{"value"=>"<p>The League was established by the German-born mathematician and electrician, Charles P. Steinmetz; the chairman was Theodore H. Vail, and the vice-chairman was Samuel Gompers. Basing much of its motivation on President Wilson's words, \"speak, act and serve together\", the patriotic League, under Ralph Easley's direction, promoted national support for America's participation in the war in Europe, and advocated a policy of national unity. It also conducted a national campaign for Americanization, encouraged eligible resident aliens to become American citizens, and opposed every influence tending towards disunion. The League also publicized America's reasons for entering the war, defined its aims and peace terms, drafted a proposed loyalty plank for members of Congress, attempted to mobilize national support for America's participation in the war in Europe, and pushed for Germany's unconditional surrender.</p> <p>The files include: General correspondence, dealing with meetings, the recruitment of members, plans for organizing the Next-of-Kin Division; addresses (1918) of Wheeler P. Bloodgood, 1918, super-patriot and member of the Executive Council, Wisconsin Loyalty Legion, and his correspondence, chiefly with Ralph Easley, on the Next-of-Kin Movement, the IWW \"underground railroad\", and the United Slav Movement; and correspondence and miscellaneous papers relating to the 1918 campaign to elect a Congress committed to victory in World War I. This subseries also contains correspondence and tentative draft statement prepared by William E. Walling, secretary of the Social Democratic League of America, relating to the situation in Russia in 1918. The statement contained proposals advocating the use of the military to maintain order in Russia, and urging the Versailles Conference to pledge that a republican government and constituent assembly would be established in Russia which would challenge the Bolshevik government. Finally, the subseries contains correspondence (1918) relating to the attempt by the League to organize the different Slavic nationalities in the United states as a potential movement and military force; and correspondence (1918) of the State Councils of National Defense. The State Councils appear to have been affiliated with both the League of National Unity and the [U.S.] Council of National Defense.</p>"}