Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1900-05-28

body Of troops having its own flag. But
on Jan. 2, 1916. the flag of the united
colonies was first displayed in
General Washington's camp. This
was flag with thirteen stripes,
and the Union was the kings colors. But
our people had to wait little longer for
one official flag standing for the exist
ence, for the honor and strength of an.
other nation on the worlds great map
1t cane on the I4th day of June, I777,
when Congress resolved 'that the flag of
the United States be thirteen stripes,
alternating red and white; that the Union
be thirteen stars, white, in a blue field,
representing new constellation" This
beautiful emblem of national pride and
purity-the new flag on the breezes-was
displayed at the siege of Fort Stanwix, in
August. I777; at the battle Of Brandywine
on September II; at Germantown on Octo-
Der 4, and thirteen days later at the sur
render of the British under Burgovne.
Iu one period of our history, from I777
to 1895, the flag had the thirteen stars in
a blue canton arranged in a circle; sub
sequertly there were fifteen stars in the
constellation, the circle being composed
of ten and the other five stars being ap
propriately ranged outside of it. This
flag was created by an Act of Congress,
which declared "that after the first day
of May, 1875, the flag of the United States
be fifteen stripes, alternating red and
white. and the Union be fifteen stars,
white, in blue field" the two additional
stars and stripes probably being accounted
for in the fact that two new States had
been admitted into the Union-Vermont
in 1891 and Kentucky in 1892 But it
became necessary to make further altera-
tions in the flag because of the admission
of still other States into the Union, and
hence the fitness of recognizing their ad-
mission in some becoming manner in the
national emblem, So, in 1913, Congress
passed another act, which completed the
evolution of the brightest and proudest
flag now borne aloft by human power.
The Act declared that from the fourth of
July of that year the flag of the United
States be thirteen horizontal stripes,
alternate red and white, and that the
Union have twenty stars, white, in blue
field; and, further, that on the admission
of every new State into the Unicn one
eta ha o1IaI TO 6 aax
and that such addition shall take effect
on the fourth of July next succeeding the
admission of the State to the Union.
Since the adoption of this Act no changes
have been made in the national flag, ex-
cept the addition of stars, until now the
constellation contains forty five stars.
This emblem of our country is said to
be the most beautiful banner among the
nations of the world, and wherever it
floats it stands as the symbol of human
liberty" Every true American citizen is
imbued with the sentiment so eloquently
expressed by Charles Sumner There Is
the national flag! He must be cold, in
deed, who can look upon its folds ripping
in the breeze without pride of country
If he be in foreign land, the flag i.
companionship and the country itself
with all its endearments. Who, as ht
sees it, can think of State merely
Whose eye. once fastened upon its radi
ant trophies, can fail to recognize III;
image of the whole nation? Its highes
beauty is in what it symbolizes. II
stripes of alternate red and white pro
claim the original union of thrice,
States to maintain the Declaration G
Independence. Its stars, white on fiel
OF blue, proclaim that union of State
constituting our national constellation
9 which receives new star with every ne'
State. The two together signify unior
, past and present. The very colors hay
, language: white is for purity, blue fc
q justice, and red for valor; and altogethe
bunting stripes, stars, and colors, blaziu
4 in the sky, make the flag of our countr,
. to be cherished by all our hearts; to
t upheld by all our hands," 1t is becau
e we love this flag which was created b
d Washington and the struggles Of the re
e olutionary war, and which was say,
!. from being rent in twain by Lincoln al
n the army of the republic, and would She
II our respect to the memory of those tr
It and brave men who fell on the field,
l. expired in prisons, or in hospitals, al
l. would vet honor in profound gratitud
IS and with all becoming demonstration
< the noble veterans who still survive I
(" dreadful troubles of 1876 that
" have come together again in religio
service of this character. Thank Go
ID that we have been permitted to see Il
re day and this hour. o, let the day
Mt sacred III a two-fold sense all over c
III land; sabbath hallowed by human
lie fections and consecrations All clou
N be lifted from our horizon and let the d
X be fair from east to west; from north
&, south. May memories be tender and |