, then disrespect of law, be-
trayal Of trust and every species Of
crime could not be so common and SO
immune from punishment as they are.
There are more murders In the
United States any twelve month than
there are In the four principal coun-
tries of Western Europe combined
What is worse, If possible, than this
yearly aggregate of murders Is the prac-
teal immunity Of the murderers
Many escape detection, few suffer ade-
quate punishment.
Urges States Rights.
'-There is another evil which your
organization might well help to check
concentrate power in the Federal Gov
eminent to the deprivation of those
rights and responsibilities which the
builders of this Republic vested in the
States. This evil is less obvious than
the others which confront us, but it Is
more perilous to our national security
and our democratic form Of Govern
ment.
Government for the Nation as whole
Is the sum of all our local governments.
If the parts be good. the whole will
be good.
craftsmanship, courage, sincerity. We
lack them, think, because a majority
Of the people are content without them.
There must be change in the hearts
and minds of US all. We must think
less of parties and persons and more
OF principles. In bringing about such
change of public opinion the Amer
lean Legion can and should have q
most useful part.
"" It is the opportunity Of
the thousands in your organization to
leaven the thought, to inspire the
patriotism, to foster the unselfshness
of the whole Nation. With this oppor-
tunity there goes a duty. You were
tried IN war and found not wanting.
You are needed now in peace, and /
know you will not fail"
Gourand Recalls 1917.
Gen. Gourand brought the greetings
of Marshal Petain, whose duties, he
explained, had prevented him from be-
ing present. He added, And had 1t
been Gods will, I should have brought
to you the same sentiments from your
great friend, Marshal Foch."
The romantic figure, an empty sleeve
hanging by his side-his badge OF sacri-
flce-told of the valor of Americans who
joined the French Army before their
own country entered the war.
Speaking of disarmament, he cited
recent DEVELOPMENTS in some countries
which perturb the friends of peace"
and said that political developments
seemed to indicate that the moral dis
armament is not yet sufficiently strong
to permit at once the realization OF ma
terial disarmament.
In closing, the general appeared for
a continuance of the strong bonds of
friendship now existing between the
United states and France, saying, LET
us repeat, comrades, the promise of the
children of Belleau, and may we keep
In our hearts the pure friendship OF
the hattlefields."