The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-05-31

BIDDEF0RD MAINE, FRIDAY MORNING, 81,

tice, each star to glorify the state II may
represent, and the whole to be eloquent, for
ever, Of a union that mus. be {" one and in
separable."
Time would fail me to enter moro largely
into the details Of this history. Enough
has been said to show, in somo satisfactory
measure, the sources whence the materials OF
our flag was drawn. The old banner of Eng
land contributed its colos. Great men
made it their study. washington, Franklin.
Morris, Adams, Sherman, and many more Of
their immortal compccrs. gave II their thought
and care. And then 1t had to DO made q
fact to the world by the conflicts, bloodshcd,
and victories Of seven years war. 1t is
tho Gag that was gazed upon by the patriots
Of I" the times that tried mems souls" 1t
is the flag which they loved and honored,
and which at last they compelled their proud
enemies to acknowledge and respect 1t is
tho flag which became tho symbol OF our
national independence and glory.
And what precious associations have clus-
tered around It since! Not alone do our
fathers set up this banner in the name Of
God over the well.won battle-felds OF the
revolution, and over the cities and towns
which they rescued from despotic rule, but
think where also their descendants have car
ried It arc raised 1t in conquest or protec-
ton. Through what clouds of dust and
smoke It has passed-what storms ofshot and
shell-what scenes Of FIRE and blood Not
alone at Saratoga, at Monmouth, and ut
Yorktown, but at Lundy's Lane, and New
Orleans, at Buena Vista and Chepultepec.
1t is the same glorious old flag which, in
scribcd with the dying wards of Lawrence
+" Don't give up tho ship'-was .hoisted on
Lake Erie by Commodore Perry just on the
eve of his great naval victory-the same old
flag which our great chicftain bore in tri-
umph to the proud city Of the Astecs and
planted upon the heights Of the national pal
acc. Brave hands have raised 1t above the
eternal regions Of ice in the Arctic seas, and
have set It upon tho SUBMITS of the lofty
mountains in the distant West. Where has
1t not gone, the pride of its friends, tho ter
ror of its foes Z? What countries and what
seas has it not visited ? Where has not the
American citizen been able to stand beneath
its guardian folds and defy the world2 With
what joy and cxultation scamen and tourist
have gazed upon its stars and stripes, and
received from it the full sense Of security
and drawn from it the inspirations OF pat
riotism - BY it, how many have sworn
fealty to their country! What bursts Of
magnificent eloquence It has called forth
from Webster and from Everett-what lyric
ssrains of poetry from Drake and Holmes!
How many heroes its folds have covered in
death! How many have lived for 1t and how
many. have died for it : How many, living
and dying, have said in their enthusiastic de-
votion to its honor, like that young wounded
sufferer in the streets Of Baltimore, Z" Oh |!
the flag-thc Stars and the Stripes, and re-
wherever that flag has gonc it has been
tho Herald Of better day. 1t has been the
pledge of freedom, of justice, of order, of
civilization, and of Christianity. Tyrants
only have hated it, and tho enemies of man
kind alone have trampled it to the earth.
All, who sigh for the triumph Of Truth and
Righteousness, love and salute It.