The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-16
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argument against the Marschall design by using the Smith flag book" a mis- print of the flags trying to prove by this that MT. Marschalfs design was un- like the real Confederate flag. am very glad to state th1t fortunately for MT Marschall, ethsr papers published six years before the 1911 paper. in 1904 and 1905, prove the Sfutility and injustice Of this false claim.a (see papers dated 1904 and 19O5).
 8. l do not deny, norido I make argu- ment againsttth the ,statement that Orrin R. Smith sent in a design, but since 1t went in the second week in February, it cer- tainlv came under the head of all those others received and discarded by the com mittee It was mot in flags preserved, and was dismis sed with other flags. tSee Miles report, also two articles, one Montgomery. Advertiser. ,copied by Mobile paper, also one sent from Confederate Congress. to Mobile Daily Advertiser).
 g. I do not deny, nor do l doubt the statement nhah Ortn R. Smith raised a flag on thts 18th of March, but other people raiseds flags before that date.
 It is a histo vie fact that on March and a description of the Confederate flag was telegraphed from Montgomery. Ala,
 
 who so desired, could raise a flag after March B. and soine flags were raised be- fore March IS. NSeen among my docu- ments statements which shows that a Confederate flag Nrls made in NeWoufne, N e. on March >. 1S61-this was 13 days prior to the Orrin, R. Smith flag. (See Beale statement offPearle) and also state ment from Alabama, showing flags raised before that of Orr hn R. Smith.
 10 Flew do those claiming this honor for MT. Smith account for his silence on this subject for mo re than A years, and which has only of latte years absorbed his innasina tiorS? It should be borne in mind that it is only about 10 years ago that Mir Orrin R. Smith ever mentioned even to his family, that hetdeslgned the Stars and Bars
 On the other hand, it should be re- rfsembered that the very first people of MS1ion, Ala, where the flag was de- signed, and Montgomery Ala, where the flag was raised knew of the designing of the flag in, Alabama, and have talked of ofNit and known of dt for the last 54 years Many of those taking part are gone but fortunately some remain who remember and do not hesitate to say SO, though they bel deve thel historic truth so firmly established in Alabama, as to make this unnt ,cessary. and would not have dreamed of doing SO, had not othelss so recently clain eed their birthright
 In closing, I would say that I am just back from a visit Ito Marion, Ala, where the older resident es have been and are still so secure in the knowledge of the facts that the flag Aaccepted by Congress was the Nicola Marschal design secured for the committee aHld Congress through Governor Moore ard Mrs. Lockett that they cannot conceive how anything else could be believed.
 To substanfdate ttfs. I enclosed signed statement from old resident of '6l, also of some who are a.. little younger who have always known these facts.
 They consider. the claim of MT. Smith of slight impol rance, and can scarcely believe the southern people would con sider seriously any other than the lIa- rion, Ala, claim, that the Nicola Mars chall design was the one accepted by the Confederate Congress and run up on the state capitol
 The first statement made by Maj. Orrin R. Smith, viz. fNEhen at Sumter, that shot was fired that was heard around the world I realized that new country had been made. and that the new nation must have a new @flag," proves the mis. take of his claim. The historic shot al Sumter was fired in April, 1S67. The flag of Confederacy' raised on March