New-York tribune., 1890-05-26
Rut that this infunce has been wholly bad no.
todv knows better than himself and his friends.
,ffCVyEYING THE FLAG.

Eeryent devotion 10 lhe ctdr r-DP"hbiOu Dan
ner becomes "A matter of course with all loyal
Americans when war is on. But III the piping
times of peace love of country Is apt to wax
cold and the FLAG to be regarded with no more
emotion than the primrose inspired in the
hroast of the man of whom Wordsworth sang
A primrose by the river brim,
yellow primrose was to him,
And II was nothing more
Hence whatever in these tranquil days tends
10 stimulate the patriotic sentiment, to quicken
affection for the flag, Is deserving OF the
hcortiest encouragement. OF late, it is graf
;fvinc to note there has been manifest n dis
position on the part of our people to honor the
flag aS il never has been honored before in
lime of peace. a bill was passed at the last
session of the Legislature authorizing the pur-
chase by the local authorities of the American
coors to the end that they may be flung to
the breeze above the public-schoo buildings
Early in the spring one of the Grand Army
Posts AZ the Capitol presented a beautiful nag
TO the high school, and there have been many
similar presentations of late in various parts
Of the State and the country.
OF related significance is the bill which was
lately rcported to Congress from the Judiciary
Committee having for its object to prevent
the dcsecration of the National flag. 1t pro-
yides that "any person who shall use the Ma
tional flag either by printing, painting or afllx-
ing on said flag. or otherwise attaching to the
somc any advertisement for public display or
private gain, shall be guilty OF misdemcanor
and on conviction thereof in the District Court
Of the United States shall be fined in any sum
not exceeding fifty dollars, or imprisonment
NOT less than thirty days or both at the dis
cretion of the court Doubtless some people
will object to this measure, characterlzlng 1t
sentimental Bur the majority of Americans
will heartily approve Of it. \ people that al
Iow, IFS flag to be used for a display of adj
vcrtiScmcnts connycS at its degradation and
does not deserve TO have country. "eneral
Dix's famous " Shoot him on the spot order
looking 10 the preservation of the honor ot the
flag did rs much aS anything III his long ana
illustriouS career to commend him Ia the regard
of his countymcn. But why place so much
stress on the matter Of keeping the ilag lying
if il is not something worthy Of vcncIation?
And If il is something worthy OF veneaton
then an advertisement insults II. The person
who would advertise his wares on the nag OF
orr Union if opportunity offered most likely
would tack one of his handbils on an altar
There's place for everything. The best
placc for an advertisement is newspaper.
II is the pain duty Of all public->prlted
Americans 10 do their best TO make the rising
Generation feel an enthusiasm for the flag, TO
iuspirc in the hearts Of the boys and girls OF
day so deep an affection and admiration
for il in all that it implies that they shall grow
up thorough going patriots, who if needs be-
will defend il with their lives. Let the re-
yiyal Of interest in the flag increase. - Is
good sign 1t indicates that this age Of great
material prosperity here in America is still an
age when the virtue of patriotism IS IN a yls-
orous condition.