The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-06-30
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-ONE
YEARS OF OLD GLORY.

ONE HUNDRED AND TwENTy-oNI
YEARS OF OLD GLORY.
The recurrence Of the anniversary O
our National existence is a fitting occa
sion to recall the amazing advance o
the Star Spangled Banner over the
earth's surface in the 121 years thai
have elapsed since it was set up as the
emblem of the highest hopes of human
ity for freedom, civilization, and the
rights of man.
Our Flag-which, it may not be gen.
orally known, is the oldest in the world
to-day-was adopted June IA, 1777
On the succeeding 4th of July it foated
over scant 100000 people, occupy
ing narrow strip of country along the
Atlantic scaboard, from Portland, Me-.
to Savannah, Ga, and engaged in q
very doubtful struggle for life, liberty,
and the pursuit Of happiness"
Five years later-July 4, 17S3-it
VIGOROUSLY Haunted in the breeze as
the emblem Of Nation which had con-
qucred its Independence, and extended
its territory as far west as the Mississippi
River, and as far south as the French
possessions in Louisiana and the Span
ish "Floridas" Thirteen sovereign
States" owed it an allegiance more or less
qualified in the minds of their people by
their own ideas of States Rights.
The first foreign salute to the Flag
was given iii French port, Feb. Il,
177S.
The Flag was first shown in British
port Feb 3. 1888.
Tie Fourth Of July, 1871, saw two
new stars added to the Flag, by the
admission of Vermont and Kentucky.
The Fourth of July, 1903, saw the
whole of the vast Territory of Louisiana
under the Flag, which advanced to tie
Gulf of Mexico on the south and to
the line of the Spanish possessions Oh
the west.
The Fourth of July, 1922, saw " the
Floridas under the Flag, and our
boundaries rounded out to the seas on
the southeast.
The Fourth of July, 1916, saw the
imperial domain of Texas added.
The Fourth of July, 1S4S, saw our
boundaries extended to the Pacific
Ocean. The Flag then had so stars.
The Fourth of July, 1865, saw the
seeding States reconquered, the Govern
ment re-established on solid and endur-
ing foundations, and SO stars in the
Flag.
The Fourth of July, 1867, saw the
immense domain of Alaska-as large
as France, Germany, and Austro- Hun
gary put together-added to our terri
tory. We then had as much territory
as the whole of Europe, and the census
of 1870 gave us population of 49,
1874, Or about one-tenth that of
Europe.
The census of 1890 gave US a popu-
lation on the Fourth of July of that
year of 62,622,250, or more than one
sixth of that of all Europe.
The Fourth of July, 1898, sees 45
stars on our flag, and 100000 people
dwelling under it in peace and happi-
ness. It's benefcent, liberty bringing
folds are waving VIGOROUSLY for the first
time over thousands Of the islands of
the sea-over Cuba, with $4,000 square
miles, and 100000 people; over
Porto Rico, with $500 square miles,
and 100000 people; over Hawaii, with
6,740 square miles, and 10000 people
over the Philippines, with 115,62SI
square miles, and 100000 people.
The flag now encircles half the globe,
the suns rays reveal its beauty and
glory every hour of the long day, and
out of every 10 people on earth, one is
under the protecting aegis of Old
Glory.
The story is miracle of progress.
ANOTHER SPLENDID ACHIEVEMENT.
The landing Of the American Army
on the coast of Cuba is another glori-