East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-06-06

History Of the American Flag.

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in work published some years ago on
on the american F2ag, says: "The first
colors spoken Of in connection with the
American Revolution, were significantly
enough called "Union Flags" No ao'
count is given Of the devices upon them
They are frequently spoken Of in the
newspapers of IVA.
In September, 1l75, Colonel Moultrie
unfurled large blue flag, with q cres'
cent in one corner. This was the first
American flag displayed in South Caro-
lima, and was used at the taking Of Fort
Johnson. or James Island. The crescent
is an emblem of sovereignty. saaj .tl
On January I'd, 1l76-the day that
gave birth to the new American Army
the flag designated as "Thc Great Union
Standard was hoisted. This was the
basis Of the National Flag Ct TIC prosel;
day. ~ 1ol.d tafr
In 1776, was adopted the standard to
be used by the COMMANDMENTS Chief OF
the Ameaican Navy. "being q yel
low field with a lively representation
of rattlesnake in the middle, in the at
titude of striking" Underneath were the
words, "Don't tread on me-"
June Nth, 1777, Congress passed the
following resolution .
"ResOiged, That the Flag of the Thir
teen United States be thirteen stripes, al
ternate red and white, that the Union be
thirteen stars, white, in a blue field, rep
resenting new Constitution" s Lad
This was the origin of the. National
Flag of the United States--tle, glorious
"stars and stripesn--whioh has proudly
waved since that day over many of the
greatest victories of modern times that
stirs the blood of every true-hearted citi-
zen when ever he beholds it floating to
the breeze that waves in every part of
the world, and that is everywhere honor
ed and respected on sea and shore.
The above resolution was made public
September 3D., l777. According to Col.
Trumbull, the flag made in pursuance Of
it was first used at the surrender o! Bur-
goyne, October the l7th, of the same
year. This was glorious beginning,
truely I; for that was one of the most in-
portant victories of the American army
during the Revolution.-The first change
in the national colors was directed in the
following enactment Of Congress, adopted
January 18th, l794:
"Be IL enacted, etc., That from and af-
ter the 1st day Of May, I795, the Flag
of the United States be fifteen stripes, al
ternately red and white that the Union
be fifteen stars, white in a blue field"
This was the Flag of the United States
during the war of 1Sl2-l4. .,....ts
In 1918 the Flag of the United States
was again alterd. On suggestion Of the
Hon. Mr.. Wendover, of the State of New
York, return was made to thirteen
stripes, as it was anticipated that the flag
would become unweldly if a stripe was
added on the admission of each State ;
and moreover, by the plan proposed
namely, the addition Of star for each
new State-thc Union of the old thirteen
States, as well as the number of States
comprising the existing Union, would
be presented by the Flag of cur United
States. Mr.. Wendover also proposed the
arrangement Of the stars in the Union in
the form of single star. The resolution
of 1918 was as follows:
"Resolced, 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 on blue
field and that on the admission Of a new
State into the Union one star be added
to the Union Of the flag; and that
such addition shall take effect the on
fourth Of July succeeding such admis
sion."
The Flag planted on the national pal
ace in the city of Mexico had thirty stars
in the Union. 1t is now deposited, in the
Department of State at Washington.
Coop ADvIcE.---If limb or other
parts Of the body be severely cut, and
the blood runs out by spirits or jerks, be