The gold leaf., 1910-09-15
1.-THE Stars and Bars" "

IHU OtulO dllu DdlS.
Capt. Orren R. Smith of Henderson,
Veteran of Three Wars.
Man Who Designed The Con-
federate States Flag-One
of the Distinguished Visit
ors to Norfolk During the
Annual Reunion of the
Grand Camp, United Con-
federate Veterans Story of
How He Came to Design
the Flag Told and Its Signi6-
canoe Explained.
Norfolk. Va. Sept. 6-With between
200 and 1900 gray-clad veterans
In attendance, the annual reunion of
the Grand Camp, United Confederate
Veterans Of North Carolina, begun
here today to continue two DAYS.
Tomorrow will be the big day with
parade to be participated in by the
veterans, under escort of U. S. troops
from Fort Monroe and naval forces
from the Norfolk Navy Yard.
Norfolk is elaborately decorated
for the occasion. 1t was thrilling
scene that followed the opening of
the convention with the rendition by
a uniformed Confederate choir of that
song that stirs Southern hearts:
"Im Glad | Live in Dixie" The old
veterans rising in their seats gave
free vent TO their enthusiasm, and by
throwing their hats and handker-
chiefs into the air.
The appearance OF Gen. Julian s.
Carr, Of Durham, CONFERENCE.-The
chief Of the North Carolina veterans,
| brought forth another burst OF en-
! thusiasm An address of welcome by
! Mayor Riddick. of Norfolk, was re-
sponded to by Mai. B. F, Dixon of Raj
eigh. At tOday's second session for
mer Observation-Disclosures Thomas
W. Mason, of North Carolina, was
orator and Orren r. Smith, aged S3
years, OF Henderson, was introduced
by Gen. Carr as the designer Of "The
Stars and Bars"
"THE STARS AND BARS"
Mr.. Smith said:
Three times l have been a soldier
at my country's call, twice fighting
under "The Stars and Stripes and
once under "The Stars and Bars"
While with Taylor South OF the Rio
Grande O unit of that proud army
that never let an enemy touch our
flag; in Utah with Albert Sydney
Johnston, in '57-'5S; [ learned what
the flag meant to the men who were
willing to give their lives for cold
Glory" every day and every hour in
the day A soldiers flag must be his
inspiration. 1t stands for home,
kindred and country; it must be some
thing more than a piece OF bunting
or the blending of bright cOlors.
While at Sumter, that shot was
fired that was heard around the
world, | realized that the new cOun-
| try had been made, and that the new
nation must have q new flag, OF the
deepest, truest, significance to lead
the "Men in Grey" against the great
est odds and through the greatest
difficulties that any soldiers have
ever overcome since the world was
| made.
The idea OF my flag took from the
Trinity, "three iii one" The three
bars, were for State. church and press.
Red represented State, legislative,
executive and judiciary; white, church,
Father and Holy Ghost; red, press,
freedom of speech, freedom of con-
science, liberty OF press, all bound TO-
gether with field OF blue, 1.-THE
heavens over alb bearing q star for
each State in the confederation.
The seven white stars all the same
size, were placed In a circle, showing
that each State had equal rights and
privileges, irrespective OF size OF
population. The circle, having neith-
er head nor foot, stood for eternity,
and siguified "You defend me and
I'll protect you"
| had the flag all complete in my
mind before the Confederate Congress
advertised for models, and when the
advertisement appeared went to my
old friend, Miss Rebecca Murphy,
(she is now Mrs. ". B. WinbOurne Of
Wilson, n. CO. and asked her if she
would not make me little flag. I'd
tell her how. | tore the "bars" and
cut the "stars" and she put in the
stitches, and when finished the flag
was sent to Montgomery with the
suggestion that star be added for
each State that Joined the Con-
federacy. The flag committee" as
you all know, accepted the flag and
named it "The Stars and Bars.
They also adopted the suggestion.
and it was not long before the flag had
eleven stars for the eleven Confederate
states that voted for Jefferson Davis
to be the president. After the small
flag was sent to Montgomery l
bought dress goods from Barnes
store, and asked Miss Rebecca to make
me a large flag, 9x12 feet, for wheth-
er the committee accepted my flag or
not l wanted one OF my flags to be
floating in the breeze. Splicing two
tall saplings l made a pole 100 feet
high, and planted it in the court house
square, Louisburg, n. c., (where | was
living) and the flag was sent aloft
on Monday, March 18th, 1861, two
months before North Carolina Sc
eeded.
n-o- GL. A. - a I.r-