The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-08-11
Makers of
the Flag


hy Hon. Franklin k. Lane. Secretary OF the Interior. After read,
ing this speech of Secretary Lane, Secretary OF the Navy JosephuS
Daniels took the first opportunity to say to his colleagues III the
Cabinet that nothing finer had been written about the flag and
that Mr. Lane tribute would go down in history as a classic.
This Flag Day speech is one which should inspire every
American. 1t should be memorzed by every boy and girl in the
schools of North Carolina. 1t breathes the very spirit of Amer
icanism. 1t reads:
MAKERS OF THE FLAG.
THIS moTning, as passed into the Land Office, The Flag
heard it say: Good morning, Nj. Flag Maker
Il beg your pardon, Old Glory" said. aren't YOU mis-
taken: am not the President of the United States. nor a mem
government clerk"
q greet YOU again, MI Flag Maker replied the gay voice.
= know YOU we'll You are the mar who worked in the swelter
Of yesterday Strengthening out the tangIe of that farmers home
stead in Idaho. or perhaps YOU found the mistake in that Indian
contrast f' ["an. IN ok XII N, or helped to clear It that patent for the HhI hope
ditch in Colorado. or made that mine in illinois more safe, or
ever one of these beneicent Individuals YOU may happen to be.
give you greeting, Mr. Flag Maker"
was about to pass on, when The Flag stopped me with
these words:
YESTERDAY the President spoke a word that made hap
pier the future of ten million poems in Mexico; but that act looms
no larger on the flag than the struggle which the boy in Georgia IS
making to win the Corn Club prize this summer.
Yesterday the Congress spoke a word which will open the
door of Alaska; but a mother in Michigan worked from sunrise
until far into the night, to give her boy an education. She, too,
is making the flag.
yesterday We made a new law to prevent financial panics,
and yesterday, maybe, a school teacher in Ohio taught his first
letters to a boy who will one day write a song that will give
AIlSI " lO HtfIIOuS vi Ol dCC. W. dt Ill * n 2y
But" said impatiently. these people were only working"
Then came a great shout from The Flag:
"THE WORK that We do is the making of the flag.
4 am not the flag; not at all. am but its shadow.
Il am whatever YOU make me; nothing more.
81 am your belief in yourself, YOUR dream of what a peonle
may become.
Il live a changing life, a life of moods and PASSIONS of
hearthreaks and tired muscles.
sometimes am strong with pride, when men do an honest
work, fitting the rails together truly.
Sometimes droor. for then purpose has gone from me.
and csnicaly play the coward.
Sometimes am loud. garish and full Of that ego tia,
blasts Judgment.
But always am all that you hope to be. and have the
| courage to try for.
4 am song and fear. struggle and panic. ami .rnonrng hone
i am the days work of the weakest man. a.; the laroa<.
Il dream OF the most daring.
I am the Constitution and the courts. statutes AMI tbe
statute makers, soldier and dreadnaught. ira,na3 ani s,raa,
sweep, cook. counselor. and clerk.
i am the rattle OF yesterday, and the mistake II tomorrow
i am the mystery of the men who do 4rho4r o.i ~ ,bv
Il am the clutch of an idea. and the reasoned -.
resolution. s'toS -
I am no more than what YOU believe me 10 he and / am ali
that YOU believe can be.
Il am what YOU make me. nothing more.
! SWING before Your eyes as a bright CLEAN NJ color =
svmool O! youfselI, the pictured suggestion of that Sig thingu which
makes TINS NATION. Ny stars and my stripes are voIr -ream and
your ianors ihey are bright with cheer. brilliant with courage