The Washington herald., 1907-06-14
Observance of Flag Day
By FREDERIC J. HASKIN
By FREDERIC ]. HASKIN

This is the birthday Of "Old Glory
and the thirteen stripes, and star-studded
field will be unfurled to-day from thous-
ands Of public buildings, business places,
and residences in honor Of the event As
the flag swings full and free to-day it
may we'll culver with pardonable arro-
gance because Of the national achieve
ments il has marked. Because it flies
over the land Of opportunity it has al
ready drawn the population of an en-
pire from less favored climes, and il is
still the ensign OF hope for millions more
who look to it with longing eyes. Long
may it wave"
One hundred and thirty years ago to-
day the representatives Of the several
colonies in5 revolt against Great Britain
assembled In the old city hall Of PhIa-
delphia, and appointed committee TO
choose a flag which would be a suitable
standard for the use OF the troops in
the field, as we'll as a ftting emblem OF
the nation that was beginning TO emerge
from the chaos Of revolution The indi-
vldual colonies had necessarily assumed
standards Of some kind. In July, l775,
Israel Putnam foated a flag from Pros
peCt Hill, Massachusetts. bearing the
motto Of the State on one side, and the
legend An Appeal TO Heaven" on the
other In October, Boston floated a bat
tie flag showing a pine tree on White
field. which also bore the legend. An
Appeal 10 Heaven" Virginia troops. the
same year. marched with grim and de-
termined faces under a banner, emblaz-
Oned with the design of a Coiled rattle
snake. and the words. Don't Tread on
Ne"
A common standard was needed, how
ever, TO mark the unity OF purpose in
the colonies. and this, the committee was
TO provide The design that Congress
decided upon was described as having
thirteen stripes 20 represent the colonies
then in revolt. and thirteen white stars
on a blue field with the same signifi-
canoe. This much being decided. George
Washington. Robert Morris, and Col
Ross went down on Arch street, 10 the
home Of Mrs Betsy Ross. an upholster-
TO her. She suggested that the six-point-
ed star be changed 20 one with FIVE poirts
and this was the only change made. Sne
took bunting Of the colors chosen. and
following the design that Washington
had drafted, made the first flag for the
growing nation. a bit Of work that has
since made her humble home a valued
Landmark IN history and a shrine for pa
triotic pilgrims.
Each detail and color in the flag was
chosen for some special significance.
White was selected because il stands for
purity. and must represent the future in
tegrity Of the nation. Blue was taken
from the edges Of the old Covenanters'
banners. partly because the Ecotch-Irish
of this faith had contributed much 20
the purchase of the countrys freedom,
but more because their color was the one
that would best typify the peoples league
against oppression. and their covenant for
the preservation Of unity, peace. and jus
tiCe. Red was borrowed from the Rom
ans. and used as they had used It. cen
turies before, to express courage and de-
Gancc.
The stars represent the consultations
that were even then rising out Of the
great and unknown West The first stars
were set in circle. an idea borrowed
from the ancient Egyptians and signify
Ing eternity. Were not these early arch
itects OF the nation building a wonderful
temple of freedom That should never
fall? The thirteen stripes they chose as
81 representation Of the number Of colo
MES. and the idea was % add a stripe
and q star whenever a new State was
added 20 the Union that they expected 20
perfect. The ii-a seemed 10 be feasible
then. for il must be remembered that CO.
l1uial dominion r3Chcd westward only 20
the Mississippi and south only 10 the
northern boundary OF Florida. flag
could have easily accommodated all the
stripes and stars that might grow from
that territory
When Kentucky and Vermont came into
the Union in 1924 the number of stars and
stripes were each Increased 10 fifteen.
When other States began growing ont of
the acquired territory Of the West and
South the flag began 10 grow out of pro-
portion. and lost its historical siguih-
CuuCe in ISIS Congress voted that the
number Of stripes should be restored 20
thirteen. ana always so remain to typily
the colonies that bought the Independence
Of the nation. while tho stars should
stand for ths states of the Union. The
act also deoUeed that a star for each
State should be added on the fourth Of
July following the admission Of the state.
Congress does not decree the size Of the
neg. This is decided by the regulations
OF the departments of War and the Navy.
and Is governed 10y eXisgnciss OF the Oc-
cas.0n for which il IS TO 10 used, bT the
weather. and with reference 20 the beauty
Of the flag.
The cloth is made on American looms.
The storm and recruiting flag measures
S feet by feet inches The post aas
% by 10 feet. the garrison, S6 by % feet,
while the c9lors carried by regiments Of
infantry and artillery and battalions Of
army engineers, when on parade, are OF
SILK. and measure 6 feet 9 inches by feet.
Congress recently awakened 10 the fact
that the dignity Of the nation was being
lowered in the eyes Of its own citizens,
as well as in the eyes Of foreigners. by
allowing the use Of the national ensign
in advertising schemes, and so a law was
passed prohibiting the degradation Of the
flag I'm this fashion.
Tie first battle in which the regulation
flag Of the new country appeared was
that OF Brandywiue. September II. I1O,
and ever after that it has hccn borne
aloft over the heads Of American soldiers
to encourage. inspire. and strengthen the
hearts Of the fighters on the very day
:Iat the law was enacted establishing
the form Of tbs flag. Congress appointed
John Paul Jones commander Of the
Ranger. with authority 70 bear the new
ensign into foreign waters. He sailed
away with st 70 enter French ports on
December /. I'm. and on February a.
l77s. the first foreign salute ever given
Old Glory was that of nine guns, given by
the French feet under La Motto Piquet