The National tribune., 1906-05-03

BILE indignity and outrage. even to de-
stroying 1t with contempt. And the
now-powerful Nation which brought
into existence by the bitter struggle OF
the Revolution this banner Of stars and
stripes, and has preserved Ii through
woeful horrors and bloodshed, regards
such shameful offenses heedlessly. in
differently, calmly.
We do not forget that SO States and
three Territories have endeavored "a
do the work Of the Nation by enacting
laws to prevent dissertation Of the Flag;
but those observant Of the difficulties
which are met with in the enforcement
Of State Flag legislation will find little
encouragement for the belief that II
will be effective in protecting our Flag
from misuse and insult. State laws
have been the means of awakening
public opinion upon this subject, and
the public has expressed q desire for
Federal legislation, and the President
of the United States and the Senate
have signifled their approval of it.
In the outlook for the coming year
your Chairman has the pleasure to an
nounce that the bill offered by the
Daughters. which was passed by the
Senate in 1904. has been again intro
duced: In the Senate by the Hon. Will
liam Warner. Of Missouri. Is. 5O30),
and in the House of Representatives by
Hon. Charles l.. Knapp. OF New York
(H. r. 1584D. both gentlemen assur-
ing us Of their hearty support of the
measure. Let every Daughter remem.
Der her duty to aid the good work by
spoken or written words. whether from
herself or her friends. that can influ-
ence any member OF Congress. or more
especially the Judiciary Committee,
which for some untold reason neglects
to report the bill to the House of Rep
resentatives. Laws are never enacted
unless the desire for them is vigorously
made known.
Let us not forget that 1t is the duty
OF every Daughter to refrain from pur-
chasing articles which misuse the rep
resentatiOn of our Country's Flag as q
means of advertisement or improper
decoration, and at every opportunity
may our acts always speak reverence
for the COlors.
Like our brave soldiers and sailors.
who allow no defiling or irreverent
touch to the Flag. we will stand pledged
to its honor and glory, nor will be dis
mayed nor discouraged by the silence
which still refuses it protection.
The hearts and cOnscicnces of the
people are with US. though our appeal
to the lawmakers OF the Nation falls
yet unheeded; and again we ask this
great Government to enact a law which
shall forbid the misuse OF our COun-
try's Flag by trade. forbid disfigurine
and dishonoring inscriptions and de-
vices, and punish those who treat it
with indignity and disrespect.
1t may lie that the Flag must wait
for the protecting hand of the Nation
until some act of hatred or disloyalty
arouses the whole people to righteous
anger and passion. such is the history
of our absorbed. generous hearted
countrymen. 1t may be that such an
evil moment is not so distant as we
dream. DislOyal and malignant teach
ings bear fruit richly. and sometimes
speedily. Let us labor necessarily with
earnest hearts and as faithful Daugh-
ters Of our Revolutionary fathers. to
train into patriots those who know and
realize so little of the blessings of our
noble country. and use all means to
teach unfailing respect for the symbol
of law. order and Government. AS our
fathers before us knew no defeat I'm
their righteous cause, so must we be
undaunted by delay and disappoint-
ment. Let us remember
For every star in its field of blue,
For every stripe of stainless hue,
Ten thousand Of the tried and true
Have lain them down and died"
No American whose heart thrills at
the tragic story of our country's past
can see unmoved the irreverent seizure
OF the Flag for the purposes of political
or commercial scheming. nor hear
without a glow of indignation the stud
led insults of the evii-minded and dis
lOval.