American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-01-15
OUR NATIONAL FLAG.

OUk NATIONAL FLAGs
The year 1916 not only listened TO the
Declaration Of Independence, announcing
the birth of q 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 IS 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
flag, and SO 'sOld Glory" was born On
the I'd of January, 1916, just 100 years
ago.
The idea of 50 union fiag," 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 EngIish flag had been the red cross of
ST. George on Q white field, but in 1906
King James ]. combined with it the white
cross of St. Andrew on q 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
which took its present form in 1901, when
the cross Of Ut. Patrick was added to the
other two. The cross of St. George was
the banner which led the English advent
uren, to their first conquest in America,
6o1bQessly waved over the Puritans
xhen+ on that bleak December day, they
knelt on the "stern and rock-bound
COAST at Plymouth. It reminded them
Of the old country which they still loved
and of the many dear ones whom they
had-left behind.
But the detestation of "Popery" was SO
strong and unconquerabie among the
Puritans that they 'abhorred everything
which reminded them of it, and many
were found who disliked the cross in the
oanner because it hal been given to En-
gland by q Pope. This feeling gradually
increased till, in 1884, Mr.. EndicOtt tore
out part of the cross from the flag then
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
ministers of ipswich met in Boston to see
If it was right to keep the cross in. the
banner. They failed to agree, and the
subject was referred 10 the General Court.
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 |
hat fro and
not flying the Kings colors. SO, being |
fearful Of displeasing the English Gov
eminent, the colonists 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 tine 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-
their rights, and bore such mot
loes as ITO His Most Gracious Majesty
% George Rex and the Liberties of Amer
ica-" Others, however, were holder,
bearing only Liberty" or Liberty
and Prosperity" or Liberty and Union"
In January, IRIS, the sleds which brought
wood to boston carried small union flags
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 trdastulit sustinet-" God, who trans
ported us hither, will support u.s." The ;
motto of Massachusetts was IAN AppeaI
70 Heaven" Her flag was white, bear !
ing the motto and a green pine-tree ,
South Carolina had an ensign of blue. ,
with a white crescent made by order of 1
Col. Moultrie. 1t was the flag which,
.hree years later, called forth the heroism ,
Of Sergt Jasper. During the lombard :
ment OF Fort Sullivan by the British feet,
under Sir Peter Parker, the crescent flag
was shot away and fell outside the fort.
5ergt. Jasper sprang over the parapet,
walked the whole length of the fort in the
midst of terrible storm of shot and shell,
the flag, and, In sight of the
whole fleet, planted it again on the ram
parts. At the battle of Lexington the
Americans probably carried no flag, and it
IS doubtful if they had any at Bunker Hill.
Some poetry of that time speaks of the
= waving streamers," and it is also said {
hat our troops carried a red flag bearing
he words. "Come if you dare" But
he accounts of the battle, published at the