Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-09-12
THE NATIONAL FLOWER

The National Flower agitation"
started In Ardmore, Pa, ia December,
1856. The National Flower house"
is on Ardmore avenue. II was at that
time, perhaps still is, the property Of
Mr.. Norris Hansell Mr.. and Mrs.
Henry Werner were then residents Of
the house. With their family at the
lime boarded literary lady, Miss Mar
garet B. Harvey. the author Of the now
famous poem VALLEY Forge Arbutus."
Miss Harvey was q member Of an
aristocratic old Quaker family, who
were az one time among the proudest OF
Lower MeriOn's early gentry. Some
surviving elements Of old-time conser-
vatisn. manifested itself In opposition 10
u younger daughters chosen pursuit,
literature, as an improper occupation
for a gentleWoman. Accordingly, Miss
Harvey was obliged 20 seek congenial
seclusion 10 order to conquer her first
modest success. Admore was near the
scenes OF her early childhood, and she
drew her Inspirations FROM the wildly
romantic scenery Of the surrounding
country and the unwTitten history OF
her ancestral stock.
In December, 1856, Miss Harvey pre-
pared for the press little volume OF
poems, Lower Merton Lilies" The
most successful Of the poems contained
therein, VALLEY Forge Arbutus" was
written In the ArdmOre Avenue house
above mentioned. The volume appear
ed In March, 1887. One Of the first
copies fell into the hands Of John o. K.
Rooarts, editor OF the PhCCRtrUtlte Mes
SengeT, published within four miles Of
Valley Forge. Mr.. Robarts immediate
~ suggested TO the author the propriety
OF having the poem read az the Valley
Forge celebration, which would occur
June 10th, 1857, on which occasion
Washington's headquarters would be
freed from debt. Mr.. Robarts, In May,
1887, published an article on "a Ma
tlonal Flower" giving due credit to the
poem for the suggestion. The poem
was read at the Valley Forge Celebra-
tion, June 10th, 1887, by Mrs. Anna NJ.
Holstein, OF Bridgeport, Pa, president
OF the Woman's Memorial Association.
The poem, "Valley Forge Arbutus,"
contained the first formal suggestion Of
"America's National Flower" and &C
tually started the recent agitation. The
thought was warmly welcomed. But,
alas many lost sight OF Valley Forge
and the idea that the national Hover"
was suggested in order TO remind the
nation OF Valley Forge, upon whose his
tOric events our national life depends.
From one OF the early articles on the
subject, we clip the following reasons
given by its author for the selection Of
the Trailing Arbutus as the National
Flower" 1. IL is peculiarly American.
.. It's habitat is the Thirteen Original
States. 3. IL loves liberty, resisting cul-
tiVatlOn. A. Ii is beautiful in itself. 5.
1t was the first flower seen
by the patriot army at Valley
Forge after their secluSion.
6. IL was the first American flower seen
by the Pilgrims OF New England who
called II the Mayhower after their
vestle. 2. The finest specimens occur
in the Chester Valley hills, within a
short distance Of the most noted Revo-
lutionary localities. S. It's flowers are
shaped like stars and It's leaves are
evergreen, like laurels. :. There is
but one species. To these reasons may
be added a tenth: BY being recognized
>by Patriot Sons OF Valley Forge and
Vicinity, II has taken on new historic
ASSOCIATIONS.
In recent article in Camp NelCS,
Miss Harvey asserts that the i've
-oirted stars of the trFiling arbutus
~ "a the cid Gag, only slightly
= TO adopt the trailing
national 1ower" it is
say that the arbutuS-
In the star spangl ed
that banner exactly as
light be Apr opriately
Dy VALLEY Forge Arou-
atiOnal flower, as in that
StOn's headquarters were
sed froL debt. So might the year
1898, as Valley Forge camp ground has
iust been saved from the hands OF van
dals, and set aside as national park;
as alag Day" has been observed for
the first time, showing that that the
old designed by Philadelphia woman,
Betsy Ross, already contained arbutus-
stars; and as the Worlds Columbian
Exhibition proves the grandeur of our
national life, grown from the heroism
of patriots OF Valley Forge
Although Miss HsrVey's deserved
credit has been seriously impaired by
UlAEl0IAakHt
tial verdict OF posterity will do her JUS
tice.
For the last two years she has resided
in San Francisco, where she has won
success In journalism as member OF
the staff OF the San Francisco Chronicle, !
il is believed that she may make her |
permanent home on the Pacific Coast !
which Is said TO be the paradise OF liter |
airy workers, so far as social recognition |
is concerned.
The annexed poem contains the whole |
argume1t for National Flower"
Miss Harvey has, of late, been forced |
10 remind the general public that II first !
appeared In copyrighted book:
Grand hinsl rear your heavenward claim,
} Like patriots noble desirei
Like altsrs colossal alame,
With blue. waving pines for your IRE.
Like Liberty's torches they live
While earth seems one wtnter-bound tomb,
And shelter, the soonest 70 give
Defiance 70 Death, sparks OF bloom.
The chief trod these hills-did he think
The sky not above, but below,
When first he saw planets Of pink,
With scarce-cleare i-aWay planets OF snoWf
Or start sad forbOdIngs forgot
Nfhe dropping or upltted eve
Can each meet a heaven, for not
Up down, but 10 God, is the skyl
Toy trumpets whose mimiory shamed
The aim nd's aud Vale-lily's hue.
with star-mouth's whose breath not the famed /
Sweet Arabic scents ever knew
Trailed leaves like the hero's own bays.
Undying aud green evermore-
Hopes message, amid bis dark days,
You brought, as 10 Pilgrims before,
II buds mid dead leaves eau survive,