The National tribune., 1895-01-03
MAKING OLD GLORY.
TIE Life and Origin of Uncle Sans
Starry Banner.


Ea;FsWr7sFsE made in the United States every
kssrz sSfTSNy% year and these are bought from
Esss9s 4E&#% the factories and sold to small
Es2sN EEN%S boys, political clubs public
Esel salsSsM buildings and citizens, until,
kaz1&ssziAS at the end of the year, the en-
tire supply is exhausted, and
the mills and factories are full of orders for
more Americans never tire of the flag.
great many of this number are sent out of
the country TO other lands, where there are
American citizens who yearn for sight of Old
Glory and must have it waving over their COL
ony, wherever that may be. And others 60 out
on shirs 10 float over the ocean. telling their
story OF American citizenship and American
rights: while many others start out with ex-
plorers upon expeditions of strange discovery,
and are lost in the trials that heset the discov-
erers ere there has been chance to plant the
flag and repose under its folds
But by far the greatest number stay right
here in America, and are used up in the legiti-
mate service expected of a cOuntry's Gag.
There are flag factories all over the country,
but the largest number center around the re-
gion whore the first flag was made-Philadel-
phia and northward from that State in Mas
sachusetts there are many, and for years Lowell
was mentioned for the factory which Ben But
Ter ran there. This factory turned out bunting
cloth to be used in making flags. And that 1T
was good bunting and warranted to support the
stars and stripes in splendor for long period
of usage no one who knew the patriotism OF its
owner could doubt.
Although the flag is a great and glorious
thing made in any way you please, there are,
nevertheless different degrees of excellence in
its manufacture. And when you purchase a
new Gag you pay for stars and stripes woven IN
by machinery, or else stamped upon the cloth
rs calico is printed, or you get hand-sewed
flag, with the stars put on with little stitches,
while the stripes sewn together by hand IN
long, laborious seams, but calculated never 10
slit or wear out For the aforementioned kind
you pay great deal, and for the woven sort
you pay a smaller though considerable sum;
but for the stamped variety you lay out sum
surprisingly small TO your mind, If you have
not bought flag in recent years-ssy since the
war
The average life Of fas is like the average
life OF man-different in different climates.
In this country. IN New York City, flag lasts
only day OF "a hours, il il is left out over
night when The wind is blowing and il is rain
ing, aud in some of the very windy mountain.
Gus regions il is not safe TO allow the stars 10
fy even whole day if the flag sleeples are very
exposed and the elements are furious. The
quick Tapping Sits the flag
The flag which flies all the time upon the
New York Postoffice lasts about two weeks. 1t
is taken in every night and is carefully dried
8iters rain and otherwise cherished Ii is made
ofbuntiuR and. since the Postcfice steeple is not
tall a small flag shows off very well. The Post
Office flag is by d feet, and it costs only $3.50.
or about s. month. making an item OF 500 a
year for Uncle Sam to pay for the privilege of
floating his souvenir over his own special de-
partments
The City Hall flag is larger. IL is 20 by 30
feet. and it costs about $50. 1t lasts year.
That is il should last as long as that. But If
there arc many deaths, if it is foated very
often for any other reason, or if it is left out
over night. il is gone much sooner and the city
must buy another. This flag. too is Of bunting.
The largest flags are those used at political
meetings TO drape the walls above the orators,
or for trimming the front of the clubhouse.
The largest Gag. unless made TO order, is 40 by
60 'eet, and its cost is SIS. There are a great
many flags of this size in use, and ia Presi-
Dental years the demand is SO great for them
tina: the flag factories begin to get ready year
before, and are kept busy as bees all during the
campaign. Not only do political clubs want
them curing these years. but many patriotic
private individuals purchase them. And the
demand for fagpoles becomes great RGo.
SILK flags cost much more than the figures
charged for bunting flags. The largest silk flag
made in commerce is 10 by 1s feet, and it costs
$150 but there is little demand for it. even from
those who want silk flag. the size smaller,
which retais for 500. is about as high in price
as the most enthusiastic flag buyer cares to 90.