Part 11 (1/2)

Attention is drawn specifically to that sentence, because it affords an excellent opportunity to explain the difference between politics and policies. The Legion has policies but it is not political. One prime policy is the demand for one hundred per cent. Americanism.

Whoever or whatever cannot read that mark, be it Chicago's mayor or the Seattle Soldier's Council, the Legion's caution is ”measure up.”

The Legion, _as the Legion_ will not go into munic.i.p.al politics in Chicago but the members of the various posts in that city like all other Legion members stand for one hundred per cent, simon-pure patriotism and regardless of party, he who does not ”measure up” had best beware. The Legion, as the Legion, never will endorse a political party or a party's candidate for office. But it will have platforms, it will have tenets, it will have principles. These platforms, tenets, and principles will be seen, felt, heard, and heeded by the voters of the United States. Furthermore, these platforms, tenets, and principles will be supported regardless of political party, political affiliations, or partisan sponsors.h.i.+p.

CHAPTER IX

OBJECTORS--CONSCIENTIOUS AND OTHERWISE

The first of the committee reports of the morning was that of the Publication Committee. This report is perhaps not so interesting a doc.u.ment now as it may be in later years, when, with a circulation of millions weekly, the official organ will be a tremendous power for Americanism throughout the country, spreading in every home, in every vale and hamlet the same dragnet of Americanism as the draft law did, having in its tentacles the same power for culture, breadth of experience, and abolition of sectionalism.

In view of this, the report possesses tremendous potentialities. Here it is:

”The Committee on Publication recommends that this caucus of the American Legion inaugurate a national publication which shall be the Legion's exponent of Americanism; that this, the sole and only publication of the American Legion, be owned and directed by the Legion for and in the interest of all Americans; that the Publication Committee be continued that it may proceed as organized with the details of founding this publication, with the advice and under the control of the Executive Committee of the American Legion which shall add such specially qualified members to the Publication Committee as it may see fit; that this publication shall be a National, nonpartisan, non-sectional organ for the service of the American people, a champion of Americanism which means independence, security, health, education, greater contentment, and progress for every patriot, to be the torch, the beacon light thrown into our hands by the Americans who fell, and held as a unique and living monument to that other legion which did not come back.

”(Signed) G.P. PUTNAM, _Chairman._ ”CHARLES D. KELLEY, _Secretary_.”

As an aside it may be interesting to say that there were at least half a dozen publishers, some with veteran journals already started, in St.

Louis with the most alluring offers. Each wanted to have his publication designated as the official organ. Several other propositions were made, one syndicate offering to publish the magazine, bear the entire expense, give the Legion fifty per cent. of the stock, and allow it to control the editorial policy. All the syndicate wanted was the official endors.e.m.e.nt. From other quarters came the word that a million dollars would be forthcoming, if such a large amount was necessary, in order to start the publication, but those who would furnish it wanted some return, naturally. However the Publication Committee felt, as set forth in the resolutions, that the magazine must be entirely owned and solely controlled by the Legion.

If it was worth a million dollars to anybody else, it certainly was worth conserving in every possible way for the Legion.

Again I am going to let the minutes take up the story. Some of the details which they give in the next few pages are ill.u.s.trative of the interest and care which the caucus took when it came to important matters.

SECRETARY WOOD: ”The Committee on Resolutions begs to submit the following report:

”'GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND CREED--Recognizing the supreme obligation of the citizens to maintain our national honor and integrity, and being resolved that the fruits of the Great War shall not die, we who partic.i.p.ated in the war in order that the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy may more completely direct and influence the daily lives of America's manhood, do announce our adherence to the following principles and purposes:

”'(a) To inculcate the duties and obligations of citizens.h.i.+p.

”'(b) To preserve the history and incidents of our partic.i.p.ation in this war.

”'(c) To cement the ties of comrades.h.i.+p formed in service.

”'(d) To promote, a.s.sist, and protect the general welfare of all soldiers, sailors, and marines and those dependent upon them.

”'(e) To encourage the maintenance of individual and national efficiency to the end that the nation shall never fail in its obligations.

”'(f) To maintain the principle that undivided and uncompromising support of the const.i.tution of the United States is the true test of loyalty.'” (Applause.)

THE CHAIRMAN: ”Do you desire to pa.s.s on that as read, gentlemen, or by paragraphs?”

MR. JOHNSON (Rhode Island): ”I move it be adopted as a whole.”

Seconded by Mr. Black of New York.

COL. HERBERT (Ma.s.s.): ”I would like to ask for information: if there aren't more eligible to members.h.i.+p in the American Legion than are cited--soldiers, sailors, and marines?”

THE CHAIRMAN: ”The committee understands that covers everything. The direct eligibility comes up later.”