Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1868-02-29
Our National Flag.

In his oration, Are We Nation?' Charles
Sumner speaks thus of the history and signi6-
canoe of our national flag
"There is the national flag. He must be cold
indeed who can look upon its folds rippling in
the breeze without pride of country. If he be
in foreign land, the flag is companionship and
country ITSELF with all its endearments. Who,
as he sees it, can think of State merely ?
Whose eyes, once fastened upon its radiant tro-
phies, can fail to recognize the image of the
whole nation? ? 1t has been called floating
piece of poetry and yet l know not If 1t have
an intrinsic beauty beyond other ensigns. Its
highest beauty is in what it symbolizes. 1t is
because it represents all that all gaze at it with
delight and reverence. 1t is piece of bunting
lifted in the air but it speaks sublimely, and
every part has voice. Its stripes of alternate
red and white proclaim the original union of
thirteen States to maintain the Declaration of
independence. Its stars of white field of
blue proclaim that union of States constituting
our national constellation which receives a new
star with every State. The two together
signify union past and present. The very colors
have a language that officially recognized
BY our fathers. White is for purity; red for
valor blue for justice. And altogether, bunt-
ing stripes, stars, and colors blazing in the sky
make the flag of our country, to be cherished by
all our hearts, to be upheld by all our hands.
Not at once did this ensign come into being Its
first beginning was in the camp before Boston,
and it was announced by Washington in these
words The day which gave being to the new
army we hoisted the Union flag, in compliment
to the United Colonies The national forces
and the national flag began together. Shortly
after fleet of FIVE sail left Philadelphia amid
the acclamation of the people, according to the
language of the time, under the display of a
Union flag with thirteen stripes. This was prob
ably the same flag, not yet matured into its pres
ent form. In its corner, where are now the stars,
were the crosses of ST. George and St. Andrew
red and white, originally representing England
and Scotland, and when conjoined, after the
union of these two countries, known as the
Union To those were added the thirteen
stripes, alternate red and white, and the whole
was hailed as the Great Union Flag. The States
represented by the stripes were here in subordn-
alton to the national unity, represented by two
crosses But this form did not continue long.
Congress, by a resolution adopted l4th of June,
1777, determined that the flag of the United
States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and
white that the union be thirteen stars, white
on blue field, representing a constella-
tion.' Here the crosses of St. George and St.
Andrew gave place to white stars on blue
field the familiar symbol of British union gave
place to another symbol of union peculiar to
ourselves and this completed our national flag,
which little later hoated at the surrender of
Burgoyne. Long afterward, in 1918, it was pro-
vided by Congress that star be added on the
admission of every State, to take effect on the
4th of July next succeeding such admission.
Thus, in every respect, and at such stage of its
history, the national unity, the whole out
stretched, indivisble country, is seated in its
folds"
The BEE.-The bumble-bee is one NV natures
sekrets.
They probably have destiny tew fill, and are
probably necessary, if fellow only knew how.
They live apart from The rest of mankind, in
little circles, numbering about Is or 80 souls.
They are born about haying time, and are diff
ferent from emmy bug know ov they are the
biggest when they are first born. They resem-
bel some men in this respekt.
Their principle bisnus is maxim poor honey,
but they don't make emmy to sell.
Boys sumtimes rob them out ov a whole sum-
mer's work, but thare il one thing about bum
bel-bee that boys always watch dredful close,
and that il their helm.
had rather not have the bumbel-bee honey
thare il between here and the city of Jerusalem,
than tew have bumbel-bee hit me with his
helm when he Gums round suddin.
They are different from other war vessels the
helm alwuz minds the bumbel-bee.-Josh 0@-
Enos