The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-05-12
Gbs fsIitiara 9enlotrat.


with the American Revolution were signif-
cantly enough catitled Union Flags" No
account is given of the devices upon them.
They are frequently spoken Of in the news
papers Of 1774. N M
The Connecticut troops fixed upon their
drums in ITS, the motto Qui 7ra'sstu!it
Sustinnet, around it in letters Of gold, liter
ally" God, who transplants us hither, will
support us. This was the motto. Each
regiment was distinguished by its color
blue, orange, &c. lI
July Is, 1776, General Israel Putnam
glorious Old unfurled flag at
Cambridge, Mass, on the joyful occasion Of
the reception in that town Of the Declare
ton of Independence, bearing the motto on
each side, An appeal of Heaven;" and on
the other, "Qm TranstulI Sustinet." This
flag was flung to the breeze amid the roar Of
cannon and the shouts of the people. 1t is
said at the time that the Philistines on
Bunkers Hill heard the cheers of the israe-
lites Israel Putnam and being fearful, par
AIDED themselves in battle array" The flag
was a red one--the signal of defiance or bat
tie since the days Of the Romans.
In september, 1855, Colonel Moultrie
unfurled large blue flag with crescent
in one corner. THIS was the first Ameri-
can flag displayed in South Carolina, and
was used at the taking of Fort Johnstown
on James Island. The crescent is tho en-
blem of sovereignty.
A standard, with white ground, pine
tree in the middle, and the motto, appeal to
Heaven" was adopted in October, 1885, as
the flag of the floating batteries.
On January 2, 1776, the day that gave
birth to the new American Army-the flag
designated as "The Great Union Standard
was hoisted. This was the basis of that of
the present day.
In 1776 was adopted the standard to be
used by the Commandcr-in Chef of the
American Navy, being lively represent
alton of the rattlesnakc in the middle, in
the attitude Of striking" Underneath were
the words, Don't tread on me-"
The same year the cruisers of the Colony
of Massachusetts hoisted white flag with a
green pine tree, and the motto, ".Apeh to
Heaven"
July IA; TIT, Congress passed the fol.
lowing resolutions:
Resolved That the flag of the thirteen
United States be thirteen stripes, alternate
ly red and white, that the union be thirteen
stars, in blue field; representing new
constellation.
This was the origin of the national flag
of the United States-the glorious Stars
and Stripes which have proudly waved
since that day over many of the greatest
victories of modern times; that stirs the
blood of every true hearted citizen whenever
Or wherever he beholds it floating on the
breeze-that waves in every part Of the
world, and that is everywhere respected,
on sea and on shore.
The above resolution was made public
September 2, TIT, According to Col
Trumbull the flag made in pursuance of it'll
was first used at the surrender of Burgoyne,
October Is of the same year. This was a
glorious beginning, truly for this was one
of the mostimportant victories of the Amer
lean arms during the Revolution.
The first change in the national colors
was directed under the following enactment
of Congress adopted January 10, 1894.
Be it enacted, &C., That from and after
the first day of May, 1895, the flag of the
United States be fifteen stripes alternate
red and white. That the Union be fifteen
stars with blue field
This was the flag Of the United States
during the war of 1812-'l4.
In 1898 the flag of the United States
was again altered. On the suggestion oil
Hon. Mr.. Wendover, of New York, re-
turn was made to the thirteen stripes, as it'll
was anticipated that the flag would become
unwicldly if a stripe was added on the adj
mission Of each state, and moreover, by the
plan proposed, the Union of the old thir-
teen States, as the number of States COM
posing the Union would be represented by
the flag Of the United States. Mr.. Wen
dover also proposed the arrangement of all
the stars in the union into the form of sin
gle star.
The resolution of 1918 was as follows.
Resoiued, That, from and after the Attn
day of July next, the flag of the United
States be thirteen horizontal stripes, alter
nate white and red: That the union be
twenty stars whitein blue field.
And that, on the admission of new
State into the union, one star be added to