The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-06-12

The History and Teachings OF Our Flag.
The flag of America, our country How
we love and honor it 1t is the red, white
and blue which waves over our land and
binds our union together. The flag con-
sists of forty-dve stars and thirteen
stripes, the stars representing the forty.
five states of our union, and the stripes
the thirteen original colonies. Red rep.
resents bravery, white purity and blue
loyalty.
After the Declaration of independence
was carried July 4, l776, Congress ap-
pointed three men to design flag for the
United States. These men were Jeffer-
son, Franklin and John Adams. Sever
al flags were made and at last the one we
now have was adopted by Congress.
This one was designed by Captain Reid I.
Now the fourteenth of June is remember
ed as fiag-day when the American flag is
supposed to wave over the country to re-
mind us of the day when the emblem of
our free country was adopted. The
colors of our flag teach us three lessons,
they teach us to be brave, pure and loyal.
May we ever be true to our country and
revere those who gave their lives to make
US free and independent nation. Those
who left their happy homes, their friends
and all shat was dear TO them, and poured
out their !, ~ upon the battlefield for
their country. 10 them be the praise as
long as the world stands. A mans
country is not merely made up of rocks,
trees and rivers, but it is principle.
ITO God, thy country, and thy friend
be true"
Let us remember the words of Daniel
Webster when he said he hoped never to
see the sun shining down OH a broken
union all discordant and perhaps drench-
ed with blood but let it shine down on
our gorgeous ensign, the flag of our re-
public, with not star erased, and not a
stripe obscured, bearing this message to
every true American heart.
Liberty and Union, now and forever,
one and inseparable."
What man is there who, after wander
ing in foreign lands long time is not
glad to step again on American soil and
be once more in his native country? We
cannot honor and love our country too
much. Those who gave us the flag of
our country are now lying in their graves
but may we always protect the emblem
they gave us. We have great duty to
defend our flag. Let us cultivate spirit
of harmony and union remembering that
these forty-fve states are sisters of a
great and noble family. The world turns
hither its solicitous eyes and implores us
to act wisely and faithfully in the relation
we sustain. The mighty and fruitful
ocean is before us and the skies over our
heads shed health and vigor, but what
are all these without society, the protec-
tion Of wise institutions and free gov
ernment.
Our forefathers, the Pilgrims came to
America to have freedom and when our
country fought with Great Britain we
fought for freedom and now freedom is
what we have. America has sons, brave
sons, who would give their lives rather
than see their flag hauled down and this
great union severed. Such men as these
are thoses who have made our country
what it is, free, independent, happy ma
ton. 1t is to them we are indebted for
whatever makes us proud of our union.
While this union lasts we have gratify-
ing prospects spread out before us.
Happy, proud America The light
nings of Heaven yielded to your philoso-
ply ! The temptations of earth could
not seduce your patriotism
Flag of the free hearts hope aid home
By angel hands to valor given;
Thy stars have lit the welkin dome,
And all thy huts were born in Heaven.
Forever float that standard sheet
Where breathes the foe but falls be.
fore us,
| With Freedoms soil beneath our feet,
| And Freedoms banner streaming O'eI
us.
[Composed and read on Memorial day
in school No. 6, Peru, by Marguerite A
Tuttle, aged l2.