Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-20

| are familiar with the story. You know
| of course, that the first flag had the
/ thirteen bars of red and white, and
| thirteen stars in a field of blue, typical
of the union of the thirteen original
states. When Vermont and kentucky
| were admitted to the union, they too
demanded representation on the ma
| tional emblem. So congress odered two
more stripes and two more stars added
to the flag. 1t was then that Uncle
| Sam found himself confronted with a
serious difficulty, as he gazed across the
vast domains--beyond the Alleghenies,
the Mississippi, and even the Rocky
mountains. For if every future state
should demand a stripe and a star,
there was danger, that in time. the
beautiful flag might swell to the pro-
portions of circus tent, or modern
poster. AT this juncture. however, some
bright patriot solved the question by
suggestion. that the thirteen original
bars be retained, but for each new
state, a star be added to the field of
blue.
In these 125 years our national con-
stellation has grown from thirteen to
forty-five states, representing the al
legiance of more than 50,000,000 of peo-
pie.
Beautiful as they are In themselves,
10 the eyes of a true-born American tbs
not the stars, or the bars, of which this
handful of bunting is made, that has
caused men to go forth from their homes
and families into the long and silent
marches of unknown lands; beneath the
scorching rays of tropical sun, or en-
drre the cold and SHOWS of a northern
winter, to suffer hunger, sickness, aye,
end death itself But the great princi-
form the foundation-ston on which our
government stands and of which this
flag is only the symbol, as the cross to
the followers of Christ
Edward Everett has said of the flag:
Fidelity to the union blazes from It's
stars, and allegiance to the government
under which we live, is wrapt in Its
folds Senator Hoar's tribute can best
be appreciated by those who have trav-
eled in foreign lands. He says: i have
seen the glories of art and architecture
and of mountain and river. have seen
the sunset on the Jungfrau. and the full
moon rise over Mount Blanc, but the
fairest vision on which these eyes ever
looked was the flag of my own country
in foreign land 1t has been called the
.unconquerable flag for as far as we
know 1t is the only emblem of any ma
ton that has never trailed in the dust.
Perhaps some day, some of you boys
may be called upon to defend these col
crs, as your fathers did, maybe, or your
or Observation-Disclosures
have done before you; for remember.
without their defense of the great cause
of liberty, these societies of the Daugh-
ters and Children OF the American Revo-
luton would never have been. And
should that day ever come. and your
hearts attuned to loyalty beat like
drums in unison to the same great
truths for which this flag has ever stood, |
the hosts of heaven will still preserve
The stars apd stripes forever"
AT the end of these remarks Miss Hell
an Abbott struck up the famous battle
march of Sousa's, THE Stars and |
stripes Forever" and Master Frank
Click, the little color bearer, stepped I
onward and received the flag on behalf /
# the society, the children gathering
'ound to give their pledge of allegiance.
Then followed recitation of James
yhitcomb Riley, "Old Glory" by Miss
Mamie Gilchrist. which SHE gave In
most pleasing manner. The program
iosed by the singing of America" by
III present. Mrs. Kibbey served dainty
tiny silk flags being CIV
n as souvenirs. Rebecca Bates Society,
shich was organized nearly year ago,
vas the first branch of the C. A. r. in
he state of Iowa. 1t has charter mem
ership of fourteen, with goods prospects
{ many recruits the coming year. It's
bject is the promotion of patriotism
mong children.