The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-06-11
UNFURLED IN ALASKA.


Precisely at the hour named the Russian
forts and fleet fired salute5 in honor of the
lowering of the Russian flag; but the flag
would not come down. In lowering it tore
its entire width close by the halliards, and
floated from the crosstrees, some DO feet
from the ground. Three Russian sailors
then attempted to ascend the inch-and-a-
half guy ropes supporting the flagstaff, but
each iailed to reach his National emblem.
A fourth ascended in a boatswain's chair,
seized the flag and threw it in direction
directly beneath him but the motion of the
wind carried it off and caused sensation IN
every heart. Five minutes after lowering
the Russian flag the Stars and Stripes went
gracefully up, floating handsomely and. free,
Mr. George Lowell Rousseau having the
honor of fiinging the flag to the breeze, and
the United States steamers Ossipee and
Resaca simultaneously honoring the event
with a National salute.
The first acquisition of territory ever
made by the United States by simply TAX
ing possession was accomplished in 1868.
The Midway Islands, about half way from
the Sandwich Islands to Japan, were taken
possession of on order from the Navy De-
partment by Capt. VIM. Reynolds, of the
Lackawanna. He went on to the shores of
the uninhabited islands, which lie mile
apart, and raised the Spar Spangled Banner
ON the highest point Of land, while the
Lackawanna fired the National salute of 81
guns The reason for taking possession of
these islands was the desire of the Govern
ment to make coaling station of them.
Congress has seldom meddled with the
flag. In 1894, when Vermont and New
Hampshire came into the Union, they de-
manded recognition on the flag, and Con-
gres5 undertook to satisfy them. On Jan.
13, 1885, it passed bill which changed the
flag to 10 stripes and 10 stars but in 1918 it
was changed again to its present design.
There were but 20 stars in the constellation
then, and now, when time is rounding out
the century, the flag still floats, the only
change being the addition of Star for a
State, and twice 90, with more added for
good measure now swell the constellation.
Flags are not merely so many yards of
silk or bunting They stand for principles.
They represent to their countrymen all that
is honorable and enduring, all that is noble
and eevating in his cOuntry's history and
institution. Indifference to the flag that
protects the home is akin to contempt fer
the insti. .utiOns which have fostered that
home. Contempt for the National institu-
tions breeds treason and anarchy, and an
archy threatens ruin of republican forms
of Government. For these reasons, if for no
other, lore and reverence for the flag should
be taught the little children of the land
from the moment they are old enough to be
attracted by its bright hues. Justice, unity,
freedom, loyalty, and human brotherhood
are symbolized by our flag. and these senti-
ments born I'm the hearts of American chill
dren, should be instilled in the minds and
hearts of the vast aggregation of foreign
born children, who under the protecting
folds of the American flag are fortifying
themselves in free schools for the battle of
life.
Flag Day is now almost a National holi-
day, State after State having recognized il,
and the movement widens with each sue
ceeding year, till Congress may once again,
perhaps, legislate about the flag, and make
its birthday grand National holiday.