The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-10

Buntlng Is paying a great part III
New York decoration to-day, and has
played a greater part in decorating his
tory, says the New York Sun. There's
material for a good book in the stories
of deeds that have been done in all
countries n in all times to save ma
tional emblems from falling into the
hands of enemies. The record would
be a very long one. for, even in early
Egyptian days, men defended thu stan1-
ard at any cost, but those early stand
ards were of metal, and the waving
flag belongs to times comparatively
modern, while few of the national flags
in use to-day can go further back than
the last century for their origin,
During the middle ages banners were
individual rather han national, and
each kin and knight bore his own de-
vice. When national emblems were
used they were of a religious charac-
ter, and many of the modern flags bear
traces of this religious symbolism. For
centuries the national standard of En-
gland bore the cross of st. George
where the union Is now placed. rms
was in grateful recognition of ST.
Georges help at the siege of Antioch.
The English soldiers, so says the le-
gene, were IdlnL d1lu "dNNiihSf NpCh
an innumerable host Of heavenly sol
diers, in white, descended, led by 81.
George, put the enemy TO flight and
thoughtfully showed the hungry En-
glishmen where to find food. From
that day the English swore by 81.
George and zone other, until, unde
James l., Scotland and England were
united. Then there was roubl Tor
Britons and saints.
Thu obstinate Scots refused to admit
that there was any saint in the calen-
dar to compare with st. Andrew. TO
be sure, he had never led reinforce
ments to their aid. but they had fougf1t
under his white cross on a III ground
ever since he had appeared TO Achains,
King of Scots, before a great battle
with Athelstane, and had promised VIC
tory to the Scottish arms. The scots
wouldn't allow the cross Of st. George
70 outrank the cross of st. Andrew, and
the difficulty Ia hardly been settled
when ireland came into the union, and
st. Patrick was a candidate for honors.
The partisans Of both st. George and
81. Andrew set their faces against the
Intruder. and said that he was no saint,
and that by rights he didn't own a cross
because he never laid down his life Tor
the faith. However, the Irish contend
ed that under English rule their cross
was heavy enough to do for st. Patrick.
700, Anu now ttt III hoS
Britain bears the crosses OF the three
saints. though the Scotch and Irish still
quarrel because heraldic authorities
gave st. Patrick's emblem advantage.
The history Of the stars and stripes rs
too we'll known to Americans TO need
much comment. At the beginning OF the
revolution flags of many different de
signs sprang up, and II was not until
1777 that Washington and his advisers
decided upon a national flag which was
the basis of the present emblem. "A
Mrs. Ross of Arch street, Philadelphia
carried out the design. which proved so
satisfactory that II was adopted by CON
eress and has not been changed save IN
the number of the stars and stripes ana
the arrangement of the former.
Red. white and blue are the favorite
colors of flag heraldry and are ound in
many of the national flags. The TIL
color OF France really dates no furthef
back than the revolution. The earliest
national emblem of France was the blue
chape OF ST. Martin, Later the red orr
f,amme of St. Denis came into use, and
the Bourbon kings fought under a white
banner. The tricolor is a remlniscence
of the three banners which had foated
over victorious armies Of France. II
was retained under the empire. though
Napoleon powdered 1t with golden bees
The return of the Bourbons set 1t aside
and after the second revolution there
was a movement TO adopt the blood-red
Hag, but Louis Blanc turned the tide In
favor of the tricolor by a speech cele-
brating the past victories of France.
The German flag vas devised afte'
the union Of the German states. which
occurred at the close Of the Franco
Prussian war. The arms of he ohen
zoIerns and the famous Teutonic fror
Cross are its most conspicuous features
Tie Italian flag. too. is a matter Of
recent history. When Napoleon gave
Italy her first taste of liberty he. in hi
sutocratic fashion. also gave her a has
which suited him, n when later VIC
tor Emmanuel was king of free anC
united Italy his people chose for theil
emblem the red, white and green fial
which Napoleon had given them. bu'
they added to IL the arms Of the hous'
OF Savoy.
Russia. Austria m Prussia all show
a trace of the Roman eagles, thouS
modified in each case by heraldic design
Denmark has the oldest flag Of Eu
roma the first flag Of the design hayfng