The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-01-09

Aside from the honor and glory
which cluster about the American
flag, associated as it Is with unsur-
passed heroism and noble deeds, 1t
has another virtue. BY unanimous
voice of the world. it has been de-
clared unexcelled in its beauty. @The
banner OF beauty and glory" "The
star-spangled banner" "The broad
stripes and bright stars, The red,
white, and blue" have been the
themes OF the poet, as well as the In
spiration OF the noble men who have
carried them in the conflict against
oppression and for the rights OF man.
We haye no fears that there Is any
danger Of Americans becoming vain
or over-enthusiastic Ia their love and
veneration for the flag. II it were
possible we would excite In the minds
Of the young American tenfol
greater love for this banner of beau
ty." We would infuse such a spirit
of devotion to it as would hail its un-
folding upon all national holidays
with shouts OF welcome, or inspire
the populace to stand uncovered
when, tattered and torn, 1t returns
from the conflict. 1t Is just what
young America needs to-day. more
love OF country, deeper devotion
-for the flag We have got to be
such a nation OF GROWERS and cynics
that we are often In danger OF forget
ting that this emblem OF our country
floats over what, In spite OF its i'm
perfections, is yet the best and hap
piest land that the world affords. Not
that it has no foul spots. but that 1t
offers the opportunity for. and has
under the protection OF its banner,
more happy homes and less sorrow
Ing ones than any nation OF the earth.
"The History OF the First flag '
though often told more or less min
utely. still possesses an interest, and
especially to younger readers. Col.
j. F. Reigart, OF Harrisburg, Pa, has
just written q concise little account
OF Il, and from his sketch We gain
many interesting facts. There Is q
certain romance connected with the
emblem, from the fact that Ii was de-
signed and first made by patriotic
woman. Miss Elizabeth Griscom
was born in Philadelphia in l742- In
1762 she married John Ross. a mer-
chant Of that city. She was knows
la Philadelphia as being the most in
genious and finest embroiderer in the
city,, She delighted In her art. and
the most costly satins and velvet;
were imported to her orders. upon
which she displayed her marvellous
skill. She called to her aid her ais
ters, daughters. and nieces, SO that a
least a dozen were thus constantly
engaged in this class of work, ano
many relics are yet preserved a
souvenirs by the descendants OF tn,
old families. Among those upon he
list OF visitors were George Washing
ton, Genefal Hand, Thomas MifIiir
and Governor Morris. She adornet
the halls OF the Continental Congress
and the Governors reception room
She designed and made the strsamer
for Caleb and Thomas Cope's packs
shir-, OF red, white and blue. At th
request OF DIR. Franklin, Robert Nor
, ris, and Colonel George Ross, she de
signed sud made the first fiag OF th
United States, consisting Of thirtee
red and white stripes, blue field a
a square on the left and upper COZ
ner. Upon the blue field was u sprea
! eagle, with thirteen stars. in oircl,
+ OF rays Of glory surrounding its heaC
; This design. and another OF a shiel
7 Of red. white and blue on the breast {
E an eagle, holding In its talons an div
/ branch and thirteen arrows. and i
Its beak scroll, with the mott'
@E Pllsribt<s Unum,' was approve
by the committee. and adopted
. Congress. before the words, Unite
: States OF America were legally use,
The country was at that time calle
. Columbia. and the Congress va
: called aThe Continental Congress ,
the North American Colonies:" nsv
er'heless Betsy Ross worked upo
. her nag, In words Of prophetic visio
3 -sThe United States OF America
In ITS DIR. Franklin, Jchn Adam
E and Thomas Jefferson we're sppointe
|. secret committee Of Congress
prepare flag and seal. Upon I'll
9 fourth day Of July, l776, the Declar'
e e ton OF Independence. was signed an
read. The Rev. DIR. Duche, Chaplai
Of Congress, offered prayer, aud Be