Evening journal., 1901-06-01
OBSERVE FLAG DAY

A circular letter OF general interest
has been issued by the American Flag
Association, composed OF flag commit
tees from veteran, military. patriotic
and historical societies in the United
States. formed in 1897 to promote rever-
ence for and prevent the desecration of
the flag Of our country. The letter IS
addressed to the mayor of each Ameri-
can city, to the American press, to the
officers and members Of all American
patriotic societies to all school
officers and school teachers
and to feilow citizens generally
Attention is called to the approach OF
June IA. the first Flag Day in the
twentieth century. and the cooperation
Of all is solicited in obtaining the wild
est possible recognition of the day, and
a general and patriotic celebration.
It is stated that the l4th OF June has
come TO be considered by the patriotic
citizens OF this country as Flag Day,
because on that day in 1777, Congress
enacted: That the flag of the thir-
teen United States be thirteen stripes,
alternate red and white; that the
Union be thirteen stars, white In blue
field. representing a new constellation. -
The number Of stripes having been In
creased by the admission OF new states
our sure to be expended future dawned
upon our fathers and the original thir-
teen stripes were unchangeably restored
on April 4. 1918. when Il was enact
ed by Congress: THAT from and after
the fourth day Of July next, the flag o
the United States be thirteen horizontal
stripes, alternate red and white; tha
the Union be twenty stars. white in ;
blue field, and that on the admission o
new State into the Union, one star b'
added to the Union of the flag an,
that such addition take effect on th'
fourth day OF July next succeeding
such admission" Since 1918 twenty
five stars OF sovereign States have beel
added to the Union, making forty-fiv
in all
The civil war Of 1S61-5 gave neN
meaning TO our flag. IT,. before, ha
reverence for the sake Of revolutionar
memories. Since that struggle, It ma
become the symbol of a mighty nation
Later yet, the Spanish-American wa
has carried IL into the uttermost part
OF the earth, the herald Of a civiliz'
tion not belonging to the dark ages, {
to centuries that tolerated cruelty an
oppression but carrying liberty. or Il
hose Of liberty wherever It has bee
sfttDwn to the breeze. Americans ca
not fail OF a feeling OF pride and sa
isfaotion. nor restrain the swelling
patriotism in the breast, when we thil
of tine contrast Of circumstances, al
OF promises made manifest. in far al
tant lands in which ours and other fla
have been displayed together
The day OF our self-respect has con
and the people are looking to God
confidence OF the blessing that He
ways besrows upon the hearts and liz
OF men who dare to defend the
pressed.
The stars and stripes now poss
new beauty for friendly eyes and 4
terror for the foes OF liberty.
We earnestly exhout our citizens
join in making the celebration Of +
Day an event in this first year Of
new century, and to see TO it that
stars and stripes with all they m
shall On June IA. 1901. greet the ris
and salute the setting sun. from ey
church edifice. school and public bu
ing. and also from every private DIV
ing, however humble, throughout
entire land
In many Of the public schools, as
CURED by law. and also in pri
schools, exercises will be conducte
celebration Of Flag Day. We solicit
extension Of this wholesome prac
and express our gratitude at the d
ful omen fer the future OF our An
can institutions that the generate
youth that is leading the columns a.
the line Of this the dawning Of