The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-06-16

Flag Adopted in Sept. 3,
H77, but Used by Wash
irgtOn at Battle of
Brandywine

than century. Although much has
been said and written OF its inception.
adoption and meaning. the American
people seem never to tire Of the sub.
ject, and the members OF congress and
the heads OF the great executive de.
partments at Washington are con.
stantly receiving communications re.
questing information respecting the
national emblem, says the Washington
star
Perhaps unusual interest has been
aroused among the people because OF
the more general observance OF Flag
day in the public schools. or they have
been brought to think OF the flag and
for what Il stands by the enlarged i'm.
poTtance OF the United states as a
world power resulting from the war
with Spain. The inspiring strains OF
Sousa's stars and Stripes Forever" {"
too. have doubtless contributed In no
small degree in arousing interest In
the subject, but the long deferred ac
quiescence OF the public in the adop.
tion OF Francis Scott Keys beautiful
Star Spangled Banner" as the nation.
al anthem appears 10 have been the
finishing touch necessary TO stir the
heart and pulse of the masses OF the
people TO a. proper appreciation OF
their beautiful and symbolic flag.
Quite recently Senator Hoar ad.
dressed an autograph letter 10 the
war department. requesting in behalf
OF a most estimable lady OF Massach.
usetts, a teacher In one OF the public
schools. a full description OF the
American flag as authorized by law
and customs; the lawful number OF
stripes, and the proper color, and what
, the Union Jack means; also request
|. ing information as 10 what II the law
I ful American coat-orarms.
Replying thereto. the secretary OF
war transmitted a copy OF memoran
dun prepared under the direction OF
the quartermaster general OF the army
descriptive OF the several iags carried
by the army OF the United States 10
gather with a description Of the Union
Jack and the al OF the United States
lprocured. respectively. from the navy
department aad the department Of
state.
Stripes had Been Used.
All this oficial information has been
embodied by Mr.. James II. Churchill
Of the secretary's once into a circular
letter which Is now invariably used in
responding 10 requests for Information
regarding the fiag. the Union Jack and
the seal OF the United States. Accord
ling 20 these records. the American
congress In session AZ Philadelphia,
Pa. established by It's resolution
adopted June IL. 1777. a national
flag a. flllows;
THAT the fag Of the thirteen United
States be thirteen stripes alternate
red and white; that the union be
thirteen stars. white In a blue held,
representing a new constellation
The use OF the thirteen stripes was
not a new feature. as they had been
used. IN alternate white and blue, on
the upper left hand corner Of a stand
ard presented 70 the Philadelphia
Light Horse by its captain in the early
part OF 1875. and. moreover. the Union
flag OF the thirteen united colonies.
raised at Washington's headquarters
al Cambridge January ?. 1776, had the
Thirteen stripes Just as they appear In
the flag this day. but Il also had the
crosses Of St George and ST. Andrew
on a blue ground IN the corner, instead
OF the thirteen stars. No satisfactory
evidence has ever been produced 20
prove that a flag bearing the Union OF
the stars and stripes had been IN pub
lic use prior 10 the resolution Of June'
ll777.
II Is claimed that Mrs. John Ross
Of Philadelphia was the maker OF the
hrst flag combining the stars ana
stripes. Her descendants assert that
a committee OF congress- together
With General Washington. engaged
her IN June. 1875. 70 make has from
a rough drawing, which a. her shsges
ton was redgaWn By General Wash
If,eron osfth mcneil IN her back parl0r
land the rag thus designed Fas adopt
"a by congress,
A. Battle Of 5randy~ine.
Although ne resolution estaDhahins
the Gag was not ofheiaily Dfomulsatea
until September 3. l777 Il Is well au'
thenticated that the siFs and Stripes
we're carried Al the battle Of Brandy
wlue September -. I'LL and thenee