New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-03
OUR NATIONAL FLOWER.
AN ASSOCIATION TRYING TO BRING
ABOUT THE OFFICIAL ADOPTION
OF THE CoLUMB1NE.
A MOVEMENT STARTED THAT HAS THE INDoRsh
MENT OF THOUSANDS OF REPhEsENIA-
r1vEs-AN INSPIRING TOPIC.

MENr OF THOUSANDS OF REPRESENTA-
r1vEs-AN INSPIRING TOPIC.
tn, coluub,ne Association whose object Is 70
bring about the Official adoption OF the co!uhoihe
as the National flower Of the United States mas
Nlst completed the first year Of Its WORK since us
orSanizat,on in Boston The movement was started
with the Endorsement OF many representative
Americans, including artists. writers h0i'o1
riss and botanists in various parts OF the country
and the association has already some thousailus
OF members from nearly every state IN inc O'IoA
New-York Is among the nlghesl III P0'"' " ~
bers upon the roll
As an inspiring topic in class work teachers are
finding the columbine idea particularly valuable
ARRANGEMENTS have been made in certain schoois
TO have the consideration OF Columbias moral en-
blem form an In portant feature OF exhibition ex-
ercses and managers Of fairs arrange Tor the
sal. Of columbine leaflets, badges and various
co.umbne novelties and for the reception OF mem
beers into the association
The most important work OF the association was
accomplished in connection with the National
Flower Convention, held at Asheville, y. T., last
October This convention was composed OF dele
gates appointed by the Governors Of their respec-
tive States at the request Of Governor Elias Carr
Of North Carolina and was convened for the pur-
pose OF choosing and recommending 10 congress
flower 10 be adopted as the National floral emblem.
The delegates and alternates chosen from Massa-
the Columbine Association and two OF It's coun-
cflors The president Of the association was unan-
iuously elected TO preside at the convention AS
the result of its deliberations. the convention de-
cided in the first place that any Recommendation
10 Congress at that time would be premature ana
that before such action could properly be taken on
a matter of so great and far-reaching Importance
further opportunity should be given 10 the people
al large 10 consider all aspects OF the question.
This decision was entirely IN accord with the posi-
ton which has always been maintained by the
Columbne Association. namely that a National
flower should be chosen by Congress only in re-
Spouse 10 a widespread popular demand. In the
second place in order 10 further profitable dis
cusson of the question, the convention passed
unanimously resolution setting forth the qualif-
cations a flower should possess in order properly
10 serve as an emblem Of the United States.
The qualifications demanded are In substance. as
follows: The plant should be native 10 and grow
wild over the greater part Of country I: should
be easy of cultivation in garden. II should not
be a weed in way harmful or OFFENSIVE 10
health. 1t should bear what In the popular sense
NAV be called a flower, and not be merely foliage
plant or one chiefly valued for its fruit 1t should
bloom on our National holidays and should lend IT.
SELF well TO floral decoration by variety of color
and distinctiveness Of form. The features char
acteristic OF its form should combine such sim
plicity and dehnitcness than when used convention
ally in decorative design the flower may be readily
recognized independently OF its color II should be
f flower which has never been used by any for
ecn people as their floral emblem, and 1t should
not resemble such flower in general form. Flnal-
~ II should, If possible. possess patriotic assoca-
tons plainly connecting with the best for which
our country stands among the nations of the world
ANY one al all familiar with the fora Of the
United States will see at once that the columbire
(aouilegfal or wild honeysuckle,' as 1t Is some
times called, is the only flower that can possibly
meet all these conditions all other candidates tha'
have been suggested being plainly excluded That
such was the opinion of large majority OF the
delegates at the convention shown by the re-
suit of an informal ballot.
The president of the Columbine Association Is
Frederick lie Roy Sargent Of Cambridge, Mass
formerly teacher in the summer course in botany
at Harvard University end instructor in botany at
the University of Wisconsin. In a letter received
here yesterday Mr.. Sargent says:
The meeting of this National Convention; com
posed OF members officially chosen 10 consider me
was an event without parallel In the history OF the
world. and marks the most important step thus FAR
soon recognized by the convention that the great
Of s fora al caPndidates for cOnsderationof which
there has been already an oVer-Suppy-As care
date should possess IN order TO be worthy Of con-
sheraton at all For years here has sd been no
clear idea Of what was necessary or desirable in
National flower ana SI NC renc i6n idcous and
20 hing the whole matter into disrepute among
even the question Of our National flower comes up
for consideration among persons competent 10 us
cuss IL the resolution of the AsheVille conNeh-
ton setting forth essential qualifications VIII IN
doubt form basis OF the n!ScusSlOt. ne
oualfca lions demanded by this resolution VIII be
found 90 combine all the features which the expert
Of centuries has shown 10 b" desirable IN tht
national flowers Of other countries, ana NHlCll. III
the same time would be possible in a floral emblem
for our own. Let these qualifications once De ad-
nitted as representing the best attalnabo ldeal.
and the one conclusion which naturally follows j
that the coumbine should be our National mower
The Columbine Association thus holds the Key 70
the situation. The outcome Of the National mower
movement already so far advanced toward a haply
conclusion depends upon the support when the
people OF country give 10 this unique organiza-
cooperation OF all who interested IN the dgni-
fed sensible and speedy Accomplishment OF an
aim which is dear 10 the hearts Of many patri-
Otto Americans. The association holds itself ~
readiness for the OppOrtunc moment for circulating
and finally presenting 10 Congress popular petit
ton urging the official recognition o. the column
bine as Columba's floral emblem. Before this part
Of tho work can be undertaken with good prospect
bers In all parts OF the country The association il
waging q campaign Of education. The results at
tanned thus FAR have been highly encouraging. and
the prospect Of finally accomplishing our purpose
The association needs funds 10 enable 1. 10 take
advantage Of the great opportunities now offered
for rapidly increasing the sphere Of It's influence.
especially tho schools wher" II allies itself
most helpfully with the patriotic efforts Of edu-
Gators In seycra. branches Of their work. Every
one Is invited 10 join the assoca ton. There
no dues assessments after the payment OF an
initiation fee Of 10 cents which IL merely cover
the OF the Illuminated certificate and other
printed matter sent 10 members. II should hardly
DC necessary to add that those connected with the
government of the association do not receive any
remuneration for their services. but all money