The Worthington advance., 1900-06-29
: THE STARS A AND STRIPES.
or'sin of the Flag Of the United
states-nIaker of the First
s.Old GlOry.' .r.

On June H. 1777, the continental
congress in session; in independence
hall, Philadelphia, passed resolution
declaring that tthe flag of the United
States be 10 stripes, alternating red
and white; that the union be 13 stars
white in a blue field, representing a
new constellation" The origin of the
stars is uncertain. It is said by some
to- have been due to, three stars in
Washington's coat-of-arms. More
probably it tarose}from some patriotic
speech or poem of the time, in which
appeared the very natural comparison
of the rising states with the stars of
a new constellation ,
The story of Betsy Ross has been
often told. yet, isays the Chicago
Standard, it deserves to be remem-
bered, as one of the great services
rendered by women to the cause Of
liberty: The story goes-and it is
probably, authentic in it's main fea-
ftures- that shortly after the passage
of the resolution by congress COM
mittee, appointed to: attend to the
maq0facture of flags after the pat
tern adopted sought the humble
abode of. Mrs. John Ross, familiarly
known as 'fBetsy;f' for that purpose.
The house. is still standing in Arch
street Philadelphia. <; Mrs. Ross was
flag-maker to the government; and as
many imports ant. things were done, in
those days. in low-ceiled rooms, with
rag carpets. and humble furniture, the
committee, accompanied by Gen.
Washington, probably felt no lessen
ing of their dignity in this visit. They
explained to BETSY" he new design,
which she readily comprehended, and
then left her to her great task Did
Betsy know how great a thing she
was making as she sti titched the
stripes and stars of bunting in their
place? Was it just an ordinary Job
of sewing, or did she have prophetic
glimpse of far distant scenes of tri-
umph where that flag and others like
it were to float? Nobody knows. But
the flag was soon made. and was hoist
ed on the flagstaff above old Inde-
pendence hall. Our national fortunes
were made. We had flag.
The flag with the 13 stripes and tie
13 white stars in a circle on a blue
field was carried all though the war
and for years afterward. When states
began to be added to the union, how
ever. the number 13 became less ap-
propriate. 1t was felt that the new
states might regard themselves al.
slighted it they had TO recognition,
in the national colors. So in 1895 two
new stars and stripes were added. for
the new states of Vermont and Ken
lucky; and in following years the
same process was continued as the
nation grew, until in 1918 the flag
had become somewhat, distorted. It
had 20 stri pes as we'll as 20 stars; and
its shape was therefore less graceful.
Congress decided, therefore, by reso-
luton approved by President Monroe,
April 4, 1918, that the stri pes should
be reduced to the original 13, while.
the stars should be increased in num-
ber from time to time as new states
were added. This arrangement was
suggested by Capt. Samuel C. Reid,
veteran of the war of 1872. This
flag was first displayed on the capitol
at Washington April 13. 1918. The
plan has been unchanged since that
time, but stars have been rapidly
added, until the number is now As.
After the admission of new state,
the addition of the star is made. on.
the following Fourth of July; that is,
it is on that day that all the army
posts. the government vessels and the
public buildings all over the country
first hoist the new flag.