The Irish standard., 1898-03-05
orial brass plates, bearing the arms of
the family, which consisted of shield
%bo$ hora ho opd ot,


In the records of the archaeological So
oiety of England, the highest authority
on ancient churches and heraldic mat
ters, it is stated that in the red and white
bars, the stars of his shield and the raw
en- issuant from its crest (borne later by
George Washington, the trainers Of the
United States constitution got their idea
of the national emblem. When Sir John
Washington, great-grandfather Of the
first president, came to the new world to
be rid of the protector" Q657) the
family shield was not forgotten. Set
Ting in Virginia, Sir John established
the American line of Washington. In
due time George Washington came to
bear this emblem about his person. Its
design was blazoned upon the panels Of
his carriage. Two watch seals and a
book mark bore the same red bars, five
pointed stars, and raven issuant Cher
aldic) ION the rise" from the ducal coro-
net. The commissions Of some officers
of the army of Independence bore this
seal. From this embryo flag the transit
ton was easy to the one made by Betsy
Ross under the supervision of Washing
ton, and subsequently adopted by con-
gress.
The first resemblance to national
standard dates from the results of Ben
jamin Franklin and Messrs. Harrison
and Lynch. They were chosen by con-
gress as committee to create national
flag. They adopted the kings colors"
as union, reunited with 13 stripes, al
ternate red and white, showing that al
though the colonies united for defense
against England's tyranny, they still
acknowledged her sovereignty" This
flag was first hoisted by Gen. Washing
ton, Jan. 2, 1776, at his headquarters at
Cambridge, Mass. 1t received salute of
13 guns and 13 cheers. 1t was known as
the flag of the union" 1t consisted of a
and st. Andrew in the upper corner of a
blue field, bordered by the 13 stripes. Its
composition was the blending of the
colony flags, all of which, with one ex-
ception, bore one or more of the three
chosen colors-red, white and blue
The United States flag is home pro-
duction. 1t is indigenous to American
soil. Its babyhood bore some resem-
blance to its English cousins, but that
was because it was baby. 1t has out
grown the resemblances Of childhood.
The forefathers, with artistic taste, chose
its appropriate colors, and with consum-
mate skill harmonized them in such q
fashion as to make the first flag distinc-
lively American. 1t was not the inspira-
tion of moment, but gradual growth
AS a storm tossed wave, it reflected the
changeful skies above it. The colors are
symbolic. Red signifies divine love;
white is the symbol of truth and hope;
blue, loyalty, sincerity and justice. Thus
Americanized, they portrayed in the flag
all that was ncblest and distinctive in
the character Of the forefathers.
1t was in the spring of 1777, one yeal
after the battle Of Lexington, that con.
gress appointed committee authorized
to design a suitable flag for the nation
Accompanied by Gen. Washington, they
called upon Mrs. Betsy Ross, of Phila.
delphia, and engaged her to make a tlas
from pencil drawing made by Washing.
ton. The flag thus designed was adopt
ed by congress June IA, 1777.
The act is as follows: Resolved, That
the flag of the thirteen united states b,
13 stripes, alternate red and white; tha
the IL stars, white in a blue field, repre-
senting a star. 1t was Immediately
adopted, and she was given the contrac
to make the new flags. In May, 1777
| congress made an order on the treasur,
to pay Betsy Ross e14 12s I'd for flags fol
the fleet in the Delaware river Sht
then received the contract to make al
the government flags, and held it fol
many years. One of her daughters, Mrs
Clarisa Wilson, succeeded to the business
and continued making flags for the ar
| senal and navy yard for while, but be-
ing a Friend, and conscientious on tn.
subject Of war, she gave up the govern
ment contracts, but continued the manu-
| facture of flags for the merchant marine
| Betsy Ross was married three times
her third husband being John Claypole
a descendant of Oliver Cromwell. He
maiden name was Griscom. Her grand
father, Andrew Griscom, brought owe
! bricks from England, and with them bull
the f1rst brick building in Philadelphia
| From authentic sources it appears tha
| Betsy Ross before her marriage enjoyed
national reputation as the finest needl
worker in America.
Up to this time Betsy Ross has beel
subjected to oblivion. History has bee,
very negligent with her, possibly becaus
she was a woman. The movement viii
have hearty result. AS the schoo
children throughout the country have tn
matter brought to their attention, the,
| will naturally want to know all abou
Betsy Ross. History will be searched
and interesting facts cleaned
|
Rev. John P. Chadwick, the chaplain
of the Maine, has been highly praised by