The herald., 1893-12-14
THE NATIONAL FLORAL EMBLEM,
A Society Formed to Select a
Flower for That Purpose.
The Objects of the League Organized
by Women.
The Alleged Elections Held at tho
Worlds Fair-The Present sttun-
tion of the Mntter-What
win Be Selected.

1t has been Published in the HERALD
that man in Maine has seen that
single flower can never be selected as
national floral emblem. and he there
fore suggests combination of flowers.
This leads to needed explanation of
movement in jackson park in which
several California ladies' took part.
Briefly, the board OF lady managers
were holding an election in the woman's
building. in horticulture, agriculture,
plaisance, and had books in all the state
buildings asking men. women and juve-
niles to vote for Indian corn, "our ma
tional floral emblem" In the woman's
building only there was chance to vote
for other flowers. but clerks we're en-
ployed who urged visitors to record
their names for corn. Several books
were filed. 1t transpires that the lady
managers had passei resolution to
memorialize congress to legalize this
election.
1t was attempted three times to have
the Valley Forge arbutus also entered
In the race as candidate, without sue
cess. The third failure brought it
pronouncedly before several ladies that
this national election was strictly parti-
san, with $1,000 government money used
to conduct it. Acting upon this Ma
tional Floral Emblem society was formed
by ladies from California, Pennsylva-
ria, Louisiana, Florida, New York and
Utah, to broaden the movement, make
it general and have all partisans join
hands and get an expression In every
state.
This society has now members in ff.
teen states and is pronounced by dis
tinguishsd woman of Washington. DC,
the finest thing ever undertaken by
women, II the garland is chosen; for the
intention is to make it permanent or
ganization. join the National Council of
women and encourage the study OF the
fora of America, and institute q nation
al floral festival day, uoon which day
all states will unite in such display as
will make the heart glad.
The little circulars now being sent out
are as follows:
This society shall be called "The Ma
tionsl Floral Emblem Society of Amer
ica."
The objects OF this society shall be as
folIows:
First-To consider the claims OF all
flowers presented as candidates for a
national floral emblem.
Second-To devise and arrange q
means of reaching states and territories
and OF urging all such as have not al
ready selected Q state flower to make
such selection.
Ihird-To hold floral festival upon
the coming Fourth of July for the pur-
pose of considering q fitting national
floral emblem, to be held in every city,
town and hamlet in America.
Fourth--To study the natural fora of
the United States, and after selecting
the state and national flowers. to intro
duce and cultivate the same In each
state and territory.
Any person interested In the naming
OF o national flower or emblem shall be
qualified to become q member of the
National Floral Emblem society.
Membership may be obtained up
on the presentation of name by q
member of the society and by the pay
ment of 30 cents.
The board OF management of the Ma
tional Floral Emblem society shall sp-
point one member from each state and
territory, and she shall appoint one
member from each congressional district
of that etate or territory exclusive of
that district which she herself repre-
sents) to aid her as Q committee, in car
rying out the objects and aims of the
society. She shall be chairman Of this
committee. These chairmen, through
out the states and territories, together
with the committee of manage
ment. shall constitute an advisory
board. Members of this advisory
board shall be empowered to
direct floral festivals, at which all the
floral candidates shall be presented, and
full and open claims made for each and
every one, to aid in educating public
opinion. This organization has been
formed with but one object In view
which is, that all the states and terri
tories may be reached, and that we, as
a nation, may be informed that we may
deliberate upon the matter. and thus
obtain genuine expression OF the will
of the people.
The candidates for each state flow or
should be such as are particularly Pc
culiar to that state, and familiar to the
people of that state. The candidates
for the National Floral Emblem should
be such as are native to America. They
may represent: First, sentiment;
second, utility; third. utility and senti-
Z ment combined fourth, a combination
of flowers.
Under these heads, therefore are pre-
sented the following candidates, which
may be added to as desired.
The Arbutus VALLEY Forge). This
flower is connected with the history Of
the American revolution; the only
flower which il connected with our
country's history, as 10 the rose with
England, the lily with France, the
thistle with Scotland. The claims OF
this flower were presented in 1886 by
Miss Margaret Harvey of Pennsylvania.
Golden Rod, flower greatly admired
in the eastern and northern states. This
flower is presented by Miss Harriet Out
ter of Milwaukee, Wis.
Indian Corn. The claims OF corn as a
national floral emblem are presented by
Mise Corinne Harrison of Virginia.
Laurel. Beautiful as decoration,
this flower, with Its leaves, ia celebrated
as q symbol OF victory and of mental
power. This is presented as candidate
by Mrs. Norah Gridley of illinois.
Columbine. This flower is said to
possess our national colors: red, white
and blue, and is presented by Mrs. L.
j. Hunt of Minnesota.
Pansy for thoughts, which almost
speak, and so poetic, ia iavo rite in all
fections, by men, women and children.
This flower is presented to the states
by Mrs. Martha Sellers Greeley of Chi
cage. Ill.