CR in .Us up Hie History and Significance of the American Flag m^m* Class _£Ud_H3_ Book 145 . Copyright^ . qil COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT! "Our flag carries American ideas, American history, and American feelings. It is not a painted rag. It is a whole national history. It is the constitution. It is the government. It is the free people that stand in the govern- ment on the constitution. Forget not what it means ; and for the sake of its ideas, be true to your country's flag." — Henry Ward Beecher. ******** ******** * * * * * * * * ******** ******** ******** The History and Significance OF THE American Flag BY EMILY KATHARINE IDE It Revised E. K, IDE 65 Rutland Street Boston, Mass. h/7 Copyright, 1917 By EMILY KATHARINE IDE / JUN 18 1317 UNTIN'GTOX ART PRESS CAMBRIDGE, MASS. ©CI.A462997 Jo PREFACE The object of revising "The History and Significance of the American Flag" is for the purpose of adding a few in- teresting flag narratives and also more tributes, flag quo tations, etc., etc. The aim of this book is to tell the story of the Ameri- can flag in a simple, concise manner for young and old. It is written at a time " when the flag of the United States has a deeper significance than ever before in the world's history, when it is the hope of civilization." The origin, development, history and significance of it are set forth in this book. Among the hundreds of vol- umes that have been searched for many of the facts, and to which due credit must be given, are "The Army and Navy of the United States from the period of the Revolution to 1896 by William Walton, (with the official approval of the War, Navy, and State Departments) : copies of Journals of the Continental Congress from 1774-1789; copies of Offi- cial Letters of George Washington to the Honorable Ameri- can Congress during the Revolutionary War; copies of Public Documents of the early Congress 1789-1793 ; Cor- respondence of the American Revolution by Sparks ; copies of Revolutionary Orders of Washington issued during the years 1778, '80, '81, '82; Regimental Colors in the War of the Revolution, by Gherardi Davis, Life of Paul Jones, by Mackenzie; Siege of Boston by Frothingham; copy of Wash- ington's Diary; American Archives; Correspondence with Paul Jones, by Sands : Histories of the Flag by Hamilton, (7) 8 Preface Preble, Horner, Harrison, Canby, and others; Army and Navy Regulations ; Hulme's Flags of the World ; Histories of the United States by Lossing, Avery, and Bancroft. Reprint of Washington's original letters to his secretary Joseph Reed. Lossing's Pictorial Field book of the Revolu- tion, etc., etc. That the research work in connection with the subject of our flag presents serious difficulties is an acknowledged fact by all who have undertaken it and it is to be regretted that the archives of our national government are so widely scattered and so inaccessible that they can now be of little assistance in investigating this subject. Conjecture has too often been substituted for facts; it is conceded, however, by the best authorities that Admiral George Preble has set forth most of the known facts, nearly all of which have been traced to their source and verified. The author takes much pleasure in acknowledging her gratitude to those government officials who have kindly assisted her, and also to Mr. Wilfred A. Wetherbee, Past Commander, Massachusetts Department G. A. R. and Mr. Myron Prichard, Principal of the Everett school, and one of the most intelligent writers and critics. CONTENTS Origin 13 Development 14 The First Banners Planted upon the Shores of the New World 14 The Crosses of Saint George and Saint Andrew 17 The King's Colors 17 The Meteor Flag 17 Flags of other Nations on our Shores 18 Early Colonial Flags 21 The Bedford Flag that waved at Concord April 19, 1775 22 The Grand Union Flag 23 History 24 The Betsey Ross Flag 24 First Use in Battle of the Stars and Stripes 25 The Flag of Fifteen Stars 26 The Flags of Twenty Stars and Forty-Eight Stars 26 Significance 27 Miscellaneous Flag Facts 33 The Seven Victorious Wars in which the Flag has been Displayed.... 33 First Carried Officially by the Army 33 First Carried Officially, by troops in battle 33 Where and When First Displayed 34 Dates of Admission of the States to the Union 35 Definitions of Parts of Flag 36 Origin of the name Jacque, in Connection with the English Flag 36 Dimensions of the National Flag 36 The Garrison and Standard Flags, when used 36 Famous Flags 40 Flag Narratives 47 Patriotic Flag Quotations 52 Flag Tributes, in Prose 56 Flag Tributes, in Poetry 67 Life of Rev. S. F. Smith, D.D 77 America 77 Life of Francis Scott Key 79 "The Star-Spangled Banner" 80 Etiquette of the Flag 82 Concerning Flags 89 Flag Day Exercises 91 (9) ILLUSTRATIONS Flag of 1912, colored plate Frontispiece Early Flags of America. Plate 1 15 Bedford Flag used at Concord, 1775 22 Grand Union Flag, 1776. Plate II 29 Betsy Ross Flag, 1777. Plate III 30 Flag of Fifteen Stars and Fifteen Stripes, 1795. Plate IV 31 Flag of Twenty Stars and Thirteen Stripes, 1818. Plate V 32 The Famous Star Spangled Banner 45 (ID The American Flag ORIGIN From the most distant eras, symbols and colors ena- bling nations to distinguish themselves from each other, have exercised a powerful influence over mankind. One of the earliest military ensigns was a colored banner and when tribes and nations increased in number these banners became parti-colored by stripes and other linear divisions. Then the devices of the several chieftains appeared inscribed upon them. Thus these symbols which seemed in times of peace but trivial ornaments, disturbed the world in political or religious uprisings. History has failed perhaps to realize that these symbols have often led armies on to victory with more certainty than tactics. The Stars and Stripes is the symbol of the National flag of the United States. The official origin is unknown It has often been suggested that it originated in Washing- ton's coat-of-arms, also that the idea of the stripes was taken from the standard of the Philadelphia Troop of Light Horse or Markoe banner which was composed of thirteen, alternate blue and silver ones and was the first known in- stance of the American use of stripes. Whatever the origin of our flag may have been the sentiment is appropriately expressed in the following quo- tation credited by many historians to Washington, "We take the star from Heaven, the red from our Mother Country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing Liberty." (13) 14 The American Flag DEVELOPMENT The first banners planted upon the shores of the New World, of which there is any account, were those displayed by Columbus in 1492, when he landed upon the Island of San Salvador. They are thus described by his son, — "Columbus, dressed in scarlet, stepped on shore from the little boat which bore him from his vessels, bearing the royal standard of Spain emblazoned with the arms of Cas- tile and Leon., in his own hand, followed by the Pinzons in their own boats, each bearing the banner of the expedition, viz r a white flag with a green cross, having on each side the letters F and Y surmounted by golden crowns." The latter was the personal banner of Columbus. The "royal standard " was composed of four sections, two with yellow castles upon red and two with red rampant lions upon white ground. When Columbus in 1498 reached the Continent he planted the Spanish banners at the mouth of the Oronoco. In 1497 John Cabot, a Venetian, unfurled in North America, probably at Labrador, the first English flag. Cabot and his three sons sailed from Bristol with letters patent from Henry VII of England, "to set up the royal banners and ensigns in the countries, places, or mainland newly found by them, and to conquer, occupy and possess them, as his vassals and Lieutenants. " Lorenzo Pasqualigo, under date " London 23 August 1497 " writes to his brothers in Venice that "Cabot planted in his new found land a large cross with a flag of England and another of St. Mark, by reason of his being a Venetian, so that our banner has floated very far afield." The royal ensign of Henry VII used by Cabot was the cross of St. George, which is a white flag with a St. Andrew's Cross The Meteor or Union Flag PLATE I The American Flag 17 rectangular red cross extending its entire length and breadth. Upon the Accession in 1603, of James I, formerly James VI of Scotland, England and Scotland were united, and in 1606, King James I united the red cross of St. George with the diagonal white cross of St. Andrew on a blue field. This was called the " KING'S COLORS." It was required to be displayed from the maintops of all British vessels. Those, however, of South Britain, (England) were to carry the Cross of St. George, and those of North Britain (Scot- land) the St. Andrews Cross at their foretops, in order to designate which part of the United Kingdom they came from. Most historians agree that the Cross of St. George was flown from the Mayflower in 1620, that being the common sea ensign of English ships at that period. She may also have displayed the " KING'S COLORS" as re- quired by the Proclamation of 1606. (See plate I). After the beheading of King Charles I in 1649, England and Scotland separated, and the Cross of St. George, in 1651, again became the national standard of England and continued to be the leading ensign in the American colonies until 1707 when, under the reign of Queen Anne, the King- dom of Great Britain, by the union of England, Scotland and Wales, was established, and Great Britain then adopted for herself and her colonies a crimson banner with the crosses of St. George and St. Andrews conjoined in the up- per left corner or canton, (of blue). This was known as the "METEOR FLAG" of England, also a Union flag, as it represented the union of England and Scotland. (See plate I). It was used by the American Colonies in con- nection with other devices until their rupture with Great Britain. The present ensign of Great Britain was never 18 The American Flag used by the American Colonies as it was not formed until 1801. Flags of other nations have visited our shores. May 10, 1534, Jacques Cartier brought the colors of France to this country, and in 1535, upon a second voyage, he set up a cross and the arms of France near the present city of Quebec. The flag of the French at that time was probably blue, with three golden fleur de lis. Later, the flag of the Huguenot Party in France was white. It is most probable that the Bourbon Flag was used during the greater part of the occupancy of the French in the region extending southwest from the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi, known as New France. In 1609, Henry Hudson brought the ship " Half Moon" into New York harbor, displaying the flag of the Dutch East India Co. which was that of the Dutch Republic — three equal horizontal stripes, orange, white and blue, with the letters V. O. C. A. (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, Amsterdam,) meaning, United East-Indian Company, Ams- terdam, in the centre of the white stripe. When the Dutch West India Co. came into control in 1621, the letters G. W. C. (Geoctrogeerde West-Indische Compagnie,) mean- ing Chartered West-Indian Company, were substituted, with the change later of the orange stripe to a red one. The Dutch flag was in use until 1664 when it was suc- ceeded by the English flag, save for the temporary Dutch resumption 1673-74. In 1638 some Finnish and Swedish colonists settled on the banks of the Delaware River and called it New Sweden, under the Swedish national flag, a yellow cross on a blue ground. In 1655, this settlement was overpowered by the Dutch. The American Flag 19 The thirteen original colonies were composed mostly of the English and their flags took the form of the English national standard in its successive periods. The Cross of St. George, according to the records was used in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1634, if not be- fore. Mention is also made that in that year complaint was made "that the ensign at Salem had been defaced by Mr. Endicott cutting out one part of the red cross.' ' Roger Williams was the cause of the agitation. "The case was construed into one of rebellion to England on the complaint of Mr. Richard Brown, ruling elder of the church at Water- town, before the Court of Assistance. The Court issued an attachment against Ensign Richard Davenport, then the ensign bearer of Salem, whose colors had been mutilated, to appear at the next Court which was not held until a year after his flag was so mutilated. It was then shown that the mutilation was done, not from disloyalty to the flag, but from a conscientious conviction that it was idol- atrous to allow it to remain." Endicott was found guilty of a great offence, having committed "by his soul authority an act giving occasion to the Court of England to think ill of them." For this indescretion, he was not allowed to hold any public office for one year. Two months later the provincial authorities again dis- cussed the lawful use of the cross in the ensign and opinions on the subject being divided, the matter was deferred until another meeting in March when Mr. Endicott's opinion was asked. At this meeting, no better decision could be arrived at, and the subject was referred to the next General Court, orders being given by the Commissioners for Military Af- fairs that in the meantime all ensigns should be laid aside. In the interim, letters were sent to England reporting 20 The American Flag these discussions, and suggesting another ensign. This was disapproved of, and resulted, December 1635, in the Mili- tary Commissioners appointing' 'colors for every company, " leaving out the cross in all, and requesting that the King's Arms should be put into them, and in the colors of Castle Island. It was customary for all ships in passing the fort at Castle Island in Boston Harbor, to observe certain regu- lations. After these occurrences, much misunderstanding and dissension arose, however, between the authorities and captains of ships from England, and the former, fearing re- ports might be carried to the Mother Country that they had rebelled, asked advice of the captains of the ten remain- ing ships then in the harbor. They recommended the use in the fort at Castle Island, of the " KING'S COLORS" and it was finally concluded by the authorities that although they were of the decided opinion that the cross in the en- sign was idolatrous and, consequently out of place, con- sidering the fort was the King's and defended in his name, his colors might be used there, but the flag bearing the King's Arms continued in use elsewhere in the colony until the Commonwealth of England was established. In 1643 the Colonies of Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut and New Haven formed the Confederacy and were styled The United Colonies of New England. No men- tion, however, is made of the use of any common flag until 1686 when Governor Andros received one from the King which was the Cross of St. George with a Gilt Crown em- blazoned on the centre of the cross, with the monogram of King James II underneath. In 1707 the colonists evinced a growing feeling of in- dependence and began to depart from the authorized The American Flag 21 £> English standards. There is mention in 1704 of the Pine Tree Flag used in New England. It is described in one form as a red flag with a white canton quartered with the red Cross of St. George having a green pine tree in the upper left quarter. Occasionally the fly was blue. Another form of the Pine Tree Flag, and the one officially adopted by the Massachusetts Council in 1776, is represented as having a white field with the Pine Tree in the centre, and above it the words, "An Appeal to Heaven." During the Colonial and early Revolutionary days, the Rattlesnake Flag, in various devices, rivaled in popularity the Pine Tree Flag. One form was of red and blue stripes with the snake stretching diagonally across it, and the motto, either at the top or bottom, "Don't tread on me." South Carolina adopted the form of the yellow flag with the snake coiled in the middle about to strike, and the motto underneath "Don't tread on me." At Taunton, Mass., in 1774, two years before the Declaration of Independence, a Union Flag was unfurled, on which was the inscription "Liberty and Union." As this was the regular English Union Flag of 1707, it signi- fied that there was no thought at that time of separation from the Mother Country, but simply for Liberty of Action. According to Col. William Moultrie the earliest flag displayed in the South was in 1775. It was blue with a white crescent in the upper left corner. In 1776, the word "Liberty" in white letters was emblazoned upon it. The flag of Rhode Island was -white, having a blue anchor with the word "Hope" above it, and a blue canton with 13 white stars. New York's flag was a white flag with a black beaver in the centre. Connecticut troops carried dif- ferent banners of solid colors, having on one side the motto 22 The American Flag of Connecticut "Qui transulit sustinet," meaning "He who transplanted us hither will support us," and on the other, the recognized motto of Massachusetts "An Appeal to Heaven." The flag which is considered by many to far exceed all others in historic value, in fact, "the most precious me- morial of its kind of which we have any knowledge," is the one that waved over the "embattled farmers" at Concord, April 19, 1775. This ancient standard can be seen toda}- in the Public Library of Bedford, Massachusetts, where it is encased between two glass plates and se- cured in the fire-proof town vault. The ground is maroon color satin damask, emblazoned with an out- stretched arm, silver colored, the hand of which grasps an uplifted sword. Three circular fig- ures, also silver colored, are supposed to represent cannon balls. Upon a gold colored scroll, is the motto, " Vince aut Moriture," meaning "Conquer or Die." The size of this flag is about one foot and six inches by two feet. The origin of the flag is not known. Many historians think that it was made in England in 1660-70 and give the best of reasons for believing so, but it is not accurate history. Concord, Apkil 19, 1775 The American Flag 23 THE GRAND UNION FLAG The Grand Union flag raised at Cambridge was the first to represent the thirteen united colonies. It was composed of thirteen alternate red and white stripes and the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew conjoined in a blue canton. In 1775 the Colonial Congress appointed Messrs. Franklin, Lynch and Harrison a committee to confer with Gen. George Washington, then in camp at Cambridge, Mass., for the pur- pose of organizing and maintaining an army. As the Grand Union flag was hoisted over Gen. George Washington's head- quarters at Cambridge, shortly after the return to Phila- delphia, of this committee, it has been assumed, by many historians, that they designed it and concluded that it must represent our loyalty to Great Britian, and our united suit and demand for our rights as British subjects. The flag was flung to the breeze with appropriate ceremonies by Gen. George Washington, Jan. 1 or 2, 1776, in the presence of his army, and the citizens. (See plate II). The British officers from Charlestown Heights, watched the proceedings through their field glasses and seeing that the canton of the flag represented the Union Flag of Eng- land they immediately concluded that Washington was an- nouncing his surrender and the flag was greeted with thirteen cheers and thirteen gun salutes. This act was really its official recognition, although unintentional. The design of this Continental flag was not original. It was a familiar sight to the colonists as early as 1704 to see ships of the English East India Co. displaying flags with thirteen red and white stripes, with the Cross of St. George in the Canton. In the early part of the Revolution, 24 The American Flag American vessels displayed a flag composed of thirteen hori- zontal alternate red and white stripes alone, which was an exact copy of a signal used in the British fleet. (See plate II). HISTORY June 14, 1777 is the date that marks the beginning of the authentic history of our flag and when the American Congress adopted the following resolution: — "Resolved — that the flag of the thirteen united states be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." John Adams is credited with being the one who stood up in the Continental Congress that memorable day and called for the adoption of this Resolution, but there is no record of it — all we can judge is that the American Con- gress considered deficient the flag which Washington raised at Cambridge, in 1776. The Declaration of Independence had been made and a flag to harmonize with the growing spirit in America was now needed. The story runs, though not accurate history, that at this time a committee of Con- gress, consisting of George Washington, Robert Morris and Colonel George Ross, in May or June, 1776, called upon Mrs. Betsy Ross, a widow, at her upholstery shop, 239 Arch St., Philadelphia, and inquired if she could make a flag. She replied that she would try. Accordingly a design was presented to her of thirteen stripes and thirteen stars — the latter were six-pointed, and as a five-pointed one was easier to make, which Mrs. Ross demonstrated by folding a piece of paper and cutting out with one clip of her scissors, it was suggested that this be used instead. This account comes from Mr. Wm. Canby, grandson of Mrs. Ross, who The American Flag 25 in 1870 read a paper before the Historical Society of Penn- sylvania, giving the details of the flagmaking as told by his grandmother. The story has been assailed, owing to the fact that the design of the flag was not promulgated until September 3, 1777. (See plate III). The design of this first flag represented the stars in a circle, and Washington has been credited with saying that this arrangement was to represent equality of the states. It was afterwards changed, however, to three horizontal lines of four, five and four stars. The evidence is quite con- clusive, in spite of others claiming the honor, that the first displaying of the flag in battle occurred in New York, on the site of the present city of Rome, when the British and Indian forces began the siege of Fort Schuyler, formerly Fort Stanwix. The garrison was composed of about 500 men under command of Colonel Peter Ganesvoort, Jr. He was reinforced by about 200 men of the Ninth Massachu- setts Regiment led by Lieut. Col. Mellon, who brought the news of the recently enacted flag statute. As the garrison was without a flag, the making of one was soon deter- mined upon by the cutting up of a soldier's white shirt, a red petticoat, and a piece of blue cloth from the cloak of Captain Abraham Swartwout. The flag was made in a hurry, but it was regular and complete. The Congressional Resolution ordaining the Flag of the Republic, was read by the Adjutant and it was raised on August 3, 1777. Thirteen stars and stripes continued until 1795 to be our national emblem. January 13, 1794, Vermont and Ken- tucky having been admitted to the Union, and Congress not foreseeing the growth of the flag in adding both a star and a stripe for each new state, passed the following Act which was approved by President Washington: — 26 The American Flag 11 That, from and after the first day of May, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, the flag of the United States be fifteen stripes, alternate red and white, and that the Union be fifteen stars, white in a blue field." This was our national emblem for twenty-three years. (See plate IV). It was carried during the War of 1812 and was the flag that waved over Fort McHenry when Francis Scott Key was inspired to write "The Star Spangled Banner.' ' In 1817, after the accession of a num- ber of new States, it was seen that it would not be prac- ticable to continue adding a new stripe for each new State, therefore, Hon. Peter Wend over, a member of Congress serving from 1815 to 1821, offered a resolution in the House of Representatives, calling for a select Committee to inquire into the expediency of altering the flag of the United States so that it would truly represent the Union. Accordingly, in 1818, Congress passed an Act which settled the general form of our flag. The Act was as follows : — "An Act to establish the flag of the United States. Sec. 1. That from and after the 4th of July next, the flag of the United States be thirteen hori- zontal stripes, alternate red and white — that the Union have twenty stars, white in a blue field. Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, that on the admission of every new State into the Union, one star be added to the Union of the flag, and that such addition shall take effect on the 4th of July next succeeding such admission." Credit must be given to Mr. Wend over for the pressing of the bill in the House, but it was Captain Samuel C. Reid of the United States Navy who suggested reducing the stripes to thirteen, representing the original states of the Union, and the adding of a star for each new state. Cap- The American Flag 27 tain Reid also suggested that these stars be arranged to form one large star in the centre of the Union. This flag, the first of the kind, was made in New York City by Mrs. S. C. Reid, under the direction of her husband, the designer. The design, however, of the one great star in the centre of the blue field, did not meet with general favor, and they were afterwards placed in rows. As Congress did not designate the form of placing the stars in the Union, the War and Navy Departments of the United States Govern- ment, in 1912, agreed they should be placed in parallel lines . ( See plate V ) . SIGNIFICANCE The American Flag represents a glorious Land of Liberty and Union, the dear purchase of generations past. It represents a government " of the people, by the people and for the people" who enjoy justice, freedom and equality of rights. Our flag means Americanism and that no anti- Americanism can exist under its folds. It stands for civili- zation, for our past heroism, our present power and pros- perity, and for future achievements and progress. The Stars and Stripes represents a great republic which was ordained by God, who sent to us such noble men as Christopher Col- umbus and George Washington that we might make of a great land a great nation. We are reaping the harvest sowed by self-denial, hardship, and the manifold sufferings of our forefathers. We are enjoying a prosperity unparalleled in the history of the world. Our labor and industry have been a source of wealth but we must understand that we can not worship a material God and that if accumulation of money is man's chief aim then wealth becomes a source of luxury and extravagance that begets recklessness, idleness and vice. Let us not forget that in order to insure continued inde- 28 The American Flag pendence and prosperity, we must maintain honor; this means the conscientious exercising of all duties, by those officials elected by the people to guard our rights and in- terests. We must insist on honor in our legislative chambers ; inflexibility in our courts of law; truth in our public press; the regulation of the interests existing between capital and labor, and a sense of stewardship on the part of the rich. The flag of our great republic calls for these high ideals, and towards the maintenance of these principles every patriotic American has much to do. Let us bear in mind the quotation "that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty," and that only by intelligence, sacrifice, progression and pre- paredness, can we perpetuate the power of the Stars and Stripes. From the bosom of the future posterity calls out to us, and generations to come hold us responsible for the sacred trust of this great republic, and the honor of the flag that now protects one hundred million people. When the Stars and Stripes floats above our heads we feel its living presence in our hearts and that inspiration which has always led us on to victory and glory. Beneath the illumination of its stars let us walk our course of life giving thanks not only to God almighty for this privilege but to those martyrs who died that we might enjoy liberty. Flag of our great republic may you forever wave over "The holy Temple of American Liberty!" The Grand Union Flag, 1776 PLATE II Betsy Ross Flag — Adopted June 14, 1777 Thirteen Stars and Thirteen Stripes PLATE III Adopted May 1, 1795 Fifteen Stars and Fifteen Stripes PLATE IV Adopted July 4, 1818 Twenty Stars and Thirteen Stripes PLATE V Flag Facts MISCELLANEOUS From 1777 to 1795, it was composed of thirteen stars and thirteen stripes; from 1795 to 1818, of fifteen stars and fifteen stripes; from 1818 to 1917, of a star for every state (48) and thirteen stripes: It has flown triumphant in war or conflicts seven times : I. With Great Britain (1775-1783), thirteen stars and thirteen stripes. II. With France (1798-1800), fifteen stars and fifteen stripes. III. With Tripoli (1801-1805), fifteen stars and fifteen stripes. IV. With Great Britain (1812-1815), fifteen stars and fifteen stripes. Y. With Mexico (1846-1848), twenty-nine stars and thirteen stripes. VI. With the Confederate States (1861-1865), thirty- five stars and thirteen stripes. VII. With Spain (1898), forty-five stars and thirteen stripes. According to the War Department regulations the Army did not carry (officially) the Stars and Stripes until 1834; though there is record of its use as a garrison flag from about 1787 or '98 to 1834. It appears that the Army did not carry (officially), in battle, the Stars and Stripes until the period of the Mexican war, 1846-'48. Before this, bodies of troops carried what was known as national colors or standards, of blue, with the coat of arms of the United (33) 34 The American Flag States emblazoned thereon and with the designation of the body of troops inscribed on a scroll. Paul Jones claimed to have hoisted, July 4, 1777, the first Stars and Stripes (on the American man-of-war, Alfred). It was first displayed in battle, at Fort Schuyler, N. Y., , August 3, 1777 It was first seen in a foreign country aboard the Ranger, Captain Paul Jones, at Quiberon Bay, France, where it re- ceived the salute of that government.... February 14, 1778 To Paul Jones was assigned the duty of displaying it for the first time aboard the " America," the first ship of the fine built for the United States 1782 First displayed in a British Port on board the Bedford, of Massachusetts, which arrived in the Downs February 3, 1783 First displayed in the Chinese Sea aboard the Empress of China, Captain John Green 1784 First trip around the world in the ship Columbia. .1787-90 First displayed in Siam aboard the Peggie 1789 The first vessel to sail the waters of Lake Erie under the Stars and Stripes was a schooner from Erie, Pennsylvania 1797 First carried from an American port to Japan on board the ship Franklin, Captain James Devereau, of Salem, Massachusetts 1799 Carried farthest south in the schooner Flying Fish, Lieut. W. M. Walker, U. S. N. (Wilkes U. S. exploring expedition), lat. 70°-14' S.— Ion. 100° W March 24, 1839 Carried to the heart of Africa by Stanley.. IS 71 and later. Carried farthest north by Lieut. Peary, U. S. N. lat. 83° -30' N.— Ion. 39 W 1891-98 The " Pledge of Allegiance " was given, under the leader- The American Flag 35 ship of "The Youth's Companion," by more than 12,000,000 Public School Pupils during the "National Public School Celebration" of October 21, 1892. This salute has since been adopted by thousands of schools. Before 1866 all American flags were made of English bunting. A new star is added to the flag on the Fourth of July following the admission of a state. Dates of Admission of the States to our Union 1. Delaware Dec. 7, 1787 25. Arkansas June 15, 1836 2. Pennsylvania Dec. 12, 1787 26. Michigan Jan. 26, 1837 3. New Jersey Dec. 18, 1787 27. Florida Mar. 3, 1845 4. Georgia Jan. 2, 1788 28. Texas Dec. 29, 1845 5. Connecticut Jan. 9, 1788 29. Iowa Dec. 28, 1846 6. Massachusetts Feb. 6, 1788 30. Wisconsin May 29, 1848 7. Maryland Apr. 28, 1788 31. California Sept. 9, 1850 8. South Carolina May 23, 1788 32. Minnesota May 11, 1858 9. New Hampshire June 21, 1788 33. Oregon Feb. 14, 1859 10. Virginia June 26, 1788 34. Kansas Jan. 29, 1861 11. New York July 26, 1788 35. West Virginia June 19, 1863 12. North Carolina Nov. 21, 1789 36. Nevada Oct. 31, 1864 13. Rhode Island May 29, 1790 37. Nebraska Mar. 1, 1867 14. Vermont Mar. 4, 1791 38. Colorado Aug. 1,1876 15. Kentucky June 1, 1792 39. North Dakota Nov. 2, 1889 16. Tennessee June 1, 1796 40. South Dakota Nov. 2,1889 17. Ohio Nov. 29, 1802 41. Montana Nov. 8, 1889 18. Louisiana Apr. 30, 1812 42. Washington Nov. 11, 1889 19. Indiana Dec. 11, 1816 43. Idaho July 3, 1890 20. Mississippi Dec. 10, 1817 44. Wyoming July 10, 1890 21. Illinois Dec. 3, 1818 45. Utah Jan. 4, 1896 22. Alabama Dec. 14, 1819 46. Oklahoma Nov. 16, 1907 23. Maine Mar. 15, 1820 47. New Mexico Jan. 6, 1912 24. Missouri Aug. 10,1821 48. Arizona Feb. 14, 1912 36 The American Flag DEFINITIONS OF PARTS OF FLAG The hoist is the width of flag, next to the staff (pole or "pike"). The fly is the length of flag. The canton (Latin canton, "corner"), is the upper cor- ner next to the staff. The union is the device placed in the canton to repre- sent political union. The union jack, or "Jack," represents both the device and canton. For what reason or when the name jacque was first given to the flag of England is purely conjectral some writers state that when the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew were conjoined by the order of James I, whose name in French is Jacques, it was called Jacque's flag. It most probably originated from jacque, a sur coat, charged with a red cross and anciently worn by the English soldiers. DIMENSIONS OF NATIONAL FLAG The following Executive Order is published to the Army for the information and guidance of all concerned : EXECUTIVE ORDER The Executive Order of October 29, 1912, is hereby revoked, and for it is substituted the following: Whereas, "An Act to Establish the Flag of the United States," ap- proved on the 4th of April, 1818, reading as follows: "Section 1. Be it enacted, etc., That from and after the fourth day of July next, the flag of the United States be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be twenty stars, white in a blue field. "Section 2. And be it further enacted, That on the admission of every new State into the Union, one star be added to the union of the flag ; and that such addition shall take effect on the fourth of July then next suc- ceeding such admission." fails to establish proportions ; and The American Flag 37 Whereas, investigation shows some sixty-six different sizes of National flags, and of varying proportions, in use in the Executive Departments ; It is hereby ordered that National Flags and Union Jacks for all De- partments of the Government, with the exception noted under (a), shall conform to the following proportions: Hoist (width) of Flag 1 Fly (length) of Flag 1.9 Hoist (width) of Union 7-13 Fly (length) of Union 76 Width of each stripe 1-13 (a) Exception: The colors carried by troops, and camp colors, shall be the sizes prescribed for the Military Service (Army and Navy). Limitation of the number of sizes: With the exception of colors under note (a) , the sizes of flags manufactured or purchased for the Government Departments will be limited to those with the following hoists: (1) 20 feet (2) 19 feet (standard) (3) 14.35 feet (4)....: 12.19 feet (5) 10 feet (6) 8.94 feet (7) 5.14 feet (8) 5 feet (9) 3.52 feet (10) 2.90 feet (11) 2.37 feet (12) 1.31 feet Union Jacks: The size of the Jack shall be the size of the Union of the National Flag with which it is flown. Position and Size of Stars: The position and size of each star for the Union of the flag shall be as indicated on a plan which will be furnished to the Departments by the Navy Department. From this plan can be de- termined the location and size of stars for flags of any dimensions. Extra blue prints of this plan will be furnished upon application to the Navy Department. Order effective: All National Flags and Union Jacks now on hand or for which contracts have been awarded shall be continued in use until unserviceable, but all those manufactured or purchased for Government use 38 The American Flag after the date of this order shall conform strictly to the dimensions and proportions herein prescribed. President's Flag : The President's flag shall be in accordance with the plan accompanying and forming a part of this order. In case sizes are needed other than the two sizes shown on the plan, they shall be manu- factured in the same proportions as those shown. Woodrow Wilson. The White House, 29 May, 1916. The national flags hoisted at camps or forts are made of bunting of American manufacture. They are of the three following sizes: THE GARRISON FLAG Fly (length) .38 feet. Hoist (width) 20 feet. Stripes about I8V2 inches in width. Union fly (length) about 15 feet. Hoist (width) about 10% feet. It is furnished only to posts designated in orders from time to time from the War Department and is hoisted only on holidays and important occasions. THE POST FLAG (Standard) Fly (length) 19 feet. Hoist (width) 10 feet. Stripes about 9^ inches in width. Union fly (length) about 7Y2 feet. Hoist (width) about 5V 2 feet. It is furnished to all garrisoned posts and hoisted in pleasant weather. The American Flag 39 THE STORM FLAG Fly (length) 9 feet 6 inches. Hoist (width) 5 feet. Stripes about 4%, inches in width. Union fly (length) about 45^ inches. Hoist (width) about 32 inches. It is furnished to all occupied posts for use in stormy and windy weather. It is also furnished to national ceme- teries. NATIONAL COLORS (Military Service, Army and Navy) Fly (length) 5 feet 6 inches. Hoist (width) 4 feet 4 inches. Stripes about 4 inches in width. Union fly (length) about 30 inches. Hoist (width) about 28 inches. Pike (staff) 9 feet. (See frontispiece). It is made of silk when used in battle, campaigns, or occasions of ceremony. It is made of bunting (or other suitable material) when used at drills, on marches or on all service other than battles, campaigns and occasions of cere- mony. (Exception) when used for battalions of Philippine Scouts the " service" national colors, made of bunting, is used on all occasions. amous Flags THE FLAG OF PHILADELPHIA LIGHT HORSE Is made of bright yellow silk and is 40 inches long and 34 inches broad, with thirteen bine and silver stripes al- ternating in the Canton. Over the crest (a horse's head), are the letters L H (Light Horse). An American Indian and an Angel blowing a golden trumpet support the scroll under which appear the words " For these we strive." The banner was presented to the troop by its first Captain, Abram Markoe. The troop was organized in 1774. When Washington left Philadelphia on June 23, 1775 to go to Cambridge to assume command of the Colonial Army he was escorted to New York by the Troop, and it is believed that this banner was carried at that time and to be the earliest use of stripes on an American flag. This banner is preserved by the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. OLD GLORY The first flag believed to have received the name "Old Glory" was owned by Captain William Driver who was born in Salem, March 17, 1803, and died in Nashville, Ten- nessee, March 2, 1886. In 1831, he commanded the brig "Charles Doggett" and just before leaving for a voyage to the Southern Pacific, he was presented with a large and (40) The American Flag 41 beautifully made American flag. As it was raised aloft, he christened it "Old Glory." When he moved to Nashville, in 1837, he carried his beloved flag with him, and during our Civil War, when the Confederates searched his house for it, he sewed it up in the coverlet of his bed. In 1862, when the Federal troops entered Nashville, Captain Driver obtained permission to raise his flag over the State Capitol, — the story goes that he unfurled it himself, and with tears in his eyes, as it floated on the breeze, remarked, "There those Texas Rangers have been hunting for this these six months without finding it, and they knew I had it. I have always said if I could see it float over that Capitol I should have lived long enough. Now 'Old Glory* is up there, Gentle- men, and I am ready to die." This banner is preserved in the Essex Institute, Salem, Mass. FLAG OP THE BON HOMME RICHARD There is more than ordinary interest in the most famous naval flag of the Revolution which floated over the " Ranger," and subsequently went down, battle torn, with the "Bon Homme Richard." John Paul Jones, the first of the great American sea fighters, was born in Scotland in 1747, and settled in Virginia. In 1775, he was made a Lieutenant in the Continental Navy. June 14, 1777, the same day that Congress passed the resolution in relation to the flag of the thirteen stars and stripes, it also "RESOLVED, that Paul Jones be appointed to the command of the ' Ranger* " and he claimed to have hoisted July 4, the first Stars and Stripes that ever flew on an American man-of-war. This same flag was transferred by Jones, in 1779, to the vessel 42 The American Flag "Due de Duras," and although it had been condemned, he mounted guns and changed her name to the "Bon Homme Richard " in honor of Benjamin Franklin. On the evening of September 23, Jones encountered, in English waters, the British man-of-war, Serapis, which carried fifty guns and, notwithstanding his badly equipped vessel, he fought and won one of the most brilliant battles in naval annals. When the "Richard " was completely riddled, in flames and sinking, and J'ones was commanded to surrender, he replied, "I have not yet begun to fight' ' and after several hours of a fierce and bloody conflict, the Serapis was forced to haul down her colors and her crew were made prisoners. The " Richard " was abandoned and went down, the flag at her masthead. According to Paul Jones, "the very last vestige mortal eye ever saw of the 'Bon Homme Richard* was the defiant waving of her unconquered and unstricken flag as she went down, and as I had given them the good old ship for their sepulchre, I now bequeathed to my im- mortal dead the flag they had so desperately defended, for their winding sheet." PULASKI'S BANNER Count Pulaski was born in Poland, March 4, 1748. At the age of twenty-four, he found himself outlawed with his estates confiscated, after having been known as the leading Polish military patriot. In 1777, by the advice of Benjamin Franklin, he joined the American Army, as a volunteer. After the Battle of Brandywine, he was ap- pointed a Brigadier in the Continental Army, and given the command of the Cavalry. He resigned his command in a few months and was authorized by Congress to raise The American Flag 43 and command an independent corps. This was known as Pulaski's Legion, and was chiefly raised and fully organ- ized in Baltimore in 1778. While Lafayette was wounded and in the care of the Moravian Sisters at Bethlehem, Penn- sylvania, he was visited by Pulaski, and his presence and eventful history made such a deep impression upon the Sisters that they made him a beautiful banner of crimson silk. It was twenty inches square, and was attached to a lance when born on the field. On one side was the letters "U. S." and in a circle around them, the words "Unitas Virtus Forcior," meaning, " Union Makes Valor Stronger." "C" in the last word should be "t. M On the other side, surrounding an eye, are the words, "Non Alius Regit," meaning "No other Governs." The Sisters sent this with their blessing to Pulaski, who received it with grateful ac- knowledgements, and bore it gallantly until 1779, when he was killed in the conflict in Savannah. His First Lieu- tenant rescued the banner and delivered it to Captain Bentalon, who carried it to Baltimore where it is preserved by the Maryland Historical Society. THE EUTAW FLAG This flag was carried at the Battle of Cowpens, and at that of Eutaw Springs from which it got its name. It was a crimson standard known as the " Eutaw" flag, and relates a love story of the Revolutionary times. In 1780, Col. Wm. Washington, a relative of Gen. George Washing- ton, came from Virginia to South Carolina in command of a troop of Cavalry. He met Miss Jane Elliot who lived near Charleston, and fell in love with her. One day, when 44 The American Flag the Colonel was paying her a visit, she learned that his corps had no flag, whereupon Miss Elliot seized her scissors and cut a square section from a piece of drapery and asked him to use it as his standard. He graciously accepted it and bore it upon a hickory pole until the close of the war. In 1782, Col. Washington and Miss Elliot were married, and in 1827 Mrs. Washington presented the banner to the Washington Light Infantry of Charleston. THE FLAG OF •THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S GUARD Frequently called that of Washington's Life Guard, is one of the most interesting flags of Revolutionary times. It is of white silk, and on it neatly painted, is the device. One of the guard who is holding a horse is in the act of re- ceiving a flag from the Genius of Liberty, personified as a woman leaning upon the Union shield, near which is an eagle. " Conquer or die," the motto of the Corps is on a ribbon over the device. This Life Guard, a distinct corps of mounted men was attached to the person of Washing- ton, but never spared in Battle. It was composed of 180 men, and all the states that supplied the Continental troops, were represented in this corps. The uniform of this guard was a blue coat with white facings. White waistcoat and breeches, blue half-gaiters and a cocked hat with white plume. Their flag was preserved in the Museum of Alex- andria, Ya., until destroyed by fire. The American Flag 45 [Reproduced by courtesy of the National Museum Washington, D. C] THE STAR -SPANGLED BANNER The Star - Spangled Banner that waved triumphantly over Fort McHenry, September 13 and 14, 1814, and which inspired the immortal poem, was ordered made by Brig.- Gen. John Strieker. The fort had undergone extensive re- pairs and as the garrison flag, then in use in the fort, was old and too small the soldiers and sailors of Baltimore de- sired a new one. This was made by Mrs. Mary Pickersgill, assisted by her daughter and two nieces, at her home in Baltimore. The flag was originally about forty feet long 46 The American Flag but this has been diminished by the battle, time and relic seekers. Each stripe measures nearly two feet in width, and the five pointed stars, two feet from point to point. The flag was made in sections, and because of its great length, it was found necessary to remove it to the loft of a neighboring brewery, in order to set in the canton with the stars. The making of the flag was begun about the middle of August. A piece of red cotton cloth on the third white stripe from the bottom is supposed to represent the initial of Major Armistead, commander of the fort. It was sewed on so hurriedly, before the flag went into action, that the cross bar of the letter was omitted. This flag among many others, has recently been put in a state of preservation by Mrs. Amelia Fowler of Boston. Flag Narratives POETRY AN INSPIRATION IN WAR Mr. James E. Murdock once remarked that he consid- ered "The American Flag' ? by Joseph Rodman Drake, the finest lyric the world ever read. Upon one occasion during the Civil War he was called upon by some of his comrades to give them cheer by " A speech.' ' Mr. Murdock demurred having recognized in the assemblage leading statesmen, law- yers, and judges. He proceeded however, to recite Drake's poetic address to the American flag. At the close of the recitation, cheer upon cheer went up, and a sturdy old Irish- man stepped out from the crowd and tendered him his hand. "Long life to you sir, and to your speech about the Stars and Stripes; for if any thing can make them better and brighter than they are, it's just the like of such talk as yourself makes over 'em. Sure, sir, we'll all work the longer and the easier because of such music as that." (See page 73.) THE FLAG THAT NEVER TOUCHED THE GROUND Among the many heroic deeds of the Civil War, was that of Sergeant Carney which took place during the at- tack on Fort Wagner, July 18th, 1863. The assault, though brief, was fearful and furious and took place in a violent thunder storm. Sergeant Carney, who was in the first bat- talion of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment, of Massachusetts, was in the advance of the storming columns. When within about one hundred yards of the fort, he received the regimental colors, and pressed forward to the front rank, where Col- onel Robert Gould Shaw was about to lead the men over a ditch. With full ranks they ascended the wall of the fort (47) 48 The American Flag but upon reaching the top they were dispersed, by the fir- ing of the enemy. Sergeant Carney received a wound in the thigh and although forced to rest upon one knee he suc- ceeded in planting the Stars and Stripes on the parapet. Having accomplished this, he laid down on the outer slope for shelter, for over half an hour, to await the arrival of the second brigade. During the second attack, in which he was wounded in the head, he kept the colors flying until the end. When our forces retired, he followed creeping on one knee, still holding up the flag and refusing to give up this sacred trust until he found an officer of his regiment. When he -entered the Field Hospital, though almost exhausted from loss of blood, he exclaimed, amidst the cheers from his wounded comrades, " Boy's the old flag never touched the ground." These colors can be seen today in the Hall of Flags, in the State House, Boston. THE SOLDIER'S DEVOTION TO THE FLAG We do not wonder that the soldiers love the flag. It is to them both a history and a prophecy. A Massachusetts sol- dier boy, dying on the battlefield, lifted up his eyes to the flag and shouted, "All hail, the Stars and Stripes!" Our flag is a power everywhere. One has justly said : " It is known, respected, and feared round the entire globe. Wherever it goes, it is the recognized symbol of intelligence, equality, freedom, and Christianity.' ' Wherever it goes the immense power of this great Republic goes with it, and the hand that touches the honor of the flag, touches the honor of the Re- public itself. On Spanish soil, a man entitled to the protection of our government was once arrested and condemned to die. The American consul interceded for his life, but was told that the man must suffer death. The American Flag 49 The hour appointed for the execution came, and Span- ish guns, gleaming in the sunlight, were ready for the work of death. At that critical moment the American consul took our flag, and unfolded its stars and stripes around the person of the doomed man, and then turning to the soldiers; said : " Men, remember that a single shot through that flag will be avenged by the entire power of the American Repub- lic." That shot was never fired. And that man, around whom the shadows of death were gathering, was saved by the Stars and Stripes. Dear old flag! Thou art a power at home and abroad. Our fathers loved thee in thine in- fancy; our heroic dead loved thee, and we love thee, and fondly clasp thee to our hearts. All thy stars gleam like gems of beauty on thy brow, and all thy stripes beam upon the eye like bows of promise to the nation. Wave on, thou peerless, matchless banner of the free! Wave on, over the army and the navy, over the land and sea, over the cottage and the palace, over the school and the church, over the living and the dead; wave ever more, "O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave." Rev. H. H. Birkins. Most thrilling instances of the soldiers devotion to the flag have been witnessed. Said a man wounded in the bat- tle of Fredericksburg : " Boys I am shot, don't wait for me ; just open the folds of the old flag, let me see it once more," and while the film of death was on his eye, he caught it in his hands, pressed it to his lips, and under the booming of cannon and fire of musketry, the noble spirit of Captain Perry sought a fairer, purer sky. Dr. H. C. Vogell, Raleigh, N. C. 50 The American Flag THE POWER OF THE FLAG During the time that the Hon. Joel R. Poinsett of South Carolina was the United States Minister to Mexico, he had the following thrilling experience: When Gomez Pedraza was elected to the presidentship of Mexico, it caused much ill feeling among the people who soon proceeded to open revolt. Among the barracks, build- ings, and batteries that they took possession of and besieged, was the convent of St. Augustine, situated in the rear of Mr. Poinsett's house. During this attack Madam Yturrigaray, widow of the former viceroy of Mexico, who lived in the adjoining house, became almost frantic with fear, and rushing to Mr. Poin- sett's door she implored him to protect her. While assuring her of his assistance one of the belligerents fired a shot at him which passed through his cloak, and as he retired into the house the mob approached and attempted to force the doors because of the sheltering there of their enemies, among them many European Spaniards. After their desperate but unsuccessful efforts to force the doors, Mr. Poinsett called upon Mr. Mason, the secretary of the American legation, to display the Stars and Stripes. As this was done the two gentlemen appeared upon the bal- cony and Mr. Poinsett proceeded to inform them who he was, what flag waved over his head, and his right to pro- tect all who sought refuge under his roof. The shouts of the soldiers were hushed and the muzzles of their guns, which had been leveled at Mr. Poinsett, were low- ered, the latter then seized the opportunity to retire to the house to dispatch a note to the commander of the besieging army. Mr. Poinsett up on learning from his servant that the house was surrounded by so many troops he dared not open The American Flag 51 the doors; he and Mr. Mason resolved to go themselves, ac- companied by a native servant. They accordingly ordered the Porter to open the door. As they walked forth, the astonishment of the besiegers was so great, they immediately commenced to retreat and before they had recovered from their surprise Mr. Poinsett and Mr. Mason had accomplished their errand, returned to the court yard, and the Porter had closed the gates. The cavalry commanded by a friend of the legation soon arrived on the scene, the gates were thrown wide open, the horsemen rode into the yard, and sentinels were stationed before the door. Order was soon restored and all who had sought refuge under the Stars and Stripes remained in perfect safety. Patriotic Flag Quotations Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the Truth. — Bible. Our flag is the national ensign, pure and simple, behold it! Listen to it! Every star has a tongue, every stripe is articulate. — Robert C. Winthrop. All who sigh for the triumph of Truth and Righteous- ness, love and salute it. — A. P. Putnam. There is no name so great that it should be placed up- on the flag of our country. — Ulysses S. Grant. A star for every state and a state for every star. —Robert C. Winthrop. If anyone attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot. —Gen. John A. Dix. There are two things holy, the flag which represents military honor and the law which represents the national right. — Victor Hugo. There is but one other emblem so significant as a flag, viz., the cross. —Anon. The Stars and Stripes speaks for itself, its mute elo- . quence needs no aid to interpret its significance. Fidelity to the Union blazes from its stars. Al- legiance to the Government beneath which we live is wrapped in its folds. — Edward Everett. We will have no Government standard but our own and will accept no other flag than the glorious Stars and Stripes. — Win. McKinley* (52) The American Flag 53 It was God Almighty who nailed our flag to the flag staff, and I could not have lowered it if I had tried. — Major Robert Anderson. My only defense is the flag of my country and I place myself under its folds. —J. R. Poinsett. I want no more honorable winding sheet than the brave old flag of the Union. — A. Johnson. What the cross is to faith, that the flag is to freedom. — Anon. "Shoot, if you must, this old gray head, But spare your country's flag," she said. — Whittier. One flag, one land, one heart, one hand : One nation evermore! — Oliver W. Holmes. The flag is the one focus in which all unite in rever- ential devotion. — Major Gen. Arthur MacArthur. Our Flag, our Flag, our Country's Flag! Should danger e'er assail thee, The bugle's call will find us all; We'll never, never fail thee ! — Col. Henry Dean Atwood. The Stars and Stripes, means wherever it goes, the Con- stitution of the United States. — Henry Cabot Lodge. Wherever men behold the American Flag they see the symbols of light. It is the Banner of Dawn , it means Liberty. — Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. 54 The American Flag The flag of the American Union is a visable symbol of the ideal aspirations of the American people. — Major Gen. Arthur MacArthur. The Stars and Stripes is a solemn national symbol. — Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. The Stars and Stripes waved over our cradles, let us ever pray that it may wave over our graves. — R. S. Robertson. Let us enter the portals of immortality with the con- . sciousness that the Starry Flag under which we lived and fought was never stained or dishonored by our misconduct. — Col. W. A. Prossner. w Wherever our flag has gone it has been the herald of a better day; it has been the pledge of freedom, jus- tice, order, civilization, and of Christianity. — Anon. Under the Starry Flag every citizen is a king, and there is no avenue to "wealth and fame, position and power, that is not open to every child of the Republic. — Col. W. A. Prossner. The Stars and Stripes commands, not supplicates. — Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. The Flag deserves the highest honor that devoted hearts can pay to it. It is the nation's sacred emblem. Long may it wave. — W. R. Maxwell. Our Flag represents our dignity and our honor upon every sea, and reflects our glory in every sky. Long may it float an inspiration to patriotism! — Anon. The American Flag 55 How glorious has been the history of our flag! There is not such another banner in all the world that has carried such hope, such grandeur of spirit, such soul- inspiring truth, as our dear old American Flag! Made by liberty, made for liberty, nourished in its spirit, and carried in its service. — Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, Our flag on the land and our flag on the ocean, An angel of peace wheresoever it goes : Nobly sustained by Columbia's devotion, The angel of death it shall be to our foes ! — T. B. Read. The Stars and Stripes are our states interwoven, Having grown thus from weakness to far-spreading might. — Anon. Let the flag of our country wave from the spire of every church in the land, with nothing above it but the cross of Christ. — Rev. E. A. Anderson. Flag of the brave ! thy folds shall fly, The sign of hope and triumph high. — F. R. Drake. The fairest vision on which these eyes ever looked was the flag of my country in a foreign land. — G. F. Hoar. God grant that the Stars and Stripes shall not perish until the sun, moon and stars in Heaven withdraw their light. Flag Tributes in Prose BEAUTIFUL SYMBOLIZATION OF THE FLAG There is the National flag. He must be cold, indeed, who can look upon its folds rippling in the breeze without pride of country. If in a foreign land the flag is companion- ship, and country itself, with all its endearments, who, as he sees it, can think of a State merely ? Whose eyes, once fastened upon its radiant trophies, can fail to recognize the image of the whole Nation? It has been called, "a floating piece of poetry ;" and yet I know not if it have any intrinsic beauty beyond other ensigns. Its highest beauty is what it symbolizes. It is because it represents all, that all gaze at it with delight and reverence. It is a piece of bunting lifted in the air ; but it speaks sublimity, and every part has a voice. Its stripes of alternate red and white, proclaim the original Union of thirteen States to maintain the Declaration of Independence. Its stars of white on a field of blue proclaim Union of States consti- tuting our National constellation, which receives a new star with every new State. The two together signify Union, past present. The very colors have a language, officially recognized by our fathers. White is for purity; red, for valor; blue for justice. And altogether, bunting, stripes, stars, and colors, blazing in the sky, make the flag of our country, to be cherished by all our hearts, to be upheld by all our hands. — Charles Sumner (1873). (56) The American Flag 57 DUTY TO OUR FLAG When the Standard of the Union is raised and waves over my head, the Standard which Washington planted on the ramparts of the Constitution, God forbid that I should inquire whom the people have commissioned to unfurl it and bear it up. I can only ask in what manner, as a humble individual, I can best discharge my duties in de- fending it. ***** * We wish that the last object on the sight of him who leaves his native shores, and the first to gladden him who revisits it, may be something which should remind him of the liberty and the glory of his country. Let the flag rise till it meets the sun in his coming; let the earlier light of the morning gild it, and the parting day linger to play on the summit. — Daniel Webster. The following is Mr. Webster's grand apostrophe to the flag, which forms the closing sentence of his immortal speech in reply to Hayne, United States Senate, January 26, 1830: "Let my last feeble, lingering glance behold the gorgeous ensign of the republic, now known and honored throughout the earth, its arms and trophies streaming in their original lustre; not a stripe erased or polluted, not a single star obscured— bearing for its motto no such miserable inter- rogatory as, 'What is all this worth ?' nor these other words of delusion and folly, ' Liberty first, and Union afterwards ; ' but everywhere, spread all over in characters of living light, blazing on all its ample folds as they float over the sea and over the land, and in every wind under the whole heavens, that other sentiment, dear to every true American heart — 'Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable!' " ; 58 The American Flag A SYMBOL OF IDEAL ASPIRATIONS The flag of the American Union is a visible symbol of the ideal aspirations of the American people. It is the one focus in which all unite in reverential devotion. We differ in religion; we differ in politics; we engage in violent dis- putes as to the true meaning of the Constitution, and even challenge the wisdom of some of its provisions; we inject self-interest and cupidity into most of the ordinary trans- actions of daily life, but through the sanctifying folds of the flag the collective intelligence of the Nation rises superior to .the wisdom of any of its parts, and thereby ensures the perpetuity of the Republic. — Major-General Arthur Mac- Arthur, U. S. A. (1903). THE FLAG AND YOUNG MEN I want to see the young men of this land taught that our banner should be to them like the banner in the sky which appeared to Constantine of old, which turned him back into the path of duty from which he had strayed. It should be taught that it is to be their pillar of cloud by day ; their pillar of fire by night ; that it is to wave about them in victory, be their rallying point in defeat, and if perchance they offer up their lives a sacrifice in its defence, its gentle folds will rest upon their bosoms in death. * * * * — General Horace Porter (1895). THE HALLOWED EMBLEM "The flag of a free country does not take care of itself. Whether it shall command respect or not is to be deter- mined by the quality of the Nation's life. It rests with all The American Flag 59 the people, — it is for us and those who shall come after us, to say whether its ancient glory shall play about it still. What mighty deeds have responded to its inspirations! What noble martyrdoms have been won beneath its folds! It is a beautiful and a hallowed emblem, — this starry ensign of our nationality. In alien lands, — in distant seas, — the heart leaps up to see it float on high. It speaks at once of aspirations and of achievement, — it stands at once for memory and for hope. It is a pledge, — it is the Solemn Covenant of our common liberties. It is a badge of brother- hood and of a common destiny. It links together, by an indissoluble tie, with the Nation's past and future, the whole mighty family of her living sons. It should stand for majesty and might. It should stand for purity and justice and honor. A little lowering of the patriotic standards, — a little blunting of the national conscience, — a little falling off in the collective honor of the people, — and that generous pride with "which we hail its lustrous folds lapses into the blind idolatry of emblem- worship, — a heart- less and a hollow sham. Who would look up to it when he could no longer say 'See the proud emblem of my Country's honor; I know no purer love!' If we -would re- spect the majesty of the flag, we must keep it the badge of worth as well as the badge of power, that all men, un- challenged, shall make haste to pay obeisance to it." —Robert S. Rantoul (1900). BEAUTY OP OUR FLAG "I have seen the glories of art and architecture, and of mountain and river ; I have seen the sunset on Jungfrau, and the full moon rise over Mont Blanc; but fairest vision I 60 The American Flag on which these eyes ever looked was the flag of my country in a foreign land. Beautiful as a flower to those who love it, terrible as a meteor to those who hate it, it is the symbol of the power and the glory, and the honor of fifty millions of Americans."— George F. Hoar (1878). WHAT OUR FLAG MEANS. "It is a symbol to which we pay our devotion. In the first place, it is the American flag. Just that and noth- ing more. No other adjective is ever prefixed to that word. It stands for the history of the United States and for the traditions of our people, and no other. It is the flag just as much of the man who was naturalized yesterday, as of the man whose people have been here many generations. It means vast material prosperity. It has gone with us on that Western march which has submitted the entire con- tinent to the uses of man. Under its shelter the Atlantic and Pacific have been joined. It has gone with Peary to the North Pole. It is seen in the wilderness of Alaska, and in the tropics of the Philippines . "It means, wherever it goes, the Constitution of the United States. It means freedom of speech and freedom of thought. It means men have suffered and died for that flag. It means more than safety and shelter for all who dwell beneath its folds. Look close upon it and you will see a grave procession of men who have given all that life holds dearest that that flag might stand. "You see there Washington and his Continentals who gave us Independence. You see there the many who in the war of 1812 gave us our place and our respect among the The American Flag 61 e> nations, and you see there in that flag the faces of all that great brotherhood who died that the Union and the flag might live, and first among them the face of Abraham Lincoln. " They gave their lives to guard that flag. They sacri- ficed everything that no star should be removed or dimin- ished, and they handed it to us without a stain. The flag may call upon us again for protection, and when it does I believe the response will be the same; but bear this in mind, that if the citizens protect the flag, the flag must protect the citizens. Wherever any American goes legally and observing the law, there the flag goes with him, and there it must ever go. "The flag stands for all that we hold dear— freedom, democracy, government of the people, by the people, and for the people. These are the great principles for which the flag stands, and when that democracy and that freedom and that government of the people are in danger, then it is our duty to defend the flag which stands for them all, and in order to defend the flag and keep it soaring as it soars here today, undimmed, unsullied, victorious over the years, we must be ready to defend it, and like the men of '76 and '61, pledge to it our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." — Henry Cabot Lodge (1915). WHY WE IX)YE OUR FLAG "Our Flag! Why do we love it ? Why does the very sight of it, the mere mention of the magic name of the Star-Spangled Banner thrill us with emotions that no words can fully express? It is not alone because of its unrivalled 62 The American Flag beauty, nor for the striking combinations of form and color that enable it to be identified at a greater distance than any other national flag on earth. It is in truth — let us never forget it — because of the liberty and blessings which it guarantees to all who seek its shelter; because it offers to every class, creed and race a vision of hope, opportunity and equality before the law not attainable in any other land: because it is the emblem of a Government which se- cures a greater measure of happiness and prosperity for the individual citizen than any other Government has ever offered or given. '"And who will say today that our flag has not justi- fied the hopes and expectations of the millions who have come from every country in the world, leaving for its shelter, home, country and the flag of their nativity because they believed that our flag, and the free institutions for which it stands, would do more for their happiness, advancement and well-being than could be hoped for in the home of their ancestors or under the flag of any other Government? Wherever it has gone in its triumphant march to the Gulf and to the Pacific, in Cuba, Porto Rico, Hawaii and the far-off Philippines, it has been the herald of a better day. More prominently than ever it stands today before the nations for individual liberty and equality of opportunity, for interstate and international friendliness and justice, for civilization and for peace. If there shall ever be, which may Almighty God forbid, a dimming of its glory it will be be- cause we or our children forget or are unfaithful to its teachings, and because we permit greed, oppression or racial and religious prejudice to mar its noble record as a refuge from oppression and the one unsullied national emblem of justice and good will among men. The American Flag 63 "It has been asked why it was necessary to set apart a day in honor of the flag of our nation, so near the time- honored holiday that commemorates the birthday of the nation itself. The answer is not far to seek. Our national holiday has naturally become a day of exultant rejoicing, given over to sports and outings, with an exuberant over- flow of animal spirits which, even when restrained and guided in safe and sane directions, as we have tried to guide it in recent years, leaves to young and old little time or inclination for serious reflection. We need another day in which our thoughts, even while we pursue our daily tasks, may turn to our beloved ensign as a reminder of the glorious principles which it represents, of the blessings which it typifies, and of the sacrifices which have secured these blessings to us and to our children." — Governor David 7. Walsh (1915). EVERY DAY FLAG DAY "For me, the flag does not express a mere body of vague sentiments. It is the embodiment, not of a senti- ment, but of a history, and no man can rightly serve under that flag who has not caught some of the meaning of that history. You do not create the meaning of a national life by any literary exposition of it, but by the actual daily endeavors of a great people to do the tasks of the day and live up to the ideals of honesty and righteousness and just conduct. And as we think of these things, our tribute is to those men who have created this experience. Of these men we feel that they have shown us the way. They have 64 The American Flag not been afraid to go before. They have known that they were speaking the thoughts of a great people when they led them along the paths of achievement. There was not a single swashbuckler among them. They were of sober, quiet thought, the more effective because there was no bluster in it. They were men who thought along the lines of duty, not along the lines of self-aggrandizement. They were men, in short, who thought of the people whom they served and not of themselves. "But while we think of them and do honor to them as those who have shown us the way, let us not forget that the real experience and life of a nation lies with the great multitude of unknown men. They constitute the body of the nation. This flag is the essence of their daily en- deavors. This flag does not express any more than what they are and what they desire to be ; and as I think of the life of this great nation it seems to me that we sometimes look to the wrong places for its sources. "We look to the noisy places, where men are talking in the market place ; we look to where men are expressing their individual opinions ; we look where partisans are ex- pressing passion; instead of trying to attune our ears to that voiceless mass of men who merely go about their daily tasks, try to be honorable, try to serve the people they love, try to live -worthy of the great communities to which they belong. These are the breath of the na- tion's nostrils ; these are the sinew of its might. There are no days of special patriotism. There are no days when you should be more patriotic than on other days, and I ask you to wear every day in your heart our Flag of the Union. — President Woodrow Wilson (1915). The American Flag 65 WHAT OUR NATIONAL FLAG REPRESENTS 4 'As at the early dawn the stars shine forth even while it grows light, and then, as the sun advances, that light breaks into banks and streaming lines of color, the glow- ing red and intense white striving together and ribbing the horizon with bars effulgent; so, on the American flag, stars and beams of many colored light shine out together. "It is the banner of dawn. It means Liberty; and the galley slave, the poor oppressed conscript, the down-trod- den creature of foreign despotism, sees in the American flag that very promise of production of God : ' The people which sat in darkness, saw a great light ; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up.* "In 1777, within a few days of one year after the Declaration of Independence, the congress of the colonies in the confederate states assembled and ordained this glorious national flag which we now hold and defend, and advanced it full high before God and all men as the flag of liberty. It was no holiday flag gorgeously emblazoned for gayety or vanity. It was a solemn national symbol. " Our flag carries American ideas, American history, and American feelings. Beginning with the colonies, and coming down to our time, in its sacred heraldry, in its glorious insigna, it has gathered and stored chiefly this supreme idea: DIVINE RIGHT OF LIBERTY IN MEN. Every color means liberty; every thread means liberty; every form of star and beam or stripe of light means liberty; not lawlessness, not license; but organized, institutional liberty — liberty through law, and laws for liberty! Accept it, then, in all its fullness of meaning. It is not a painted rag. It is a whole national history. It is the Constitu- 66 The American Flag tion. It is the Government. It is the free people that stand in the Government on the Constitution. Forget not what it means ; and for the sake of its ideas, be true to your country's flag." — Rev. Henry Ward Beecher (1861). Flag Tributes in Poetry E Pluribus Unum By George Washington Cutter. Though many and bright are the stars that appear In that flag by our country unfurled, And the stripes that are swelling in majesty there, Like a rainbow adorning the world, Their light is unsullied as those in the sky By a deed that our fathers have done, And they're linked in as true and as holy a tie In their motto of "Many in One." From the hour when those patriots fearlessly flung That banner of starlight abroad, Ever true to themselves, to that motto they clung, As they clung to the promise of God. By the bayonet traced at the midnight of war, On the fields where our glory was won, — Oh, perish the heart or the hand that would mar Our motto of "Many in One." 'Mid the smoke of the conflict, the cannon's deep roar, How oft it has gathered renown! While those stars were reflected in rivers of gore, Where the cross and the lion went down; And though few were their lights in the gloom of that hour, Yet the hearts that were striking below Had God for their bulwark, and truth for their power, And they stopped not to number their foe. From where our green mountain-tops blend with the sky, And the giant Saint Lawrence is rolled, To the waves where the balmy Hesperides lie, Like the dream of some prophet of old, (67) 68 The American Flag They conquered, and, dying, bequeathed to our care Not this boundless dominion alone, But that banner whose loveliness hallows the air, And their motto of "Many in One." We are many in one while glitters a star In the blue of the heavens above, And tyrants shall quail, 'mid their dungeons afar, When they gaze on that motto of love. It shall gleam o'er the sea, 'mid the bolts of the storm, Over tempest, and battle, and wreck, And flame where our guns with their thunder grow warm, 'Neath the blood of the slippery deck. The oppressed of the earth to that standard shall fly Wherever its folds shall be spread, And the exile shall feel 'tis his own native sky, Where its stars shall wave over his head ; And those stars shall increase till the fullness of time Its millions of cycles have run,— Till the world shall have welcomed their mission sublime, And the nations of earth shall be one. Though the old Alleghany may tower to heaven, And the Father of Waters divide, The links of our destiny cannot be riven While the truth of these words shall abide. Oh, then let them glow on each helmet and brand, Though our blood like our rivers shall run ; Divide as we may in our own native land, To the rest of the world we are ONE. Then, up with our flag! — let it stream on the air; Though our fathers are cold in their graves, They had hands that could strike, they had souls that could dare. And their sons were not born to be slaves. Up, up with that banner! where'er it may call, Our millions shall rally around, And a nation of freemen that moment shall fall When its stars shall be trailed on the ground. The American Flag 69 & One Land, One Flag, One Brotherhood By Thomas S. Collier. Now silent are the forests old, amid whose cool retreats Great armies met, and from the shore have passed the hostile fleets. We hear no more the trumpet's bray or bugle's stirring call, And full of dents, in quiet sheathed, the swords hang on the wall. O'er frowning ramparts, where once shone the sentry's gleaming steel, In swift and widely circling flight the purple swallows wheel ; Beside the Rappahannock's tide the robins wake their song, And where the flashing sabres clashed, brown-coated sparrows throng. The wealth of beauty that falls out from God's o'erflowing hand Clothes with a fragrant garment the fields by death made grand. In the deep silence of the earth war's relics slowly rust, And tattered flags hang motionless, and dim with peaceful dust. The past is past ; the wildflowers bloom where charging squadrons met ; And though we keep war's memories green, why not the cause forget, And have, while battle-stains fade out 'neath Heaven's pitying tears, One Land, One Flag, One Brotherhood, Through All the Coming Years? Old Flag By Hubbard Parker. What shall I say to you, Old Flag? You are so grand in every fold, So linked with mighty deeds of old, So steeped in blood where heroes fell, So torn and pierced by shot and shell, So calm, so still, so firm, so true, My throat swells at the sight of you, Old Flag. What of the men who lifted you, Old Flag, Upon the top of Bunker's Hill, Who crushed the Briton's cruel will, 'Mid shock and roar and crash and scream, Who crossed the Delaware's frozen stream, Who starved, who fought, who bled, who died, That you might float in glorious pride, Old Flag? 70 The American Flag Who of the women brave and true, Old Flag, Who, while the cannon thundered wild, Sent forth a husband, lover, child, Who labored in the field by day, Who, all the night long, knelt to pray, And thought that God great mercy gave, If only freely you might wave, Old Flag? What is your mission now, Old Flag? What but to set all people free, To rid the world of misery, To guard the right, avenge the wrong, And gather in one joyful throng Beneath your folds in close embrace All burdened ones of every race, Old Flag. Rightly nobly do you lead the way, Old Flag Your stars shine out for liberty. Your white stripes stand for purity, Your crimson claims that courage high For Honor's sake to fight and die. Lead on against the alien shore! We'll follow you e'en to Death's door, Old Flag! The Flag of Our Union Forever By George P. Morris. A song for our banner, the watchword recall, Which gave the Republic her station, "United we stand, divided we fall," It made and preserved us a Nation. Chorus : The union of lakes, the union of lands, The union of states none can sever, The union of hearts, the union of hands, And the flag of our Union forever. The American Flag 71 What God in His infinite wisdom designed, And armed with the weapons of thunder, Not all the earth's despots or factions combined, Have the power to conquer or sunder. — Cho. Oh, keep that flag flying ! The pride of the van ! To all other nations display it! The ladies for union are to a — man! And not to the man who'd betray it. — Cho. Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean By Thomas Reckot. Columbia, the gem of the ocean, The home of the brave and the free, The shrine of each patriot's devotion, A world offers homage to thee! Thy mandates make heroes assemble, When Liberty's form stands in view; Thy banners make Tyranny tremble, When borne by the red, white, and blue. Chorus When borne by the red, white, and blue, When borne by the red, white, and blue, Thy banners make Tyranny tremble, When borne by the red, white, and blue. When war winged its wide desolation And threatened the land to deform, The ark then of Freedom's foundation, Columbia, rode safe through the storm ; With her garlands of vic'try around her, When so proudly she bore her brave crew, With her flag proudly floating before her, The boast of the red, white, and blue. — Cho. The wine-cup, the wine-cup bring hither, And fill it true to the brim; May the wreaths they have won never wither, Nor the star of their glory grow dim ! 72 The American Flag May the service united ne'er sever, But they to their colors prove true! The Army and Navy forever! Three cheers for the red, white and blue! — Cho. The Flag Goes By By Henry Holcomb Bennett. Hats off! Along the street there comes A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums, A flash of color beneath the sky: Hats off! The flag is passing by ! Blue and crimson and white it shines, Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines. Hats off! The colors before us fly; But more than the flag is passing b} T . Sea-fights and land-fights, grim and great, Fought to make and to save the State: Weary marches and sinking ships; Cheers of victory on dying lips ; Days of plenty and years of peace ; March of a strong land's swift increase; Equal justice, right and law, Stately honor and reverend awe; Sign of a nation, great and strong To ward her people from foreign wrong: Pride and glory and honor, — all Live in the colors to stand or fall. Hats off! Along the street there comes A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums ; And loyal hearts are beating high: Hats off! The flag is passing by! The American Flag 73 Old Flag Forever By Frank L. Stanton. She's up there, — Old Glory, — where lightnings are sped; She dazzles the nations with ripples of red ; And she'll wave for us living, or droop o'er us dead, — The flag of our country forever ! She's up there, — Old Glory,— how bright the stars stream I And the stripes like red signals of light are agleam ! And we dare for her, living or dream the last dream, 'Neath the flag of our country forever! She's up there,— Old Glory, — no tyrant-dealt scars, No blue on her brightness, no stain on her stars ! The brave blood of heroes hath crimsoned her bars. She's the flag of our country forever ! The American Flag By Joseph Rodman Drake. When Freedom from her mountain height Unfurled her standard to the air, She tore the azure robe of night, And set the stars of glory there. She mingled with its gorgeous dyes The milky baldric of the skies, And striped its pure celestial white With streakings of the morning light ; Then, from his mansion in the sun, She called her eagle bearer down, And gave into his mighty hand The symbol of her chosen land. Majestic monarch of the cloud, Who rear'st aloft thy regal form, To hear the tempest trumpings loud And see the lightning lances driven, When strive the warriors of the storm, 74 The American Flag And rolls the thunder-drum of heaven, — Child of the sun ! to thee 'tis given To guard the banner of the free ; To hover in the sulphur smoke, To ward away the battle-stroke; And bid its blendings shine afar, Like rainbows on the clouds of war, The harbingers of victory ! Flag of the brave ! thy folds shall fly, The sign of hope and triumph high, When speaks the signal trumpet tone, And the long line comes gleaming on. Ere yet the life-blood, warm and wet, Has dimmed the glistening bayonet, Each soldier eye shall brightly turn To where the sky-born glories burn, And, as his springing steps advance, Catch war and vengeance from the glance ; And when the cannon-mouthings loud Heave in wold wreaths the battle-shroud, And gory sabres rise and fall, Like shoots of flame on midnight's pall, Then shall thy meteor glances glow, And cowering foes shall shrink beneath Each gallant arm that srikes below That lovely messenger of death. Flag of the seas ! on ocean wave Thy stars shall glitter o'er the brave, When death, careering on the gale, Sweeps darkly round the bellied sail, And frighted waves rush wildly back Before the broadside's reeling rack: Each dying wanderer of the sea Shall look at once to heaven and thee, And smile to see thy splendor fly, In triumph, o'er his closing eye. The American Flag 75 Flag of the free heart's hope and home! By angel hands to valor given, Thy stars have lit the welkin dome, And all thy hues were born in heaven. Forever flat that standard sheet! Where breathes the foe but falls before us, With Freedom's soil beneath our feet, And Freedom's banner streaming o'er us ? The Cross and the Flag By Cardinal O'Coxnell Hail banner of our holy Faith Redemption's sacred sign — Sweet emblem thou of heavenly hope ; And of all help divine. We bare our heads in reverence, As o'er us is unfurled The standard of the Cross of Christ, Whose blood redeemed the world. Hail banner of our native land, Great ensign of the free — We love thy glorious stars and stripes, Emblem of liberty. Lift high the Cross, unfurl the Flag; May they forever stand United in our hearts and hopes, God and our native land. Union and Liberty f By Oliver Wendell Holmes Flag of the heroes who left us their glory, Borne through their battle-fields' thunder and name, Blazoned in song and illumined in story, Wave o'er us all who inherit their fame ! * By courtesy of His Eminence, Cardinal O'Connell. f By Courtesy of Houghton, Mifflin Co 76 The American Flag Up with our banner bright, Sprinkled with starry light, Spread its fair emblems from mountain to shore, While through the sounding sky, Loud rings the Nation's cry, — Union and Liberty! One evermore! Light of our firmament, guide of our Nation, Pride of her children, and honored afar, Let the wide beams of thy full constellation Scatter each cloud that would darken a star ! Up with our banner bright, etc. Empire unsceptered! what foe shall assail thee, Bearing the standard of Liberty's van ? Think not the God of thy fathers shall fail thee, Striving with men for the birthright of man ! Up with our banner bright, etc. Yet if, by madness and treachery blighted, Dawns the dark hour when the sword thou must draw, Then with arms of thy millions united, Smite the bold traitors to Freedom and Law! Up with our banner bright, etc. Lord of the Universe! Shield us and guide us, Trusting thee always through shadow and sun! Thou hast united us who shall divide us? Keep us, oh keep us the Many in One! Up with our banner bright, Sprinkled with starry light, Spread its fair emblems from mountain to shore, While through the sounding sky Loud rings the Nation's cry, — Union and Liberty! One evermore! THE REV. S. F. SMITH, D. D. Author of "America," was born in Boston on October 21, 1808, and died in Newton Centre, Massachusetts, November 16, 1895. He graduated at Harvard College in 1829. He was Minister, Editor and Poet, but is best known as the author of the hymn "America," which Mr. Smith said, "I think, was written in the town of And over, Massachusetts, in February, 1832." The inspiration was given him one "leisure afternoon " when looking over some German music books at the request of his friend Mr. Lowell Mason, he fell in with the tune of "God Save the Queen," and immediately took up his pen and wrote the poem. It was first sung in public July 4, 1832, at a Children's Cele- bration in Park Street Church, Boston, Mass. Mr. Smith was not aware of the merit of his poem until it became famous, when he is said to have expressed much joy at having contributed something to the cause of American freedom. America My country, 'tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty Of thee I sing ; Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims' pride, From every mountain side Let Freedom ring. (77) 78 The American Flag My native country, thee, Land of the noble free, Thy name I love; I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills, My heart with rapture thrills Like that above. Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees Sweet Freedom's song; Let mortal tongues awake; Let all that breathe partake; Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong. Our fathers' God to Thee, Author of Liberty, To thee we sing, Long may our land be bright With Freedom's holy light, Protect us by thy might Great God, our King. FRANCIS SCOTT KEY* The author of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was born at Double Pipe Creek, Maryland, August 9, 1780, and died January 11, 1843. As a lawyer he was equalled by few and excelled by none, but he is known to posterity almost entirely as the author of " The Star-Spangled Banner" which was inspired while he was a prisoner during the attack on Fort Mc- Henry by the British, September, 1814. Just previous to the bombardment, Mr. Key visited the invading fleet under a flag of truce, in order to intercede for the release of Dr. Beans, who had been unjustly im- prisoned. Mr. Key was courteously received on board the British flagship by Vice- Admiral Cochrane but his visit happening three days before the intended attack on Baltimore and Fort McHenry he and his companion, Col. John S. Skinner, agent of the United States for Parole of Prisoners were in- formed that although Dr. Beans would be released they must all be detained until after a " certain important event." Accordingly the three Americans were transferred back to the United States cartel ship Minden, at the mouth of the Patapsco, where they were guarded by British Marines. From there Mr. Key witnessed the "certain important event" and composed the outlines of "The Star-Spangled Banner," describing in the poem what he actually saw and emotionally scribbling the first draft of it on the back of a letter. * By courtesy of F. S. Key-Smith, Great Grandson of Francis Scott Key, and author of "The Life of Key, author of The Star-Spangled Banner; What Else He Was, and Who." (79) 80 The American Flag During the contest his sleepless anxiety knew no rest. Alternate fear and hope spread alarm in his patriotic breast from 6 a. m., September 13, "till the dawn's early light," September 14, when he was thrilled with joy to find that " our flag was still there." Upon his release he proceeded to Baltimore where he wrote out the first complete draft of the song. 4 'The Star-Spangled Banner" was sung for the first time in the Union by Ferdinand Durang, a musician, who adapted the words to the old tune of" Anacreon in Heaven." According to some writers he rendered it mounted on an old rush bottom chair in a small tavern next to The Holiday Street Theatre where players "most did congre- gate," to prepare for the daily military drill in Joy Street, every able man being at that time a soldier. Mr. Key is buried in Frederick, Maryland. The flag of 1795 with fifteen stars and stripes was the one immortalized by Mr. Key. The Star-Spangled Banner* The Greatest Relic of the War of 1812 Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? * There are many versions of the poem. These words were taken from the copy of Francis Scott Key-Smith. The American Flag 81 On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses ? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream; 'Tis the star-spangled banner; oh, long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. And where are the foes that so vauntingly swore, That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion, A home and a country should leave us no more ? Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. Oh, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war's desolation, Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!" And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. Flag Etiquette The War and Navy Departments of the United States government require certain observances of the use of the flag. Many of the states also have specific laws for the flying of flags over school houses and other public buildings. There are no official prescribed rules for the flag when used in deco- ration. These are based upon the origin of a flag, and other facts, together with the customary forms of etiquette. Raising and Lowering the Flag The flag should not be raised before sunrise and it should be lowered at sunset (unless under siege or in a battle). It should not be displayed upon stormy days, unless obliga- tory (as in the United States Army where the Storm flag, of certain dimensions, is used). When the flag is displayed at half staff, it is lowered to that position from the top of the staff. It is afterwards hoisted to the top before it is finally lowered. On Memorial Day, May 30, the National flag should be displayed at half staff until noon then hoisted to the top of the staff where it remains until sunset. At all army posts and stations immediately before noon, the band or field music plays some appropriate air, and the National salute of 21 guns is fired at 12 m., at all posts and sta- tions provided with artillery. After this memorial tribute and the hoisting of the flag to the peak, the flag is saluted by playing one or more appropriate patriotic airs. When the flag is formally raised, all present during the ceremony should stand at attention, with hand raised to (82) The American Flag 83 forehead ready for the salute. The flag should never be allowed to touch the ground in the raising and lowering of it. The Hand Flag Salute The correct hand salute to the flag, as required by the regulations of the United States Army, is: standing at attention, raise the right hand to forehead over the right eye, palm downward, fingers extended and close together, arm at an angle of 45 degrees. Move hand outward about a foot, with a quick motion then drop to the side. When the colors are passing on parade, or in review, the spectator should, if walking, halt, if sitting, arise, stand at attention, and uncover. Oral Flag Salute For school children in the primary department the fol- lowing is recommended: "We, give our heads and our hearts to God and our country : One country, one language, one flag." For advanced pupils the National salute: "I pledge allegiance to my flag, and to the Republic for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." When Portrayed The flag when portrayed (alone) by any illustrative pro- cess, should always have the staff so placed that it is at the left of the picture, the fabric floating to the right. 84 The American Flag Used in Unveiling Monuments When the flag is used in unveiling a statue or monu- ment, it should not be allowed to fall to the ground, but should be carried aloft to wave out, forming a distinctive feature during the remainder of the ceremony. "The Star-Spangled Banner"* Whenever "The Star-Spangled Banner" is played all persons within hearing should rise and stand, uncovered, during its rendition. The same respect should be observed toward the National air of any other country, when it is played as a compliment to official representatives of such country. The playing of " The Star-Spangled Banner" as part of a medley is prohibited and it should never be played as an exit march. On Parade When the flag is on parade, it should always be carried on the staff to fly above the marching columns. When car- ried with any other flag, the Stars and Stripes should be at the right. When carried with many it should precede all others. Used on Bier When the flag is placed over a bier or casket, the union should be at the head. Desecration of the Flag No advertisement can be placed upon the flag nor can it be used as a trade-mark. It should not be worn as the whole or part of a costume, and when worn as a badge it should be pinned over the left breast or to the left collar lapel. * "The Star-Spangled Banner" has never been formally adopted by Congress as our National anthem, but by the recognition given to it by the Army and Navy it has become so. The American Flag 85 Worn Out Flags When a flag is beyond repair, if it has been in service, it should be removed from the staff and framed, under glass, like a picture. If this is impossible it should be in- cinerated, thus placing it beyond all possible desecration. Used in Decoration out of Doors Every patriotic American citizen should emphatically protest against the debasing of our National Emblem when used , incorrectly, in decoration. All flags in the United States Army are suspended from the staff and in no other way. The flag descended directly from the heraldic banners and pennons of the knights of feudal times; for this reason it should hang, preferably, from the staff; if this is impossi- ble there is but one other way to display it: namely, sus- pended across a thoroughfare, (commonly termed), as "a Banner," where it can not be exposed to self-destruction, by striking against a building. When displayed in this way, the union should fly to the north, in streets running east and west, and to the east, in streets running north and south. Used in Decoration in Doors The most dignified and impressive way to display the flag, when indoors, is several arranged in a " glory," or in a cluster, the staffs radiating from a common centre. An- other way is with the foot of the staff fastened to the wall, the flag hanging directly therefrom, above the heads of the assembly. In crossing the flag with any other the Stars and Stripes should be at the right. When the flag is hung ver- tically, so it can be viewed from one side only, the union should be at the right, as one faces it, thus placing the flag 86 The American Flag right side out. When hung vertically, so it can be viewed from both sides, the union should be placed at the right, (of the building, which is determined by facing in the same direction as the building). When the flag is displayed hori- zontally, as if on the staff, so it can be viewed from one side, only, the union should be placed at the left, as one faces it; thus placing the flag right side out; when hung horizontally, so it can be viewed from both sides, the union should be at the right (of the building). The flag should never be placed below a person sitting, it should never be struck, and nothing should ever rest upon it, unless it is the Bible. The flag should never be draped, or twisted into rosettes, thus distorting and changing the shape of our sacred banner and using it as a fabric bought by the yard. Strips of red, white and blue bunting can be used effectively for drapery; when these are hung horizontally, the blue one representing the blue field of the flag should be at the top. Days when the Flag" should be Flown Lincoln's birthday, February 12, (born in 1809). Washington's birthday, February 22, (born in 1732). Inauguration Day, March 4, when the President of the United States is inaugurated, every four years. Battle of Lexington, April 19, (1775), when the first bat- tle of the American Revolution took place. Battle of Manila Bay, May 1, (1898), when Admiral Dewey won a victory over the Spanish, in which none of his men or ships were lost. Mother's Day, second Sunday in May. In honor of the American Mother "the fountain head of the State." (A Resolution of Congress in 1914). Memorial Day, May 30, when ceremonies take place in The American Flag 87 memory of the soldiers and sailors who fell in the Civil War, (1861-1865). Flag Day, June 14, (1777), the official birthday of the Stars and Stripes. Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, (1775), which proved that inexperienced soldiers could resist regular troops, as George Washington expressed it, ''The liberties of the country are safe." Independence Day, July 4, (1776), when the Declara- tion of Independence was adopted, by the Continental Congress. Labor Day, first Monday in September, when the labor- ing class all over the United States parades to uphold justice in labor. Lake Erie Day, September 10, (1813), when an entire British squadron, surrendered to Commodore 0. H. Perry. Lake Champlain Day, September 11, (1814), when an American fleet gained a great victory, and prevented the British from invading New York. Columbus Day, October 12, (1492), when the new world was discovered. Battle of Saratoga, October 17, (1777), when General Burgoyne surrendered his entire army of 5000 men to Gen- eral Gates, thus the crisis of the American Revolution was reached. Surrender of Yorktown, October 19, (1781), when Lord Cornwallis, and about seven thousand British troops, sur- rendered to Washington. This victory decided the result of the American Revolution. Concerning Flags There is a variety of flags, known as standards, en- signs, jacks, pennants, boat, guidons, etc. The National flag, when used by the Army, is called the standard, also the colors. When borne, with a state flag, the two are called u a stand of colors." The National flag is known in the Navy as an ensign. The Union Jack, the distinctive flag of the Navy, is the blue canton of the National flag, with the white stars. . Boat flags and pennants are used to indicate the rank of Army and Navy officers. Pennants are also used, during the performance of public functions, as the church pennant, the meal pennant, etc. They are of various shapes. Their colors and devices denote the class of service and the mili- tary or naval division represented. That borne by a man- of-war in service is very long, practically a streamer. About one-third of its length it has a row of white stars on a blue field, the remainder being one red and one white stripe. The Church pennant, a blue cross on a white ground, is the only flag which may be raised above the Stars and Stripes. Guidons are used to designate batteries, companies, regiments or troops, etc., and are inscribed with numbers or letters distinguishing the various bodies. They are usu- ally small and may be square, pointed or notched at ends. The several branches of military service have distinctive colors : Infantry Regiments, blue ; Battalions of Engineers, Field Artillery, and Coast Artillery Corps, scarlet; Cavalry, two red and white horizontal stripes ; Signal Corps, orange ; Field Hospitals and Ambulance Companies, maroon; Hos- pital Service, white with red Geneva cross. (88) The American Flag 89 The President of the United States has a blue flag with a five-pointed white star in each of the four corners. The design in the centre is the official coat of arms of the United States without the "sky azure charged with the thirteen mullets;' ' instead of which, four stars, or mullets, are placed directly at the right of the eagle's head, and the other nine, in a curved line above the motto, "E Pluribus Unum." Added to this, above all are thirteen moons, -which, to- gether with the stars are pierced by golden rays. The Sec- retary of War has a red flag -with a five-pointed white star in each of the four corners and bearing in the centre the official coat of arms of the United States ; Assistant Secre- tary of War, has a white flag with same design, the stars being red. Secretary of the Navy, an anchor and four stars in white upon a blue field ; Admirals have blue flags with four white stars. A Rear-Admiral's flag may be blue or red with two white stars. The red one is flown by juniors, when in the presence of seniors, and the blue one by seniors, and by all Rear- Admirals, when alone. The grade of Com- modore has ceased to exist, as a grade of rank on the active list, in the United States Navy. The Naval despatch flag has five blue mullets upon a white field; Naval convoy flag, pointed, white with red border; revenue, sixteen vertical red and white stripes; the canton, white with blue eagle and stars; lighthouse flag, pointed, white with red border, a lighthouse upon the white field ; quarantine flag, yellow ; United States yacht ensign, thirteen red and white stripes, with blue canton bearing white anchor in circle of white stars. A flag displayed Union down is a signal of distress. The salute to a national flag is 21 guns. It is the custom of foreign ships of war on entering a 90 The American Flag harbor or passing near a fortification to display at the main the flag of the country in whose waters they are, and to salute it. On the completion of the salute to the flag, a salute of the same number of guns should be promptly returned by the designated saluting station. The salute to the flag is the only salute that is returned and this is invariably done as soon as possible. The time intervening should never exceed twenty-four hours. Salutes are not fired between sunset and sunrise and not on Sunday unless required by international courtesy. As a rule salutes are fired between 8 a. m. and sunset. The National flag should always be displayed at the time of firing a salute. The flag of a military post should not be dipped by way of salute or compliment. Flag Day Exercises Suggested Flag Day Program for High 1. Singing— America 2. Declamation — The Stars and Stripes 3. Recitation— Union and Liberty 4. Recitation— Old Flag . 5. Singing — Battle Hymn of the Republic . 6. Essay — The Evolution of our Flag 7. Recitation— The Name of Old Glory 8. Patriotic Quotations 9. Recitation — Our Flag . . . 10. Singing — Hymn to the National Flag . 11. Declamation— Gettysburg Speech . 12. Recitation— The Blue and the Gray 13. Salute to the Flag 14. Singing — The Star-Spangled Banner Schools Smith Sumner Holmes Parker Howe Riley Sangster Preston Lincoln Fitch Key Suggested Program for Blementary Schools 1. Singing— America Smith 2. Recitation— The Flag Goes By Bennett 3. Recitation — The American Flag . . . Drake (91) 92 The American Flag 4. Singing — Columbia the Gem of the Ocean . Reckot 5. Declamation — The Flag of our Country Winthrop 6. Essay — The Progress of the American Flag 7. Singing — The Flower of Liberty . . . Holmes 8. Recitation— Old Flag Parker 9. Recitation — Banner of America . . McCarthy 10. Singing— Song to the Flag .... Tufts 11. Patriotic Quotations 12. Singing— There's a Beautiful Flag (Trio and Cho.) 13. Salute to the Flag 14. Singing — The Star-Spangled Banner . . Key Program for a Complete Celebration 1. Singing — America Smith 2. Play " The First Flag " . . Margaret Merrington 3. Salute to the Flag 4. Singing — The Star-Spangled Banner . . Key " t ( IL'V