The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1916-02-18

to the old building the heraldic device of stars
and stripes which Washington accepted as his
own coat of arms and which is commonly re-
garded as the origin of the American flag.
In the summer of 1911 the suggestion made
by prominent member of the British Peace COM
mittee that the historical property should be pur
chased and dedicated as memorial to the peace
full relations existing between the two countries
during the past century, the dedication to be
of the features of the international celebrations
in 1914. This idea Immediately met with popular
favor. The British committee acquired the prop
erty, and dedicated it to peace between England
and the United States
The manor has been made into a Hall of Rec
ords, where matter pertaining to Ango-American
unity IS kept 1t is understood that lecture chair
soon will be supplied by the purchasers and that
James Bryce, ex-ambassador to the United States.
will be its first occupant
Charming Old Place.
The manor is a charming piece Of old arch
lecture gray with the rains, frost and sunshine
of 800 years. The house stands at the eastern
extremity of the village of Sugrave. in Northamp
tonshire, and 1t is approached from the west by
pretty green croft, separated from the almost
encircling road by hedge
To the right of the gable end OF the manor is
low stone wall with larch gate, facing small
court partly paved and partly in grass. From the
courtyard the house is entered by handsome old
stone doorway, above which little attic projects
from tiled roof. The fine old Tudor doorway
IS surmounted by shield containing the Wash.
ington coat of arms, which three centuries have
somewhat robbed of its original sharpness, but
which is still unmistakable
What a fortune had that shield of i private
English genteman-to become the most notable
blazon of all the world Strange to think that
this little obscure stone coat Of arms in a Sc
cluded Northamptonshire village should be the
original Of so much-should still be extant. AS
STR To Of 10
pid and monotonous rustic life surrounding II for
so many generations with the rush and roar of
existence in our great republic
There Is very little doubt that the three stars
and the three stripes furnished the idea for the
American flag In the flag as in the original, the
stars signify divine influence guiding the bearer
in the right way while the bars denote who
sets the bar of conscience anu religion against
wicked temptations and evil desires. The coors.
red and white. seem to follow also; the red mean
ing military bravery and fortitude: the white
peace and sincerity.
Tradition attributes the suggestion to Benja.
min Franklin Upper is probably right when,
in his Centennial Drama" he makes Franklin
cay:
. | proposed IL to the congress.
1t was the leaders old crusading blazon.
Wasbington's coat, his own heraldic shield.
And on the spur, when must choose flag
Symboling independent unity
We and not he-all was unknown to him
Took up his coat of arms and multiplied
And magnifed it, in every way to this
Our glorious national banner
He adds also. some illusions to the old man
E.on:
The Washngtons of Washington,
In County Durham, and on Sugrave Manor
County Northampton, bore upon their shield
and for the crest
An eagles head upspringing to the light
The architraves q Sulgrave testify.
An aundrv nrinted windows In the hall