The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-05-30
rnrs IS MEronIaL DAY!
Old Days of Patriotic Fire in tho Great
 Civil War RecnlleN.

Civil War Recalled. One generation from the death of President Lincoln, whose devotion to the nation, aided by patriotic services of the people, secured the triumph of our national unity, consolidating the energies of the nation on lines of peace and fraternal relations. Congress in recognition of these services set apart the 9Oth day of May as a national holi- day to take rank with the Fourth of July. These two national holidays are distinctively in recognition of the great services of Washington and Lincoln and their brave companions in arms. No sentimentalism flashes over the ho- riscope to dim their history. While Washington is regarded as the father of his country, Lincoln may be re- garded as it's savior. Both have lasting nich of fame In the history of the country. The Fourth of July for 100 years recalls the life of Washington. The 30th of May recalls the historic life of Lincoln.
 To-day business is largely suspended, and the people are awake to a con- sciousness of its sublimity in the list of national holidays. Flags are flying, cannons booming and the nation is in holiday attire, regardless of weather or rumors of war. Each yearly circuit of time witnesses increased recognition of their significance. Whatever dis functions divide the people on lines of political, social or public policy, the sentiment of the flag becomes the arbi- ter of settlement, and whichever way it points it's mandates are respected. It is an emblem of peace and not afraid of war upon land or sea.
 The history of flags on this conti- nent is somewhat diverse. The first flag raised upon American soil was raised by Columbus upon which was emblazoned the arms of Castile and Leon of Spain. It was a strange de- vice and of unmeaning heiroglyphics to the Indians. . The next flag was brought by Cabot of England in the reign of Henry VII It was an English royal banner till it bore the arms of St. Andrew, which gave it the name of Union Jack
 The flag which f1oated over the May flower crowded with Pilgrims, was the cross of St. George.
 The first significant flag of American origin, which take note was raised in Taunton, Mass, in 1774. It was in op- position to all flags of foreign nation alities It bore upon it's face in bold large letters Liberty and Union" :" Later in Portsmouth, N. H., people at the music of fife and drum marched through it's streets with flag, bearing in bold letters painted upon its folds 'Liberty Prosperity and No Stamps At the battle of Bunker Hill a flag was borne bearing the inscription Come if you dare.' These flags of local men tion struck the key note of the revolu- tion The Massachusetts legislature passed an act that for sea service, flags should be white with green pine tree upon it's folds, with the words "An Ap- peal to Heaven"
 Previous to the revolution different states and different localities had flags of different sentiments and so con- gress passed recognition of our nation al emblem, which superseded all others in national power and significance. Thirty-seven years ago this national emblem was shot down by rebellious hands from the parapets of Fort Sum- ter, but it's fall there stimulated it's ris- ing elsewhere. Flag raIsings became a feature of the time in cities, towns and hamlets. They f1oated from nick ory and ash poles on street corners from church steeples, public halls and from the camp where soldiers gathered to defend and preserve it's nationality. Thirty-seve years ago at Montowese, North Haven, was a flag raising, and a great crowd assembled to greet the event On removal of some old papers from my office to the waste basket preparatory to a change of office this morning, I came across notice of a speech I made at this flag raising. It was covered with accumulated dust of a generation.
 Samuel Culver, who had passed the seventieth mile stone in life's journey, an old line Jackson democrat, raised the flag. There was present M. San ford, Henry Clay, whfg; Rev. MT Judd of the Baptist church, the Eatons, Brockets, Sackets and others that swelled the crowd It was an enthu- siastic gathering, and the flag fioated it's significance for many months, greeting the eyes of all passers by. The writer of this article was one of the speaker on the occasion, with the al- lotment to speak upon the flag. Senti- ments on the flag there expressed are embodied here and give rise to this article, imperfect as they may appear under the searching lens of a genera tion of investigation. Associate speak CTS were Judge Joseph Sheldon, Colonel Homer B. Sprague, Hon. N. D. Sperry and others of this city upon topics as- signed to each. Since then the nation has passed through the vicissitudes of war, adding star after star upon the folds of it's banner, which to-day floats in unity and power over land and sea long may it wave defiance to all op- position and be crowned with victory in results. L. D. Munson,
 Saturday, May 2S, 1898.
 "The Spaniards are matching our battle cry, Remember the Maine,'