Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-08-07
THE STARS ON THE FLAG.


The first desire of a new conutry is for
self-government. 1t may be as an indepen-
dent nation, like the original American
colonies. 1t may be as a unit of a greater
whole, like the recently admitted Utah.
With most events in the history of men
and governments, there is to be found
some evidence of regularity, as though
some unseen force was all the time at
work. There has been no such regular
ity in the admission of the 80 States that
have come into the sisterhood since the
last of the first 13 signed the compact.
Regular waves of population, of indus
trial plenty or paucity, have been felt
over the country, but the effect on the
making of States does not become ap-
parent.
The irregularity with which the States
have been taken into the Union is read
lily to be seen from the following dates.
Only year after the most recreant of
the Is had signed it's liberty in union,
stuffy little Rhode Island came to the
front and signed, too. George Washing
ton was inagurated in 1889. Within two
years of this time the Green Mountain
boys, who had not been backward in
the fight for freedom, but had not
secured State Government, added the
name of Vermont to the other IA. Then
in 1902 the Blue Grass State, Kentuckey,
was admitted. Her neighbor, Tennessee,
became a sister State in 1896. Then
came long pause.
Not until six years later, in 1902, was
there another State born. This was
Ohio, followed 10 years later by Louisi-
ana. The war of 1912 marks the latter
event. Four years more passed, un-
eventful in the united family of
CommOnwealths, until Indiana led the
way in 1916. Then came a perfect ava
| lanche of newly born sub-republics.
There was struggle for power IN Con-
gress and in the vote for President,
which pushed on the conquest, for the
North and the South We'd with each
other. Mississippi was made State in
1917, Illinois in 1918, Alabama came in
in 1919 and Maine followed hard after in
1920, while Missouri attained her major
ity the next year. For 10 years there
was lull in the struggle for votes.
Meantime the slavery question became
more and more prominent. Arkansas,
in 1886 became a slave State. Michigan,
the next year, came in as free State.
For eight years again there was no
change until the stars of Florida and
Texas were added almost at the same
ii ne IN 1S45. Iowa in 1916, Wisconsin in
| 1S4S and California in 1850 were the next.
Again eight years of rest and Mime
aota broke the quiet, indicating the
growth of the Northwest. Oregon,
admitted in 1859, had but small pOpu-
lation. Kansas came in soon after just
before the firing on Fort Sumter,
Nevada, when admitted in 1868, was a
feeble sister and still remains so. West
Virginia had been admitted the year
before as a reward for her loyalty to the
Union. Nebraska was a State in 1867,
after which there was long halt in the
| filling of the starry space on the flag.
The celegration of the Centennial in
1876 was the signal for allowing airy
Colorado a representation. Then after
Is years, in 1889, both Dakotas, Mon
tana and Washington became States.
In 1890 two others we're admitted, Idaho
and Wyoming. These accounted for
the A stars which the flag to-day has.
But the next change in the flag will add
thereto the emblem of Utah, and per-
haps those also of Arizona and New
Mexico. This leaves only Oklahoma to be
disposed of, as Alaska can hardly be
considered for long time to come, and
Indian Territory is not likely soon to be
disturbed. Boston Journal.