Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-07-01
The American Flag.

This dav is the anniversary of the adoption OF
the American Flag. resolution having been IN
troduced in the American Congress, June 18Th,
1777. .sThat the flag of the thirteen Unltei
States be thirteen stripes, alternately red ana
white that the Union be thirteen stars, whits
| in blue field, representing new constellation.
There is striking coincidence between the De-
sign of our flag and the arms of Gen. Washlng-
ton, which consisted of three stars in the upper
portion and three bars running across the es-
cutcheon. 1t is thought by some that tne nag
was derived from this heraldic design. history
informs us that several flags were used by the
Yankees before the present national one was a.
dopted ey,
In March, ITS, minor flag with red held
was hoisted in New York, bearing the inscrip-
ton on one side of "George Rex and the iioer-
ties of America" and upon the reverse, mo
Popery." General Israel Putnam raised on FRO
spect Hill, July 18th, ITS, flag bearing on one
side the motto of our Commonwealth, Gul
transtulit sustnct;" on the other, "An appear 10
Heaven appeal well taken and amply sas'
tained In October, 1775, the floating patteries
of Boston bore flag with the latter motto, anu
a pine tree upon white field, bearing tne MAS,
sachusetts emblem. Some OF the colonies useo
in 1775 q flag with rattlesnake coiled as II a
bout to strike, and the motto, Don't tread OIL
me-"
On the I'd January, 1776, the grand union flag
of the stars and stripes was raised on the nelghtS
near Boston, and it is said that some OF tne re-
gulars made the grand mistake OF supposing IL
was O token of submission to the King. whose
speech had just been sent to the Americans
The British Register of TITO says: sfhey (the
rebels burnt the Kings speech, and changed
their colors from plain red ground to nag
with thirteen stripes as symbol OF the numDer
and union of the colonies" A letter from bos-
ton, published in the Pennsylvania Gazette, in
1776, says ''the union flag was raised on the "a
in compliment to the United Colonies"
The various flags we have mentioned, the
Pine Tree, Rattlesnake, and the Stripes, were
used according to the taste OF the patriots. until
July. TIT, when the stars and stripes were es.
tablished by law. At first stripe was added
for each new State, but the flag became too large,
and Congress forseeing, possibly the spirit OF an
nexation, reduced the stripes to the original
thirteen, and now the stars are made to cores
pond in number with the States.
The American flag is one Of the most beauti-
full that floats upon any land or sea. Its proper
tions are perfect when it is properly made-one
half as broad as it is long The first stripe, at
the top is red, the next white, and three colors
alternate, making the last stripe red. The blue
field for the stars is the width and square OF the
first seven stripes, viz four red and three white:
The colors of the American flag are in beautiful
relief, and it is altogether beautiful national
emblem. Long may it wave untarnshed. de
who would erase one stripe, or dim one star up
on it, 'sacts traitors part and deserves trait
ors doom.-Boston Herald, 10Th.