The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-02-25

y
citizens of this great nation, Our flag,
what does 1t mean to the world? What
should it mean to us?
1t is scarcely necessary to recall to
the Daughters of the American Revo-
lution-the maker of the first Ameri-
can flag Yet we must ever be glac
that a womanS hands had such in i'm
portant part in fashioning our ma
tons emblem. This little picture may
still further impress that fact upon
us.
AS Betsey sat one morning
In quiet, thoughtful mood,
Intent upon the tasks
That cheered her pensive widow
hood,
And thinking of her country's need,
And of the coming war
She heard a slip upon the street,
A rap upon the door.
Quickly she rose and sought the door,
Aud threw ii open wide.
There stood the chieftain, Washington,
His two friends at his side.
With radiant face and throbbing heart
Shs babe them enter, with the
thought.
What can their errand be-
Washington bowed with grave re
spect,
And proffered her his hand.
/ We need a nations flag, he said,
Showing what he had planned.
Think you could make a flag like
this?'
With answer low and. true.
Blushing, she modestly replied:
I'm try what / can do
She scanned the plan with ques
tioning eye,
And then her thoughts expressed:
4 These stars, see, six pointed are
Five pointed stars are best
4 A sheet of paper then she took,
And folding it with care:
With single clip of scissors
Cut true five pointed star.
She placed in on the field of blue
With modest mien and grace,
4 Then turned a timid questionin
look
! Upon the chieftains face.
He gazed while, then smiled as
: sent,
A goodly smile to see,
! And thus five pointed stars adorl
The banner of the free
The inspiration of this banner Q
Z the free is far reaching to tn
uttermost parts of the earth.'' 1t ha
been famed in song and story. 1t ha
suggested the idea of liberty to man
nations.
Do we not believe that China, o,
new republic, looked to us for its pa
= tern and it's inspiration?
What greater honor could be hea
ed upon us than the fact that til
leaders in the new movement thel
should have requested our battleshil
!, and ourselves to anchor in its port
.. and there stand a protection and
warning.
France, out of appreciation of OF
institutions and of what our land ha
,, done for them, follows our exampl
with its celebration of July 4th, glor
GUS day of independence.
Our stars and stripes are hung alo
in all her cities and villages and
Paris an annual Fourth of July ba
lquet is held.
! To the American citizen far fro
: home. that symbol of protection
: most dear. To the oppressed seekir
a new home, where the freedom
: speech and rights of the people are r
. spected, it stands for liberty and pea
of home.
To us, as daughters, it comes as
blessed heritage, bequeathed to u
by our fathers.
1t is for us to live up to the obie
] of our society, by "affording to your
81 and old such advantages as shall
L lyelop in them the largest capacity f
s performing the duties of an America
II citizen; to foster true patriotism al
L love OF country, and to aid in sect
b ing for mankind all the blessings
8 liberty"
1t was given to one to be so
spired by the waving folds of old re
white and blue, to give us our fl;
- song "a national hymn-the ST
Spangled Banner.
AS we near the centenary Of Il
i birth of that song 1t gives us add
inspiration to turn again to the in
dents that produce it:
Francis Scott Key left Baltimore i
der flag of truce for the purpose
J. getting released from the British file
+. a friend who had been captured,
was not permitted to return lest t
d intended attack on Baltimore shot
l. be disclosed. He WAS therefore broug
lup the bay to the mouth of the Pats