he country
honored the Legion with comment. In almost every instance it was
favorable. Selection has been made of some of this comment--as much as
is feasible to give here. It is of two kinds: first, what the press
thought of the _idea_ of the Legion, and second, what opinion it had
of the Legion after it was launched at St. Louis. The first type of
comment was made prior to the caucus in this country and the second,
afterwards. Comment on both types was generally favorable.

Lest insincerity be charged let it be said here that there _was_ some
unfavorable comment. One New England paper was surprised that
soldiers, sailors and marines were not clever enough to know that the
American people would perceive their attempt, through this
organization, to "drive a six mule team through the Treasury" and get
pension and pay grabs. One Southern paper pictured Colonel Roosevelt
returning from the St. Louis caucus, a defeated candidate for the
chairmanship, with all hope of the future blasted, while one in Ohio
said with equal accuracy and solemnity that "there is no need of such
an organization at this time, now that the country is entering the era
of peace."

But here is the comment. It comes from north, east, south, and west,
and it is typical:

_New York Times_, April 10, 1919.--... It is a pleasure to know
that Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, the worthy inheritor
of a beloved American name, has called a meeting of soldiers and
sailors at St. Louis. Lieutenant Colonel Bennett Clark, son of
Mr. Champ Clark, is an associate of Lieutenant Colonel
Roosevelt, in the plan for an organization of all our soldiers
and sailors as the American Legion. These two gentlemen,
associated in a patriotic movement, indicate by their names its
common national purpose, apart from politics and partisanship.
"A nonpartisan and non-political association is to be formed,"
says Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt, "an association which will
keep alive the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy for
which these veterans fought." Justice, freedom, and democracy,
without partisanship! The idea is noble. It should prevail.

_Leavenworth_ (Kansas) _Post_, April 30, 1919.--... The
character of the men of the American Army who are promoting it
[the Legion] and the high ideals which it professes and proposes
to maintain are a guaranty that it will be a power for helpful