The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-09-11
Our Flag.

L
'Could you tell us through the columns
of your valuable paper 'loho made the
first american fagP and obhge
"A oNsTANT READER"
The subject of National flags has
always been one of interest to the his
torian and the arch9ologist. A flag is
presumed to represent certain ideas or
by its symbols, as a motto
would express them by words. A COM
bination of these symbols going to make
up the entirety of a national flag is re-
sorted to for giving symbolic expression
to composite ideas addressed to the
common mind Of the world.
National flags were not adopted until
long after the use of flags had been COM
mon among chiettains Of various tribes
ana clans in feudal times bearing de-
vices and emblems significant OF their
peculiar character or career; and which
we're used more as gaidoas, or rallying
points for their followers on the march
or in the field, than as significant of any
idea OF general nationality. These in
sigma led TO or were incorporated into
family ''coats of arms;" the great num-
bers and intricate complications OF
which ultimately required special
science for their regulation and inter-
probation, and led to the institution Of
the "COllege OF Heraldry."
This Science OF Heraldry, during feu-
dal times in Europe, was held in high
repute among the nobility; and was fire.
quently resorted to for the determine
tion Of questions involving titles and
| lineage. Like every other science 1t
adopted its own technology, then re-
garded as very learned and exact, but
| now considered as the merest jargon,
| and is almost incomprehensible. In
| those times the adoption or alteration OF
a flag, or coat-ot-arms, had to be sane
| toned by aud recorded in the College of
| Heraldry, where it's "quarterings" were
| duly defined and expounded.
1t has been stated that the American
Flag was originally derived from the
coat Of arms hereditary in the family OF
General Washington, and of ancient
date in the European College OF Her
aldry. But there is nothing to verify
this, and the statement is probably
merely fanciful. The War of the Revo-
luton was fought without any common
flag of a national character. 1t can not
be ascertained that any flag at all was
used at the battle of Bunker Hill;
though subsequently the "pine-tree
fag' was the most common one to New
England; and the first armed vessels
commissioned by Congress carried this
pine-tree flag. Colonel Moultrie al
| Charleston raised a blue flag with a
white crescent in the tleld-''argent on
AZURE" This was in 1775; and was the
first flag Of independence raised in the
South.
In 1776, on taking command at Cam
bridge as General-in-C CHIEF, Washington
raised, over his own quarters, flag
composed, as now, OF thirteen alternate
red and white stripes, but with the
crosses of st. George and st. Andrew,
on a blue field, as in the present British
flag. The origin of this flag thus raised
by Washington is involved in obscurity
1t was then called the "Great Union.'
One year afterwards, 1777, the Declara'
ton OF Independence having meanwhile
been proclaimed, Congress changed the
flag raised by Washington, SO far as the
J st. George and st. Andrew were con.
cerned, and adopted the thirteen stripes
! white and red, with thirteen stars ou
blue field, representing new constella.
tion."
Upon the admission of Kentucky into
the Union, in 1894, Congress ordered the
number of stars to be fifteen, that being
then the number of States. And under
this flag the war of 1812-l5 was fought
In 1878 the present National Flag was
adopted, giving an additional star for
each additional State in the Union. This
flag took effect, as our national emblem,
on the Fourth OF July, 1918. Long may
it wavew
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