The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-06-13

Paper.
Rules oftte Cstb-I. Write briefly .. Write only
on one side OF Tie paper 5. Write 10 the point :.
/ Write on one subject. s. Write your best 6. Each
week Tie OF those writing the best letters
style composition. spelling, penmanship and gen.
eral merit censidered-wlll be named al tiie heAo
of this column on the Honor Roll. FIRST honor
| will include all of these requirements. Second
! honor viii include deficiency in some one point
OUR coUNTRY's FLAG.
The above is the title of the beautiful flag
book, compiled By Comrade George w. Cur,
Davenport. Iowa, who served as Chaplain OF
the 10Sth ILL.,, won by Charles Belcher OF Kan
sas Several other accounts have been received,
| containing more minute statistics, but this re-
fleets more of the spirit of the times which
| formed SO critical a period in our country s
history.
THE sTAR-sPANGLED BANNER.
Prize Paper.
Among the noted composers OF music we see
| the names of Mozart, Beethoven and Haydn
stand in the foremost ranks. But none were
inspired with more fervent zeal than Francis
Scott Key when he composed THE Star
Spangled Banner"
The American flag then waved, as it does
now, over the grandest land and over the noblcst
people that ever sustained the banner of liberty.
American liberties had been trampled upon
by the mother country, and the cry for justice
had been answered by greater oppression The
hurricane of war was upon our country. Great
battles were taking place. We were compelled
TO vindicate our rights, or again succumb to the
shackels Of England.
On Sept. 13, 1914. just before the storming of
Baltimore by the British, Francis Scott Key,
accompanied by companion, boarded British
vessel in order to request the release OF an hon
orable gentleman, DIR. Beans then prisoner
of war.
Their mission proved successful; but as it
was the eve OF great battle, the three Ameri-
cans were detained on board the British ship.
The attack was made; the thunder of the call
non was terrific. The lightnings of Jove play
ed across the canopy of heaven. The earth
trembled, as with pulsations Of q mighty heart.
Old Fort McHenry was silent The flashes
from the guns threw gloomy picture upon the
waters. With bated breadth they waited for the
first sign of light, fearing that the bloodstained
banner of liberty had already sunk beneath
the briny deep.
But no. The first streaks of dawn from the
| eastern horizon revealed our lovely flag proudly
waving and signaling defiance to the enemy.
Key could now pace the deck in rejoicing, as
liberty still survived.
While In this state of divine inspiration he
mposed the lines that are contained IN The
| Star-Spsneled Banner" words that are dear to
every true American heart. The old flag WAS
| more significant to him than it had ever been
before. On that bright September morning the
| true meaning of the red, white and blue dswned
| upon his mind.
The night previous the Americans had justi-
fed their right to have the long rcd stripes in
the aag-this being the sign of blood.
America is not. nor was not then, Nation of
blood but If she is driven TO H. all true Ameri-
cans are ready to sacrifice their lives for liberty
! Key could see the contrast. The white in the
flag was pure. Its followers were fighting for
principle and human rights. On the other
has haze 1Eet, aud far
gain.
There was the background of blue. What
did that shown Loyalty to country and true
patriotism. Ii showed that the Americans
would hold out for principle until the God of
| Heaven shonld award it.
As the light of the morning was revealed the
| three Americans were set on shore and the
British vessel disappeared.
Ever since that day the Star-Spangled Ban
ner has echoed and re-echoed over the hills
and through the valleys. 1t has inspired the
boys in blue 10 victory, showing them that the
All-wise Creator justified true patriotism in
! land of freedom.
The Star-Spanglsd Banner will know of
nothing but success; for il will not hearken
I 20 voices of discouragement. nor ever yield its
purpose, but stand forth AS the symbolic monu-
snent of liberty, and perfect emblem of power
and glory TO the American people
Charles Belcbef. Enterprise, Kan.
BIRD soSG.
By Mattie T. Gamnlons.
Trilis as clear as ripping waters,
/ Triumph-sonGys of merry birds.
Hark, the woodland now j. ringing
With sweet songs Of bright winged birds.
Birds in Spring-lime God has sent you,
! Just 10 MI our hearts with JOY
Happiness and Spring-tme gladness,
/ Love and peace without alloy.
This the lesson that they teach US
| Dear heart. patience, God knows best;
IL we live through lifes cold Winters.
In HeAven's Gown spring-time you'll find rest. !"
PASSING IN REVIEW.
A. I. Seaman, Western Secretary, L. IT. W.,
has changed his address to 5l6l Minerva aven ne.
| St. Louis, No.
Genevieve Germaine, Muir. Mich, who will
4 begin her first term as teacher next year.
wonders how many of the c. C's are teachers,
or expect 10 be. She would be pleased to cor
respond with the younger members of the c.
C., West and South.
Amelia A. Arnold. 43 Ravine street, Rondout,
n. Y, desires TO exchange postal autographs
with those who wish it, and will give q prize
for the prettiest received by September.
Sister hsttie Z. Gammons. North Foster z.
J.. celebrated her birthday June with a
letter party. Messages in large numbers bore
fraternsl greetings from devoted friends, with
prayers and best wishes for a speedy return to
health and strength.
John NJ. Anderson, Speers, Pa. in introducing
Hettie Harvey, Belle Vernon, Pa. bespeaks for
her hearty welcome aad il is heartily given.
All those actively at work for the soldiers arc
specially at home in the ranks of the LOYAL
Home Workers. Brother Anderson thought
the Memorial "Forget-me- very beauti-
ful.
OUR COUNTRy's SABBATH
Estella n Edgecombe. Phillipsburg. Kan. is
right ia believing That one of the great lessons
OF Memorial Day is that we should more and
more consccrate ourselves to the principles
which our heroes offered up their lives to main.
tain.
:" Let us, wives, sons, daughters, and Loyal
Homo Workers all, she says, do all in our
power TO keep their memory green and incul-
cate principles of patriotism in the hearts of the
, young, that they in their turn will do like.
I WISE and tins keep the ball rolling down the
ages OF time. that our country's Sabbath be kept
r sacred and not as a fete day"
PERPETUAL MEMORIAL
DEARC. C. FRIENDS: Last Sunday nv sister
E and were walking through the cemetery,
. lhey that were resting there were strsngers
! 10 US Bat stop! There is n grave mark ed
, though not by tombstone. What2 A small