The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-08-08
RELIEF CORPS NEWS
Gleanings from National Headquar-
terS---NOtes from the Departments.
HISTORY OF OUR FLAG.


The following account of the American flag was
read by Mrs. Abbie Lynch Department President
of Pennsylvania, at an entertainment held in the
Opera House at Rochester, Pa, by the W.RC., ON
which occasion the Corps presented beautiful
flag to the Post:
II has always been the custom OF Nations every
where TO have some standard or banner which Is
honored in peace and an inspiration in war; each
country having the device II deemed most appro-
pirate for the place and people.
IL Is curious looking back to find that more
than a hundred years ago the emblem of the Amer
lean colonists well-formed rattesnake In the
tread on me" which certainly was very appropri-
ate for the time.
DIR. Franklin tells us that after much inquiry and
study he found that countries often repre-
scented by animals peculiar TO that country, and
the rattiesnake IL found nowhere but In America.
The ancients considered the serpent an emblem OF
wisdom, and In some attitudes Of endless duration.
Her eye is exceedingly bright, and without
eyeIids--an emblem of vigilance. She never be-
gins and attack and she surrenders-
embems OF magnnnimity and courage. She
never woundseven her enemies till she generously
gives them warming not TO tread on her, which 10
embematica of the spirit of the people who inhabit
her country. Her 10 rattes the only part which i'm
creaBes in number. distinct from each other,
and yet so united That they cannot be disconnected
without breaking them to pieces showing the inn
possibility of American Republic without
union of States. single rattle will give sound
alone but the ringing of the IL together Is suffi
cent to startle the bodest man alive.
The next form Of The United States flag was the
Stars and Stripes Its proportions perfect when
properly made. the first and last stripe being red
with alternate stripes of white; the blue field for
the stars Is the square of the width of stripes
The Stars and Stripes unfurled for the first
time at the battle of Saratoga, the occasion OF
the surrender OF Gen. Burgoyne. The stars of The
| flag represent the idea taken from the Constaia-
ed wSs @6 ran sghe hsn" 10 Se oe
OF Scotland, likewise significant Of the League and
Covenant of the United Colonies against oppres-
sion and incidentally involving vigilance, perse-
EerHnCe AMI Justice. The stars uisUuscd In
circle, symbozing the perpetuy of the Union,
the circle being the sign OF eternity. Both the liz
stripes and stars showed the number of United
Colonies and denoted the subordinRtion OF the
State To and their dependence upon the Union as
well as equally upon themselves. The whole
was blending Of tile previous banners, namely,
the red Tag of The army and white OF the navy.
The red color which in the days of Roman glory
was the signal OF defiance, denoted daring, the
white, purity.
On the l3lh Of January. 1874. by an nc. Of Con-
Eress. the flag was altered to is red and white
Congress again altered the flag by returning to the
original Is stripes and 10 stars, star being
added for each additional state. This Is placed
upon the flag the 4th OF July following the
admission of State into the Union.
This flag was honored by every State, and many
were the stars added tn its crown. But then came
woeiul day ia our history. when Secession whis-
pcred. p" Let us make another flag, which shall be
the standard OF the Southern Confederacy"; and
Then the stars and bars unfurled, and South
ern rebellion traied our beautiful flag in the dust
need not repeat To you who took up arms In de-
Tense OF your country, the history of that time
how your loyal hearts were ready and your arms
strong to do battle for the flag which represented
your principles; OF the weary marches and the
awful prisons of the blood spilled free water
because of your great love for your country, and
OF the day that came when tho hated stars and
bars we're forever folded away and the starry flag
waved again over a land undivided; our glorious
constellation Of stars unbroken Rpd the giant mon
ster oil treason and rebellion crushed and humbled
IL your hands then. 20 true and tried, In behalf OF
Woman's Relief Corps No. 10 place this flag. No
need ~ there TO tell you brave veterans to guard 1t
with honor. Well have you proved your 10y atty
and love. We only assure you that ii shall always
be our pleasure 10 aid and assist you In your deeds
OF charity toward your comrades, their widows
aud orphans, and thus prove our loyalty 10 those
who bore tile burden OF war.