The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-16
GOLDEN ROD AS OUR NATIONAL
FLOWER.

The golden rod has so glowing pres-
ence and language Of its own, it is the
harder to write about it. One should
rather have it in his hand, with its gay
plumes and bright face. to make its own
salute. But two or three of the many
reasons why it should be our national
flower are these:
First, it is emphatically an American
flower. or all its 100 species only two
are foreign, and eighty species make
their sole home in the United States. 1t
is as characteristic of our land as the
heather is of Scotland or the thistle of
Canada. Some form or species of it is
found growing abundantly all along our
gulf coasts. on the hillsides and prairies
everywhere from Maine to Mexico, from
Puget Sound to Key West.
1t does not have to be pampered or
coddled, but will thrive sby itself in
woods or pasture. by the dusty high
way or at the back end of lot, as well
as in the richest garden. 1t is brave
"pure gold" flower, always making the
best of its surroundings; always holding
up bright face in rain as we'll as SUM-
shine; at night as in the morning; by
the stream or wood or near the dusty
highway; democratic in spirit, hardy in
nature, with proper self-assertion and
independence.
1t has forethought and patience, and
so does not put out and spend itself
with the first spring day. but deliberate
the heat of July to then come forth
when it is wanted in its prolonged
wealth of bloom through the golden au-
tumn.
It's glowing beauty is unchallenged.
whether its rich gathered clusters stand
in 1.-THE Delft pitcher" of your sitting
room or when you stand close to
the edge of the woods. where the
open fields begin and let your eye
sweep over the perfect pillows of gold,
such as the golden rod forms there. To
look on this harvest of sunshine, which
no hand of man has aided in sowing,
gives us strange thrill, glimpse Of
the brightness the world holds for all
who will claim it.
Then it belongs to the large family
of the Compost e" or many in enc"
by which every flower plume is not only
made up of large number of blossoms,
but each blossom is composed of many
little flower heads. all joined together
and working in union and self-sacrifice
for the common good. What symbol
could be better?
Hear the summary of another's words
upon the fair competitors;
The mountain laurel-like the COLDER
rod, true American type. but unlike it,
shrinking from the haunte OF men and
fast becoming extinct.
The trailing arbutus-No, my pretty
recluse, we want on our national shield
no little shrinking flower, hiding and
suffering itself to be trodden under foot
of man. You will not do to be SYM
boil for country that looms upon the
horizon Of the world and heckohs to all
mankind.
The fringed gentian-Not wide awake
enough for our ensign; also fair
weather blossom that loses heart at
every cloud or drop of rain.
The cardinal flower has many warm
votariee. Its name is against it.
Asters are brought forward, but their
color is royal purple
No, give US an ensign that is brave
and democratic in spirit and always fly
ing its colors. A flower with the same
bright face. rain or shine, not known
merely to the botanist or poet. but to
the commonwealth.
Such is the golden-rod. She is not
called, she does not come, she is already
here, with confidence in her heart and
victory on her brow and thus she
speaks:
my name is Golden-rod. l am the
ordained messenger of that untold nat.
ural wealth which has blessed your
land. and is still your heritage. / am
member of hardy American family,
which has always been true to its native
sod.
A noble order, whose name means a
unit composed of many" am | not Co
lumbia's true emblem? My being is a
harmonious set of individuals, with
hearts that beat as one. Ever my mot
to has been 'E pluri6uS ununl.
The golden-rod is along every road
side, in every field, wood, prairie. A
perfect symbol Of union. wealth, cour-
age. ambition, liberty, brotherhood
The question is not What shall be?'
The golden-rod already is cur national
flower and ever must be.