The Portland daily press., 1899-06-15

stars and stripes were adopted q commits
teeswas appointed to consider the subject
and report on general standard for all
the troops OF the colonies, that COMMITTEES
Morris and Col Ross They called upon
Betsey Ross. showing her q design they
had prepared. and asked her to make q
flag like II. Another writer says that
as they talked TO her, Washington drew
with pencil q design for her 10 follow.
II Is eaid that Washington drew his stars
With six points (English form) but that
Mrs Ross changed it to the fve pointed
shape (French rulel Our flags have the
dve-rointed. stars, our coins six-pointed.
Betsey Ross was the wife OF john Ross,
who kept an upholsterer's shop on Arch
street, Philadelphia, and he was cousin to
the Hon. George Ross, one of the signe RS
90 the Declaration of Independence. Her
maiden name was Griscom. She en-
joyed the national reputation Of being
the finest needle worker In America.
In May l777, Congress made an order
ON the treasury to pay Betsey Ross 2i4
lbs I'd for Gags for the fset in tho Della
ware river. She then received the con-
tract to make all the government q ags
and held 1t for many years. When Wash
ington took she presidential chair In 17so,
there were lS states In the union, none
having been added In IL years Two years
later vermont came In, and Kentucky
the next year, l7o2. In consequence Of
these additions Congress was disturbed
regarding the stars and stripes, and
committee was appointed to inquire into
the expediency Of altering the flag. After
much discussion 1t was laid over for two
years more.
The matter was referred to Capt. S. O.
Retd, famous privabeer who adv ised re-
ducing the number of stripes from lb to
III, increasing the number OF stars one for
obs.
one large star. This plan was abandoned,
and the plan of arranging them in rows
was adopted in 1878, providing that on
the admission of q new state one stsr
should be added on the 4th OF July fol-
lowing the admission of the state.
In 1895 another attempt was made to
rearrange the stars of s'Old Glory" by
MIR. Grafton, well-known artist OF Phil
adelphia. and resolutions were passed by
the ID. A. X. of Cincinnati recommend
Ing the change which was to give the
original l3 an honored position In circle
in the center, and the others In groups
Of threes and fivs. 1t WAS hoped to obtain
the favor of the Continental Congress of
ID. A. Il. before attempting TO SECURE it's
adoption by the United States govern
ment. But any one who heard the en-
phatio mo" in answer to the question,
would never attempt to change the flag
again.
OH NermOub ave. Washington, IL. u,
there is church called Christian church,
well known as the church of Jas. A. Gar.
field, where the stars and stripes are al
ways to be seen. From the center of the
arch over the pulpit is shield, and from
1t extends seven small flags. 1t is said to
be the only church In the country that
always displays the flag. A traveller In
Palis who thought 1t fitting act to visit
the tomb of the illustrious Franchman
dear TO the hearts Of all American patri-
OTIS, Marquis do Lafayette, made repeated
inaatries before hs could ascertain its
location. The grave Is situated In old
Paris, within the grounds of convent
that the ancestors of Lafayette! founded.
and where repose the remains of many OF
the nobility.
The first thing that attracted his atten-
ton In connection with the hero's tomb
was that above 1t Heated a silken flag
bearing the stars and stripes. Many
years ago an American gentleman left in
his will sum OF money for the special
purpose OF keeping an American dag for
ever flying above the grave of Lafayette.
1t has been done so ever since the will
went into effect, and whenever through
the wear or the elements one flag becomes
unserviceabie, another takes It's place.
Through untold centuries 1.-THE emblem OF
the country which in its early struggles
for liberty had his beneficent aid will
wave above his ashes. Il.