Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1908-06-12
The American Flag and What Il Repre-
Sents.


y. OF all National emblems, the American
Flag stands out to-day, unique and extra
q ordinary. Although but little more than
q a century and quarter has past since its
broad folds we're first thrown to the
breeze from the top-mast head of the lit.
tie Flagship of John Paul Jones, our fret
American Admiral, it has now become
the egis of a great nation. Tradition tells
US that this event took place opposite
New Castle as he descended the Delaware
River, on his way to foreign seas to prey
upon the commerce of that insane old
tyrant, George III. How our hearts are
thrilled and filled with emotion, when
we contemplate the grandeur of our
National Flag-emblem of liberty Nor
is it less inspiring when we remember
that it was first fashioned by the deft and
delicate hand OF woman. The name OF
Betsy Ross is enshrined in the hearts of
her cOuntrymen and will continue to be
until American History will have been
forgotten.
Why should we not feel patriotic, when
we view with satisfaction the broad
stripes and bright stars" of our National
Flag when we remember that it repre-
sents the grsndest and most glorious land
upon which the sun ever shone or the
smile Of Jehovah ever rested, with in
situations as free and untrammeled as our
own native bird--the American Eagle
as he scars aloft a sentinel over our vast
domain. Why should we not feel proud
Of that flag when we remember that it
represents land OF such magnifcence as
ours, extending in width over twenty-five
parallels of latitude and in length across
the entire Continent, from ocean to ocean ?
Let us notice for a moment the wonder
full achievements that have followed the
footsteps of the American Flag
A little more than a century ago our
flag contained but thirteen stars, repre-
senting the thirteen original states.
stretching along the Atlantic seaboard |
with population OF a little more than
three millions, while today we have more
than three and half times that number |
of states with a population of nearly one
hundred million.
Look for a moment at the Pacific +
Slope. Since John c. Fremont planted
the stars and stripes in that dreary. desc
late land, inhabited only by few Span
iards ana rowing bands of hostile Indians,
land unexplored and practically I'M
known to civilization, the great state of
California has grown to be almost an en-
pire. Wherever our flag has gone, civil
ization has followed " TIA rapid footsteps,
even to the inhospitabie shores of Alaska.
Nor has its influence been confined to
the land of its birth alone; it IS known
in all lands and by all nations and is
revered by the lovers of liberty and
dreaded by tyrants worldwide. For
many years the dream of great nations
to reach the North Pole. but if ever such
a thing is accomplished, we venture the
assertion, that it will be by an American
ship with an American crew and an
American flag floating from the masthead.
And, why this unexampled progress /
in the growth and prosperity of our ma !
ton? 1t is because our flag vouchsaies {
to all mankind the greatest amount of
protection, and the highest standard of
attainable in any nation. Un-
der our flag none require royal blood to ,
reach the highest pinnacle of fame all are :
in the race. Some of the {
brightest and best rulers with which the
nation has been blest were boys from the {
common walks of life. Under our flag it {
is possible for the poorest boy to become
President if he is bright in mental quail :
lies. Under no other flag in the universe s
IS such thing possible. G
Our flag is an inspiration of it poets I
nave sung and orators have chanted its d
praise. 1t inspired Francis Scott Key to q
write the Star Spangled Banner on the y
memorable occasion of the bombardment
If Fort McHenry. 1t inspired Henry :
Ward Beecher to preach his famous !
ermon on the American Flag, in the Z
ixties when the flag was passing through S
he fiery ordeal of the Civil War. It has
,een an inspiring theme in the literature
# the nation, in prose, in poetry and in {
ong. Though passing through many s
conflicts its lustre has never been dimin-
shed. In war or peace, on land or sea, p
t is a banner OF protection y
Our hearts thrill with pride as we gaze
pom this glorious emblem of American
.bertv, and realize that it is our rich
eritage-yours and mine. But We must
lso remember that the inheritance brings 49,
nth it attendant responsibilities. Our r
az is emblematic of high ideals 1t
lands for civic and religious liberty, for
omestic and political integrity. Itrepre-
snts the patriotic devotion, the noble,
,lf-sacrifcing virtues of our forefathers. III