The Wrangell Sentinel

WHAT THE LEGION STANDS FOR
(Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

The new national commander of the American Legion is leaving the country in no doubt as to the purposes of the great organization of former service men, and it is apparent, from his patriotic and clarifying talks, that the members have made no mistake in their choice of leadership. The Legion, while standing upon the one broad platform of patriotic Americanism, has been subjected to criticism of motives and interpretations of purpose that are far from just or accurate. Commander D'Olier has been smoothing out these wrinkles. He explains that the Legion holds no menace for any class of citizens, being made up, itself, of all classes. It is centralizing its efforts along certain definite lines. It is interested in getting jobs for returned veterans, and taking care of the disabled men through occupational direction. It is vitally interested in the doctrine of military preparedness for the United States, and it is determined to make America 100 per cent American, and the years to come. It intends to sustain law and order, and it will oppose any change in the government of the United States by violence.

The Legion has assumed a fine, patriotic duty in its determination to work for the education of the immigrants and alien residents in the principles of Americanism. It intends to inculcate among these the basic American principle that the interests of all the people are above those of any special class or section of the people. And finally, the commander of the Legion announces that the purpose of his organization is to deal with the existing unrest and its causes in a common sense and patriotic manner.

"Give the people all the facts in the case," says D'Olier. "Educate those who do not know what America really and fearlessly stands for—and then common sense, just American common sense, will work out the problem of our salvation."

Propaganda encouraging unrest has had little organized opposition in the past, and it has been allowed to continue, practically unopposed, to the detriment of the whole nation. It is high time the other side of the question was presented to those who need it most, and in the performance of this duty the American Legion will render a national service no less important than the service the members conferred upon the country as soldiers and sailors in the line of duty.