The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-10-09
AMERICAN COATS-oF-ARMS

Charles L. Hildreth.
COATS-0F-AIsNTS.
Labor Recognized in the Hcraidry OF
the New World.
An interesting subject-one that has
not yet received the attention to which
1t is entitled-is that of the recogni-
tion of industry in what might be
called American h.,raldry. The coats
of-arms and official emblems of old
world nations. as might be expected.
are monopolized by ideas Of pride and
warlike power. With popular rights
and peaceful industries the founders of
European dynasties and Kingdoms had
no sympathy. No less was it to be ex-
pecled, on the other hand. that SELF
governing communities of frugal and
industrious folk, set in land where
everything was 10 be won by arduous
effort. should embrace every oppor-
1unity to laud the labor which was the
cornerstone of the fabric of their pros
perity-of their very existence.
4 glance through such work as
Prof. Hough's american Cunstitn
tions," or Admiral Preble's History
of the Flag of the United States of
America" will not fail to reveal an al
most universal recognition of industry
and commerce Tue most notable
omission is in the case OF the seal and
arms. In not one of the designs sug-
eested by or TO the committee appoint
ed July 4, 1776, to prepare device for
the great seal of the United States-a
committee whose members were
Franklin. Adams, and Jetferson-was
there any recognition OF the peaceful
arts. Adams design was the ''Cho.ce
of Hercules" pity that upon
our passports and commissions we do
not behold delineated "ths hero rest
ing on a club; Virtue pointing to her
rugged mountain on one hand and
persuading him to ascend; and Sioth
glancing at her iowery paths Of pleas
ure, wantonly reclining on the ground,
displaying the charms both of her elo-
quence and person. to seduce him into
vice" Franklin was for design pre-
senting the whelming OF Pharaoh;
Jefferson for the Children of Israel in
the Wilderness. plus Hengist and
Horsa." Among the supporters in the
various designs afterwari reported are
to be found American Indians, L Iman
soldiers. "maidens with loose auburn
tresses," "knights in arms. with bloody
lances," but nowhere husbandman or
an artisan, and on the great seal
finally adopted June 20, 1882. nothing
typities labor, unless it be the untin-
ished pyramid which scofiers have in
sisted upon regarding as prophetic of
the Washington monument
Very different, however, is it with
the arms of the different states; there
the omission to recognize trade or in-
dustry is the comparatively rare ex-
ccption.
Maine has as her supporters q hus-
bandman leaning on his scythe and a
sailor resting on an anchor.
New Hampshire shows 3 ship on the
stocks with American banners dis
played, and group of busy ship
wrights.
Vermont places beneath her tower
ing pine-tree three erect sheaves and
red cow-a nobler beast than any of
tho Hons. griffins. boars. and bears
that ramp and roar through the forests
of European heraldry,
Massachusetts has o decidedly war;
like coat-of-arms, with her beltBd and
moccasined Indian, and her dexter
arm clothed anu grasping a broad
sword" and Rhode Islands 'anckrr"
mas no reference to maritime interests,
Nor do Connecticut's three vines, supp
ported and fruited. relate to yiticult-
ure, but, instead, to the three original
plantations of Hartford, Windsor, and
Weathertield.
New York's arms have no recogni-
ton of labor or trade. if we except the
two vessels approaching each other on
the Hudson.
New Jersey, however. displays three
plows in an escutcheon, makes Ceres
one of the supporters, and takes as
crest horses head.
Pennsylvania supporting horses are
of the rampant 'old war-horse" breed,
but her shield is charged with peace
| ful emblems-a plOw; on sea navy
proper, ship under full sail; and q
stalk of maize. This coat-of-arms was
taken chiefly from the old seal of the
city of Philadelphia, adopted in 17Ol,
which had in three of its quarters a
balance. wheat sheaf, and q ship sail
ing upon an ocean.
Delaware shows in one division of
her azure shield q COW, and in the
other a sheaf of wheat and bundle OF
leaf tobacco. The crest is a ship under
full sail, and the supporters are a
mariner and q hunter.
Maryland, in adopting the arms OF
Lord Baltimore, was so fortunate as to
obtain as supporters fisherman and
plowman.
Virginia, on the reverse of her great
seal, which is nothing if not classical,
shows Ceres. with her cornucopia in
one hand and an ear of wheat in the
other.
West Virginia has an encyclopedia
-of-arms. On the dexter side ol
her ivy-twined rock Is farmer, clothed
in the traditional hunting shirt of tine
mountain region. his right arm resting
on the plow-handles, and his left sup
porting woodman's AK, with, at hi:
feet, a sheaf of wheat and II corn-stalk
On the sinister is miner with pick
eral at his feet, While an anvil, OIL
which rests a s,edge-hammer, is partly
seen.
North Carolina has on her shield {
Cere with the cornucOpia in one hanC
and in the other three wheat ears.
Georgia has always celebrated trade
and industry with elaborate enthusi
asm. When George II. chartered th'
colony. in 1882. one face of the sea
represented provident and laborinu'
colony of silk-worms, sericulture beln!
the special object of the new settle
ment. When 1t became a crown col
ony. in 1751. its seal showed on ont
side the genius of the colony present
ing a skein of silk TO the king. Th
convention of 1777 adopted n sea
! whereon was shown IAN elegant hous'
and other buildings. with sheep AM
> cattle, river running through tn
same with ship under full SAIL
description leaving not little dOnb
as to whether the river ran thrOugl
, the elegant house. or the sheep. Th