(19) As the units of the A. E. F. began to return to America and the service men went to their homes throughout the country, they brought with them the story of the veterans' organization which had been brought into being at Paris. While comparatively few knew a great deal about this association that was to include both the overseas and the home soldiers and sailors, the idea that there should be one big organization of this kind took root and both the Press and all fair-minded citizens took to it very kindly. However, conditions at home were somewhat different from those in France. Here there was competition, for a number of organizations were already in the process of formation and other older organizations were busy trying to enroll world war veterans in their posts. Some of these societies meant well enough and desired to be representative of a certain part of the great body of service men and women; others were fostered merely by individuals or a group who thought they saw a splendid opportunity to promote their political ambitions and put over a program that was more or less selfish. One of these organizations was for buck privates only, another appealed to officers, while another extended its membership to men of all wars who had set foot on foreign soil. Still another, thinking to throw a great political party into the field, (20) allowed membership to every man or woman who had engaged in any sort of war work whatsoever besides forming numerous auxiliaries that were to include organized labor, farmers, merchants, and practically all citizens of the country!

     Fortunately, Colonel Roosevelt returned to America before any of these organizations had made much progress or had enrolled an appreciable number of members. Young "Teddy", with the energy and enthusiasm so characteristic of his famous father, immediately began to advertise and acquaint the country at large with this greater organization which proposed to enroll all veterans of the world war who were actually in the army, navy or marine corps and had served honorably, regardless of rank or branch of service. The Press throughout the country, knowing the Roosevelt reputation for fairness and honesty, gave him considerable publicity and many friendly editorial boosts. The American people had expected to see a great world war veterans' organization established at the close of the hostilities, and this movement interested them . They knew what a great part the Grand Army of the Republic had played in American history during the past half century, and they were anxious to see another organization with similar high ideals and worthy purposes take its place to carry on. The American Legion appealed to them more than any other organization that had solicited their support because it was liberal in its views and promised to serve the country in peace as its members had (21) served in war. Consequently, American citizens with vision and keen interest in public affairs, got behind the Legion almost to a man. They gave the Legion tremendous prestige and in a great measure made it possible for the organization to jump to the lead. Of course, there were those who were certain that Roosevelt had selfish motives and that he was using the organization as a political stepping stone and would ask to be the first commander of the Legion. But these criticisms did not go far . There were too many men who knew the brilliant war record of this young soldier and had abundant faith in his intentions.

     Thus the men who had served at home were acquainted with the American Legion and arrangements were completed for the second big caucus. It was decided to hold this meeting at St. Louis which was centrally located and would be more accessible to representatives from all parts of the United States. The date was set for May 8, 9 and 10, 1919. The country was divided into districts and an attempt was made to get a committee in each of these districts. It was a difficult undertaking to interest men in every part of the country; most service men were just out of the uniform and getting back into the harness to begin on the old job, if they were lucky enough to find it awaiting them. Nor was it easy to get the right type of committeemen. Too many politicians and ambitious self-seekers were awaiting for the opportunity to jump in and gain control of the organization.

     (22) After much hard work, and just prior to the St. Louis meeting, the final list of representatives was announced. Many of those selected did not accept or were unable to take up the duties incident to the position, but for the most part these men realized that a truly great honor had been given them and that they would help shape an organization that would live. Those representatives selected to represent Nebraska veterans are as follows:

     The duty of these men was to promote the organization in their state, get a delegation equal to twice the number of their congressional delegation to attend the St. Louis caucus, and to carry on the preliminary work as directed by the national organization.

      In order that the proper arrangements might be made to hold a successful and orderly meeting, an advance delegation, consisting of two members from each state, was requested to go to St. Louis on May 6 and attend to the many details incident to a big meeting. This delegation encountered many wild stories. Some had it that the American Legion was controlled by the General Staff of the War Department and that the coming caucus was a "cut-and-dried" affair. Others were equally sure that one of the old political parties was back of the movement and that it was purely (23) a snare to catch the so-called soldier vote. These stories, like army rumors, went the rounds and soon reached the ears of the arriving delegations from the various states. Many of the delegates became a little suspicious and determined to go on the floor of the caucus and make a bitter fight to see that these things did not happen. Many of them had overlooked the fact that the St. Louis meeting was merely a caucus representing only half of the organization, and that the policies of the society could not be definitely agreed upon until a big convention made up of representatives from the entire body had assembled.

     After a somewhat stormy session, the advance delegation finally agreed upon the details of the meeting and arranged the program. Each member was convinced that there was no "frame up" of any kind; that the committee had been called simply to get some sort of an organization under way. Perhaps Roosevelt expressed the purpose of the meeting better than anyone else when he said:

     "The idea underlying the formation of the American Legion is the feeling among the great mass of the men who served in the forces of this country during the war, that the impulse of patriotism which prompted their efforts and sacrifices should be so preserved that it might become a strong force in the future for true Americanism and better citizenship. We will be facing troublous times in the coming years, and, to my mind, no greater safeguard could be devised than those (24) soldiers, sailors and marines formed in their own association, in such manner that they could make themselves felt for law and order, decent living and thinking, and truer `nationalism'."

     The caucus opened in the afternoon of May 8, at the Shubert-Jefferson Theater. Many hours prior to the sounding of the gavel, excitement ran high. These young men, fresh from their service in the greatest adventure of a lifetime, entered into the meeting with an unbounded enthusiasm, a spirit of earnestness and straight thinking that was an innovation in American conventions. Everybody had expected to see a typical political convention, perhaps one not so exciting. To the contrary, they saw a meeting that was intensely interesting, filled with moments of lusty cheering and pandemonium, then suddenly so quiet that one could hear a pin drop to the floor. This was the first demonstration of that American Legion spirit which has since come to be a part of its national conventions.

     When Colonel Roosevelt, as temporary chairman, took the platform, a great ovation was given the distinguished young soldier. Hardly had he succeeded in getting order than the floor was thrown open for nominations for permanent chairman of the caucus. Roosevelt was nominated, and, after another noisy demonstration, immediately withdrew his name. But the delegates would not listen to him and for several minutes the hall resounded with, "We want Teddy! We want Teddy!" 

     (25) "I want to withdraw my name for a number of reasons," Roosevelt explained as soon as he could make himself heard. "The first reason is," he continued, "that I want the country at large to get the correct impression of this meeting. I want every man through the length and breadth of this land to realize that there isn't a man in this convention who is seeking anything for himself personally; that all of us are working simply for the good of the country."

     As soon as it became evident that Roosevelt could not be persuaded to become chairman of the meeting, Colonel Henry D. Lindsley, a prominent Democrat of Texas and at that time the head of the Bureau of War Risk Insurance, and Sergeant Jack Sullivan, a prominent veteran from the Pacific coast, were nominated. The latter withdrew and Lindsley was elected unanimously. Sullivan was then elected Vice Chairman, along with others representing the navy and marine corps, and Eric Fisher Wood was selected as Secretary.

     A great deal of important work was accomplished at St. Louis; in fact, the caucus here carried out many of the plans formulated at Paris. It joined hands with that body in preparing for a great convention to be held at Minneapolis on November 10, 11 and 12, 1919, at which delegates from both the A. E. F. and the men who served in America would come together for the first time.

     Paramont in the deliberations which took up the better part of three days was the stand taken on "Americanism"--a part of American Legion (26) doctrine that has ever since been foremost in its activities. The meeting also voiced frank disapproval of the method of handling the conscientious objectors, as carried out by the War Department, and condemned those individuals and organizations which were attempting, especially in the northwest, to overthrow civil government and introduce radical departures from our national constitution.

     Perhaps the most interesting action taken--at least the most interesting to the country at large--was the definition of the creed and explanation of the general purpose of the organization, setting forth just what part it would take in the political life of the nation. Here is a part of the report of the Committee on Resolutions, which voiced the ideas along this line:

     "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 participated in the war in order that the principles of justice, freedom and democracy may more completely influence the daily lives of America's manhood, do announce our adherence to the following principles and purposes:

     At this time soldiers and sailors were just returning from France and many, owing to the unsettled conditions of industry at the end of the war, had not been able to get employment. Also many men had never received all of their pay or liberty bonds. Others were still entitled to travel pay, allotment payments and insurance premiums. Hundreds of men, wounded or incapacitated by sickness during their tour of duty, were without Federal aid or hospitalization. Therefore the delegates at this caucus determined that one of the foremost activities of the new veteran organization must be to help these men--to be of SERVICE to service men. Machinery was provided by the caucus so that immediate help would be forthcoming for these men, and a great, nation-wide campaign was planned.

     It was felt by many that in order to establish local Legion units throughout the country, it would be necessary for the national officers to (28) have a publication of some kind. Many attractive offers were received from publishers in different parts of the country, but it was finally decided that the American Legion should have a magazine of its own. Thus was born "The American Legion Weekly".

     Lastly, the caucus adopted a temporary constitution which defined eligibility for membership in the organization, and authorized the chartering of local posts which were to be named only in honor of the dead. In short, this caucus completed the temporary organization that was begun in France and opened the way for a new organization, composed of all world war veterans--The American Legion.

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