The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-07-17
THE STARS AND STRIPES.
The FlnK OF tho United StutcA.-Tho First
FlpE md the Lust one--Thlrty-cIEht
StUrE,

Tho FInK OF tho United Srutra.-Tho First
FlnE md the Lust ne--ThIrty-cIEht
Stars.
Tho pine tree was early adopted rs the
provincial emblem OF that community
from which the States OF Massachusetts,
and Maine were subsequently erected.
1t appeared on the shillIngs and sixpen-
ces coined by Massachusetts in 1862, and
when Maine was divorced from the Buy
State, in 1920, the pine tree was pic
tured on her escutcheon and gave its
name to the new State. When tho New
England colonists began to chafe under
the rule of Great Britain, one OF tho
first symptoms OF growing rebellion was
m aversion for the "meteor flag OF Eng.
land" Massachusetts not only led in
the revolt against British oppression,
hut she furnished tho vessels that were
to bear flag which should, in some fee
bic but determined sort, express hostili-
ty to the mother country. The pine tree
flag OF the sturdy little commonwealth,
30 far as We know, was the first which
braveI the ire OF Great Britain. Long
before the time Of the Declaration our
bold privateers flew tho Pine tree flag.
Elrly, too, the Cqrolinians, possibly nc.
ceptiug the suggestion made by the
Northern pine, adopted tho palmetto rs
their ensign of sovereignty. But the
first Republican fling in the South was
one designed by Col. William Moultrie,
OF Charleston. 1t was OF blue, with n
white crescent in the upper corner, next
the staff. This hag waved on the defen.
ses OF Charleston, and When Fort Sulli
van, afterward Moultric, was lombard.
ed by the British, June 90, 1776, the
crescent flag hoated above the palmetto
logs OF the east bastioN. In the early
years of tho Revolution, the Southern
palm waved Mt the head OF gallant South
Carolinian regiments, strugg ing where
the fight was thickest. In time, rs we
know, the palmetto was transferred to
the State shield, Just as the pine tree
became the symbol OF Maine, and as,
many years after, the lone star Of Texas
was blazoned on tue coat OF arms OF that
State, aud as, in like manner, the griz.
ly bear rudely painted with berry juice
on the white banner Of tho SonOm val.
ley adventurous in 1876, eventually be.
came the "totcm" OF the young State
of California.
Another revolutionary Device was the
mttlesnnke, an American product OF
dangerous proclivities. THIS was blazon.
ed on the flag Of Commodore EselS
Hopkins, who commanded the fleet oil
privateers which sailed from the Della.
ware capes in 1776. The reptile was
pictured on yellow field with the
motto Don't tread on mol" Another
form Of tho same design gave the field
with thirteen stripes, red and white,
across which the serpent spread his un.
dulating length. Before Hopkins sail.
ed, however, Washington had hoisted at
Cambridge, Mass. (Jan. Q, 177G), tho
'1Grand Union" flag, n banner in which
the blended crosses Of st. George aud
st. Andrew were retained in the union,
while the thirteen stripes typi6cd the
new compact OF the colonies. At the
battle OF Bunker bill, it is said, the pine
tree figured i'll white square in the red
cross OF st. George, which filed the
upper corner next tue staff; the field Of
that flag was blue. There were other
notifications OF the various emblems
already III use among the colonies. The
beaver OF New York had its place in
ensigns OF the first armed ships which
sailed out Of this harbor. Not until
June II, TIT, did our national flag as.
sumo definite shape md color. During
all this time, uncertain what they were,
or what political condition they should
reach, our forefathers thought less Of
an ensign than Of tho results Of theil
struggle. The country had been de
clared independent Of Great Britain; all
signs OF British domination must disap
pear. The Congress ordered that "tbe
flag OF tho thirteen United States be
Thirteen stripes, alternate red aud white;
that the union IL thirteen stars, white III
n blue field, representing new constel
lation." At first the stars wero ar,
ranged in II circle; subsequently, when
additional States entered tho Union
Congress formally increased the number
of stars to fifteen, and these assumed
the form Of one large star. In 1918 il
was ordered by Congress that new
star should BIO added 10 the constella
tio1 on the fourth OF July next snc
ceeding tho admission Of a new State
Colorado, therefore, gives us the thirty
eighth star i'll our azure July 4, 1877,
one hundred years after the formal
adoption Of the flag Of the Union.