Evening star., 1897-06-09
BIRTH OF COUNTRYS FLAG
A Striking Picture Representative of the In
teresting Event.
Scene Laid in Home of the Famous
Betsy Ross-On Exhibition at
Woodward & Lothrop's.

Large and increasing crowds are being
attracted to the art gallery In Woodward
& Lothrop's Boston House by the original
historical painting, Birth of Our Nations
Flag" now on exhibition there The large
and striking canvas hangs In an excelien;
light at the southern end of the apartment,
ard represents an important episode In the
early history of the republic
The scene pictured is a room in the home
of the famous Betsy Rcss. or. more prop
erly. Mrs. Elizabeth Ross, on Arch street
In Philadelphia. The matron, seated in a
high-back chair, holds. spread before her,
the original American flag.
The Distinguished Group.
The field of the emblem is held in her left
hand and the thirteen stars are arranged
IN wreath. Gen. George Washington sits
regarding 1t intently, with his right hand
easily extended in an approving gesture.
Robert Morris is looking at him earnestly,
and standing behind the latter, with his
hand resting on the chair in which the
great fnancier is sitting, is George Ross
The artist Charles H. weisgerber has
handled his subject with much ability. and
artistic standpoint.
ihe story told in this strong portrayal
Is interesting. 1t is generally accepted as a
1act that the idea of the stars and stripes
a
tlonal emblem by the coat-of-arus of
George Washington. The first flag used bv
the coionieS was the union jack of Eng
l.ha, Comoined with thirteen alternate rcd
ana white stripes. indicating that while The
colonies We're united against England's on
preston, they still acknowledged her SOW
ereignty.
Committee Appointed.
A committee was created by Congress
IN i'i' TO devise national flag, and Geo
6
Ross were appointed as its members.
pencil sketch of the proposed flag was
drawn by Washington. and met the an
proval of his colleagues The legend has
II tnat Betsy Ross had brcidered shirts
Ior washington, and he had greatly adj
mireo her deft needle work. so when il
was decided to have the drawing renro
duced as a real flag. Betsy was engaged
Tor the duty. Washington Instructed her
10 make the stars six pointed ones but
Betsy SAID heavens stars were only five
pointed, and that siX-pointed stars were
only found i'll English coats of arms
Inc argument prevailed, and when the
nag was completed the committee called
10 inspect it. The artist has takap ,h,,
visit as his inspiration.
Flag Formally Adopted.
The flag was formally adopted by Con-
sress Jure IA. 1tfI, which resolved that
the flag of the thirteen United States be
and that the union be thirteen stars
White, in blue field" Two more strtnas
ana TWO more stars were added when Ver.
mont ana Kentucky were added to the
Onlcn, and this flag was foated during
the war of 1872.
In 1878, however the thirteen strtnes
We're re-established, and it was provided
that there should be twenty stars In the
neIo, new star to be added for each new
state the 4th of July succeeding its a6mis
sion to the Union. This provision went
into effect July 4. 1878. and the flag thus
designed remains the national emblem of
Tue greatest country on earth to this day.
House of Betsy Ross.
Inc picture now on exhibition was first
shown at the worlds Columbian exposi.
ton at Chicago. and attracted great atten-
ton. Out of this general notice grew a
movement to form an association TO raise
FUNDS to purchase the old house of BETSY
Ross, which stands at No. 239 Arch street.
Fmladelphla, and preserve it and 10 build
monument to the woman who made ihe
nrst flag. Accordingly the Betsy Ross so-
ciety was formed, and now has members
all over the country.
Mr.. Weisgerber is himself a member md
the proceeds of the exhibition of his mic
ture is devoted to the fund. which is also
benented by the sale of large and small
engravings of the production.
A Valuable Lesson.
The presence of the picture in Washing
ton at this time is particularly fortunate.
as next Monday will be Flag day. and II
will serve as a valuable lesson to the
school children, who are now studying the
history Of their country as well as to
adults. Woodward & Lothrop have ad-
dressed letters to the principals of the va
rious schools, extending an Invitation to all
pupils to come and see the Birth of the
Natlon Ffag next Saturday, June II.