Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-05-18

An interesting history of the American
Flag has been given In connection with an
essay upon the Origin and Use of Seals by
Albert Wadhams, Esq, lately published.
Previously to the battle of Bunker Hill
the colonists used flag combining the
crosses of st. George and st. Andrew The
battle of Bunker Hill was fought under a
red flag bearing the motto "Come if you
dare
The first regular army flag Of the Rev9-
ton was red flag with the notices "Qui
transullt sustinet and An appeal to heay-
en-, -=one motto on each side.
This Flag was carried until the first fJan-
uary, l776, when the Union Flag vas first
uninrled by General Washington over the
American camp, at Camprluge, composed
OF thirteen stripes, alternate red and white,
symbolizing the thirteen reyolted colonies.
In the upper corner, on a blue field, the
crosses of st. George and ST. Andrew were
blended, as they are in the British Union
Jack. The idea of the stripes was derived
from the crest of the Washington family.
DIR. Franklin, Mr. Lynch, and Mr. Harrison
devised this flag, which was called in camp
and elsewhere, the Great Union Flag.
In June, lit, the stars were substituted by
law, for the British crosses ON the field of
blue, and the common name "the Stars and
Stripe" became general By three acts of
Congress the Flag has reached its present
permanent character.
The first has been already noticed the
second enacted that the flag should be form
ed OF fifteen stripes, alternate red and white,
and fifteen white stars in a blue field This
act was passed In 1894 The third enact
ment made in April, 1918, established the
present Flag. It discarded the two stripes
which had been added to recognize the adj
mission of Vermont and Kentucky into the
Union. The Stars and Stripes were first
unfurled in October, I777, at the surrender
Of Gen. Burgoyne, the law establishing the
Flag not having been promulgated till the
September previously.
The stars represent the constellation of
States, the idea having been taken from the
Constellation Lyra which signifies harmoni-
Gus action. The blue field was taken from
the Coyenanter' banner, in Scotland, and
was significant of the league and covenant
of the United Colonies against oppression.
The stars were arranged In a circle, the sym
Dol Ofeternity, and signlfied the perpetuity of
the Union. The stripes showed the origin
al number of the United Colonies, and,
joined with the stars, the subordination to,
and dependence upon the Union, as well as
equality among themselves. The red color
denoted daring, the white purity, and the
blue harmony. In the Revolution, the
Flag had thirteen stars, in the war of 1872,
fifteen that flag which was planted in the
national palace of Mexico had thirty stars,
and the one on the capitol at Richmond,
after its occupation by Grants army count
ed thirty-six stars upon its field Of blue.
Every true American views this ensign of
his country with gratitude and pride, regar-
ding it as a memorial Of the patriotism Of
the founders and preservers of the nation,
and the symbol of unity, equality, and per-
petulty of the great brotherhood of States
in this fair land. That 1t may exist, honor
ed at home and abroad, the banner of a
great, glorious, and good nation, while time
endures, is the heartfelt wish of every pa
triot, as he beholds its waving folds in the
free air and sunlight Of bis native or adop-
ted land
Long may it waive Let it be the aim
and purpose Of parents in the North and
the South. in the East and the West, to
teach their children to honor, defend and
love that glorious flag to count him an
enemy to his country who speaks lightly Of
the Stars and Stripes; and to cherish it as
the symbol Of national honor and power,
the Flag of every true hearted American in
the redeemed and indiyisible Union