The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-03-16

! Then strong men catch the swaying form,
| And as he faints away
| They cry, " He'll wear the soldier scars,
Brave hero in the fray!"
| Brave lad indeed! He fought as we'll
| As father had before;
| He risked his life TO his flag,
r., bravest do no more.
/ Ina Wright. South Los Angeles, Cal.
| PRIZE FLAG SKETCH.
at is in and through symbols" wrote Thomas
! Carlyle, that man consciously or unconsciousiy
| lives moves and has his being: those ages. more
over are accounted the noblest which can the best
| recognize symbolical worth and prize it the high
est
| Surely, no age ever evolved a grander or more
| glorious heraldry than that which symbozes these
United States; epoch is more noble than the
| period which evoked it, and none of the worlds
| Haunting banners and standards more highly
| priced than is Columbia's dauntless bazonry of
| Stars aud Stripes
| overshadowed by that of England, had little. if
| any, distinctive Eignificance; but when the long
roll of the Revolution called to arms, multitude
| of banners varied in hue and bearing all kinds of
| emblematie devices bloomed upon the air, to thrill
| with enthusiasm the hearts OF those who rallied
| beneath them to fight for liberty. The Pine Tree
standard of the Massachusetts troops. the Rattle
snake flag of the Virginia rifemen, and the Cres-
cent banner displayed by the south Caronans
are conspicuous examples of the many eusigns
which the patriots first bore to the field But the
assembling of the Continental Army as unit
sentative of the whole body. and of the cause for
| which its soldiers stood enrolled
| Accordingly, Oh JAN 2, l776 the troops unfurled
flag of thirteen stripes of alternate red and white
bearing in its upper corner the combined crosses
| of ST. Andrew and ST. George emblems OF United
| England and Scotland, upon field of blue.
| The Declaration of Independence determined
the selection of flag that should be distinctively
National, and the following year, June IA. l777, it
| was by Congress resolved, THAT the flag OF the
United States be thirteen stripes, alternately red
| and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white
| in blue field representing new constellation"
| The stars were arranged in a circle, typical OF
| amending union and, thanks to the excellent taste
| of Mrs. John Ross of Philadelphia. who made the
! flag they were designed with symmetrical beau
ty of five points instead of six the Congressional
| committee had intended The placing of harp
or Tyre in the center of the field in token of har-
| mony, was also suggested, but the idea was dis
carded; and alone ihe stars IN their azure settng
were borne aloft amid tho blood and fire OF the
Revolution from the battle OF Saratoga TO the final
| triumph nj Yorktown.
| The admission of two new States into the Union
induced Congress. january IL, 1874, to enact that
| from and after the list of May. 1895. the National
flag should consist of Is red and white stripes and
| that the Union should be Is stars white on IA blue
| field
| siderable opposition. owing to the fact that the
added stripes spoiled the graceful proportion Of the
flag; but the design thus remained throughout the
war of 1921 5 and until April 4, 1873 when Con-
gress resolved TO restore the ID stripes and to make
new additions of stars only new States were ad.
| mitted. At the time Congress also resolved
| that each star should be placed upon the flag on
the 4h of July following the admission OF the State
| il represented.
ing the design of National flag, and it has re-
| manned the same. except as to the constantly
increasing number of stars. symbolizng the growth
| and xpansion of the Republic.
| During the with Mexico the azure field was
charged with % stars during the rebellion 35 stars
led our heroes death and to victory; 80 was the
| number which the flag bore in 1877, on the Tooth
anniversary of its birth; while since July 4, 1891.
| the National flag of the United States of America
tocn t.a fold. nfd
| blazoned III glorious efuigenoe.
4 May their light never fade! And, 'dored mt
| home honored abroad. may the Heaven born and
| beauteous lines of odd Glory" precious with
blood and tears and ilumned 10y radiant trinmphs
be the hope. the trust. the inspiration Of the
| world !-Wilbur n. Hedges. Madison, n. j.
PRIZEFLAG SENTIMENT.
Through what has flag not passed ;
| what storms OF shot and shell! How many have
lived for it; how many have its folds draped in
| death: How many living and dying have said,
90. the flag the glorious Stars and Stripes!" 1t
is the old flag inscribed with The dying words
| of Lawrence, Don't give up the shipi" that was
| hoisted on Lake Erie the of Perry's great
| naval victory. What countries has 1T not visited,
the pride of its friends. the terror of its foes None
but tyrants hate il. All who sigh for Progress and
| Patriotism love and honor it!-Fanne Z. Steele.
| Maysviile, Mo.
| Our glorious flag has led the brave TO victory; it
has foated cradles let 1t be prayer that
| it float in triumph above our graves.-Water f.
Senior, Dexter, Tex.
The flag of America has been favorite theme of
her poets. Brakes american Flag" and that
stirring patriotic song. "The Star-Spangled Ban
| ner +" song which is to what the "Marseaise "
| is to the French. are familiar in every home
Flag of the free hearts hope and home,
| By angel hands TO vslor given,
Thy stars hnve lit the welkin DOME
And all thy hues were born in heaven.
Forever fIoat that standard sheet!
| Where breathcs the foe but falls before US,
| With Freedoms soil beneath our feet,
A..I Exa. .fa t.a..s aout NC ~
| Robert N. Smith, Carmi, Ill.
| white is the celestial Wilderness OF Heaven; the
blue is the sky; the red is the morning light Each
star Is state ana the stripes ave the d3 Colonies
| that won their independence--George w. Burton,
| Cisne, III.
When we see the flag floating proudly, it re.
| minds of something that happened over 100
years ago. and that was independence and liberty.
Thirteen stripes for the Union now. and Al stars
for the Union maintained our glorious banner
bears.-Arthur l.. Hynds, Ralston Tex.
The American flag is an emblem Of American
characteristios in National life: white the emblem
represents everything that Is dear to us, and is
emblem Of National power and honor.-Carre
Howell, Springfield. Mo.
whose folds nunberless heroes have nobiy fought
and bravely persisted for their country. should
have place OF deep affection in the heart of every
American citizen.-James r. Bolts Glenwood Mo.
The red, white and blue coiors of our flag are
symbolic OF Divine love truth, hope and loyalty.
.
| they are emblematic of war, peace and Justice
| George K Hunter, ZenRs. Ind.
The red, white and biae-fervency, purity and
| truih-hods in its meaning to us freedom. and 1t
| has been said. . Freedom never die. Ernest
Il Osron, Danbury, Iowa
Our flag, the Stars and Stripes! Emblem of
| freedom of Justice and true American patriotism
and loyalty Lillian knight, Montevideo, MINI.
| have no room for anyone who Is not willing to
vow allegiance TO that flag which 10 powerful ougi
to shield and protect in the exercise of ali civil
| and religious liberty. Our flag Is the symbol of all
that makes home for us.-M Burlison, New Cen.
, | terve, Wis.
This flag, that has had SO many historical changes
| since it's birth, and will, doubtless. have many
more, is dear to country. If the tales it bears
In its folds Of scenes of sorrow aud triumph it has
Witnessed could be all told. what volumes ii would
| fiji! May each G. c. always revere this brave old
| fag.-Neiia ID. Hampton. MI. Victory. O.
1t is symbolic Of liberty and Union. purity and
strength. Let strive keep il 80; pure. strong
and just May il remain for ages TO shed its patri-
| otto influence all American citizens, and may
| Its iuster never grow dim. Let hope that our
| Nation Is steadily marching forward, onward and
sheathed in the scabbard Of peace. Let encour-
strive 10 awa il in the hearts of the rising gen
| Grafton. that flag may be supported and
| Observation-Disclosures II. Oliver Fail field, Iowa.
| How our hearts thrill with joy we behold this
beauteous emblem of liberty floating in the air
the schoohouses other public buildings IL tells OF
| many hard fought-battles many soldiers wounded
| and many homes made desolate, that it might
| represent Americas freedom and proclaim her
| peace to ali nstions.-Edith NJ Haynes, East ST