Spontaneous opinion, like spontaneous combustion, is dangerous when improperly handled and beneficient when rightly directed. That's what the organizers of the Legion have been and will be mostly concerned with. They have their elements--these men of the army, navy, and marine corps, and the organizers mean to direct this united and organized patriotism into such channels as will make for the welfare of the United States of America primarily, and, secondarily, for the welfare of the service men themselves. Just how much attention this Legion with four million potential members intends to pay to the United States of America, and just how much to themselves _per se_, is basicly important and pertinent as a question, nowadays when the Legion is being tried and is on the witness stand before public opinion. The answer is most clearly indicated by the preamble to the proposed constitution printed elsewhere. This preamble stresses _Americanism, individual obligation_ to the _community, state_, and _nation; battling with autocracy_ both of the _classes_ and _masses; right_ the _master_ of _might; peace_ and _good will_ on _earth; justice, freedom_, and _democracy_! Only in the last two words of the preamble is mention made of the welfare of the men themselves. These two words are _mutual helpfulness_. But be sure and understand the connection in which they are used. "... _we associate ourselves together ... to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness_." This is the way the last purpose of the preamble reads. The men who framed this constitution certainly did not believe that comradeship would be consecrated and sanctified by anything of a selfish character under the guise of mutual helpfulness. Certainly not the _comradeship_ that made bearable the zero hour in the trenches or the watch in a submarine infested sea. To go a little in advance of the story and speak practically, mutual helpfulness has meant so far voting down a pay grab from Congress; a get-together spirit to foster the growth of the Legion; a purpose to aid in the work of getting jobs for returning soldiers, and the establishment of legal departments throughout the country to help service men get back pay and allotments. Mutual helpfulness in this case would seem to make Uncle Sam as much a partner in it as are the Legion members. Because, for every job the Legion gets an unemployed man, and for every dollar Legion lawyers help collect for back pay and allotments, a better citizen is made. And better citizenship is what the Legion most wants. So here seems to be the place to make the patent observation that _mutual helpfulness_ will in future years mean just what it means to-day--doing something for the United States of America.