Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1876-01-14
OUR NATIONAL FLAG.

THE year 1776 not only listened to the
Declaration of Independence, announcing
the birth of nation, but it also witnessed
the first unfolding Of the flag which has
become the symbol of mighty power,
the pride of many million souls, and
which will float as long as the principles
of that Declaration dwell in the hearts of
men. But the flag came before the
Declaration There must be some sturdy
fighting done before such bold words are
spoken, and men cannot fight without a
flag, and so Old Glory was born on
the I'd of January, i776, just 100 years
ago.
The idea of union flag" as it was
called, had long been familiar to the
American colonists. The flags in use
throughout the provinces before the Revo-
luton were chiefly those of England, and
though there were many other devices
they were nearly always coupled with
some feature Of the British cOlors. The
old English flag had been the red cross OF
ST. George on white field, but in 1906
King James I. combined with it the white
cross of st. Andrew on a blue field, be-
cause England and Scotland had then be-
come united in one Kingdom. In 1907
the color of this flag was changed to
crimson, and the crosses which had be-
fore filled the whole banner were now
confined to the upper corner. This was
the famous "meteor flag of England,
which took its present form in 1901, when
the cross of st. Patrick was added to the
other two. The cross of st. George was
the banner which led the English advent
urers to their first conquest In America,
and doubtlessly waved over the Puritans
hor low hoy
knelt on the "stern and rOck-bOund
cOast' at Plymouth. 1t reminded them
of the old country which they still loved
and Of the many dear ones whom they
had lett behind.
But the detestation of "Popery'' was so
strong and uncOnquerable among the
Puritans that they abhorred everything
which reminded them of it, and many
were found who disliked the cross in the
banner because it had been given to En-
gland by Pope. This feeling gradually
Increased till, in 1884, Mr.. Endicott tore
out part of the cross from the flag then
flying at Salem. This was thought by
some to mean treason, but at the trial 1t
appeared that Endicott was moved only
by belief that it was idolatrous to let
the cross remain. Two months later the
if it was right to keep the cross in the
banner. They failed to agree, and the
subject was referred to the General Court.
Meanwhile the military officers ordered
all designs to be laid aside. In Decem-
Der. 1886, it was ordered that all the col
ors should have the Kings arms instead
of the crosses, and this new flag was raised
over the fort in Boston harbor. But this
unsettled state of affairs had made much
trouble in the fort. While the colony was
without colors the castle looked like de-
serted fortress, and, after the new ensign
was adopted, English sailors complained
that the people were traitors and rebels
not flying the Kings colors. So, being
fearful of displeasing the English Gov
eminent, the colenists allowed the regu-
lar standard to float over the castle, but
nowhere else in the province.. Dutch Wis
itors to Boston as late as 1880 noticed that
the flags contained no crosses, while the
pine tree was favorite device. The red
cross of st. George, however, gradually
worked its way back into favor until, in
1907, the union flag created by James l.,
in 1906, was ordered by Parliament for
general use in all the Colonies.
These high handed dealings with the
flag tell us how early the American colo
nists began to show that spirit of indie
pendence which finally made them sep
arate nation. As the exciting times drew
near the growing spirit was again man
ifested in the same way. The ten years
preceding the outbreak of the Revolution
saw an abundant variety of devices and
notices on the flags, all speaking of the
feelings which were moving the popular
heart. They formed bands called Sons of
Liberty, and liberty poles were raised
throughout the Colonies. Many of the
flags showed the old loyalty while de-
manding their rights, and bore such mot
toes as ITO His Most Gracious Majesty
George Ill, Mr.. Pitt and Liberty"
g George Rex and the Liberties of Amer
ica." Others, however, were holder,
bearing only g Liberty" or Liberty
and Prosperity" or Liberty and Union"
In January, TITS, the sleds which brought
wood to Boston carried small union flags;
everywhere a vague desire for liberty
filled mems hearts and spoke from the
folds of their banners.
During the first months of the war each
State had its own flag. The banner of
Connecticut contained the arms Of the
State and the motto, in golden letters:
Qui transtallst sustiaet-" God, who trans
ported us hither, will support u.s." The
motto of Massachusetts, was g An Appeal
to Heaven Her flag was white, bear
ing the motto and o green pine-tree.
South Carolina had an ensign Of blue,
with white crescent, made by order of
Col Moultrie It was the flag which,
three years later, called forth the herolsm