The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-07-29

Dear Tom: There has been some dis
eussion here lately concerning the true
and lawful American flag which | have
found to be both interesting and anus
ing. The controversy arose from the
sale of flags bearing forty-eight stars
instead of the regulation number forty
six
The whole question was brought be
fore the public by a lawyer in town
who refused to accept a forty eight
star flag declaring that it was not an
American flag, which must have only
forty-six in its constellation.
The salesman stuck to his point OF
view and the lawyer was equally stub
horn; and a bet was finally laid, the
LAWYER betting one hundred dollars, the
other party fifty; the decision was to
be made by competent judge. The
ouestion was submitted to a naval of
feer and the lawyer lost his bet.
Of course, do not pretend to speak
with authority on this question, but
/ have TO confess that with all due
respect to the U. S. Navy, l sympathize
with the lawyer in this case.
A s.star spangled banner bearing
forty-eight stars presents to the casual
observer all the general aspects of the
American flag; but would any army or
naval commander raise such a flag over
fort or ship2 / seriously doubt it, for
it is not a regulation flag and will not
be until two more states are admitted
to the Union. 1t may answer for dec,
orative purposes, but | refuse to ny 1T
just as the lawyer did.
This reminds me of a funny incident
of which / was witness during the
civil war. It was soon after the hrst
battle of Bull Run; volunteers were
gathering from all parts of the country
and the martial spirit was all-pervad-
ing. / was but eallow youth, too
young to enlist, living in the middle
west The troops, as raw as fresh
beef. were mustered at fort which
had once been an Indian outpost but
was then in the heart of the civlliza-
tion of that state.
The colonel was a man who had been
educated at West Point, though he had
been in civil life for years. He was a
gentleman of the old school, one who
would not for the world hurt another s
feelings, but he was also a genuine sol
der, who had forgotten no essential of
his early military training, and who
felt it to be his first duty to make sol
diers out of the raw material given
him. I remember that he succeeded,
though it was certainly a stiff PROPOSE
tion. Officers and men were perfectly
innocent of military knowledge, and the
Colonel was very busy instructor.
Lieutenant Y. was a neat, dapper lit
tie man, knight of the yardstick, /
u, H. ax1fo Of a
militia company in neighboring town.
He had gentle voice, deprecatory
manner, and would-be military ear
riage You would never have thought
of him as one born to command; he
seemed too intent on trying to please.
I was a favorite of the Colonel and
his lovely wife, who was as brave as
her soldier husband, so l was often at
the fort, as were others; for everybody
felt the prevailing martial spirit and
took deep interest in the organization
of new regiments.
One day a large number of visitors
were present at headquarters. 1t was
a lovely day in Indian summer, and
the time for dress parade was near. As
we ehatted together Lieutenant x. APP
preached the group, having just return
ed from spending the day with his
family. He bore in his hand a dainty
dress sword in a gilt scabbard, which he
exhibited to the officers and guests,
stating that it had been presented to
him by his fellow townsmen. This was
a favorite pastime with fellow towns
men in those days, / remember.
When the sword had been duly adj
miped, X turned to the Colonel and IN
hesitant, almost tremulous tones, said:
- know, sir, that this is hardly regu-
latien sword for an officer of the line.
but ] suppose there will be no objection
20 my wearing ita'
The Colonel was eourtly, but he was