The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-06-15
THE SALUTATORY.
"Our Flag" Delivered BY Miss Mari.
eta Kilian.

AS soon as men assemble 1Or COm-
mon purpose, some conspicuous OBJ
ject is used as a symbol of common
sentiment The object may symbolic
devotion, as the crucifix of the church
protection, as the all dominant red
cross of our warning world; loyalty
as the blue and white pennant Of our
own high school, This object may
serve as the rallying point of common
force and enthusiasm, illustrated by
the emblematic insignia Of different
organizations. It is indeed great task
to find any object symbolic OF all
three, devotion, protection and loyalty
other than that of the Star Spangled
Banner" which is truly the emblem
attic incarnation of these three quail
ties.
In order to trace the origin of our
flag, we must take into consideration,
the fact that, at one time, most OF
America belonged to England. The
early flag Of England consisted Of the
red cross of st. George on a white
ground, while Scotland, her neighbor,
had the white cross Of St. Andrew on
a blue ground. England and Scotland
United in 1903, and three years later
the combination of the two flags
formed the kings colors The kings
colors are the combination of the red
cross of st. George, the white cross of
ST. Andrew and the cross of st. Pat
rick
In 1907, Great Britain adopted a flag
for the American colonies, the main
part being red and the upper corner,
the kings colors, called the Union
Jack. The majority of the colonists,
strict Puritans, considered a flag bear
ing the cross of st. Andrew too SYM
bolic of the Catholic creed, from which
they had fed, and demanded a flag of
their own. Upon hearing that the rul-
ing authorities Of the colonies did not
approve of their demand, the colonists
became more independent, and Massa-
chusetts coined money, using the pine
tree as her symbol, later conceiving
The idea Of using it on red flag with
an inner upper corner of white. The
king became reconciled only when
told that the tree was an oak, typify-
ing the reverence of the colonies for
the shelter it had given to one of the
early kings.
Among the different flags that fol-
lowed were the Blue Liberty" flag,
bearing the words, Appeal to Hea-
ven," and that of the coiled rattlesnake
ready to strike, with the motto, Don't
tread on me-"
AS the independence of the colonies
doomed in the foreground, Benjamin
Franklin suggested that flag be de-
signed that would be a symbol of the
United Colonies. This flag should have
the red cross of England in the upper
corner, and thirteen stripes, alternate
ly red and white, to represent the thir-
teen colonies.
Washington's coat of arms, Of red
and white stripes, and stars, may have
suggested to him the flag of thirteen
alternately red and white stripes, of
thirteen six-pointed white stars in a
circle on blue ground, and the addi-
ton Of new stripe with the en-
trance Of each new state into the
funion. However, authorities are wont
to differ on this.
Washington, Robert Morris and
Colonel George Ross then went to
Betsy Ross, maker of flags, who lived
in Philadelphia, with the order for her
to sew the flag, but because of a more
pleasing arrangement, the stars were
made with five points.
The beauty of the flag was being
marred by the addition of a stripe at
the admission of a new state, and
June IA, 1776, congress formally in
dorsed the flag, with the order that it
have thirteen stripes and a new star
be added the first fourth of July fol-
lowing the admission of new state.
Our flag is one-half as broad as it is
long, the first stripe at the top being
red. The blue field for the stars is the
width OF the first seven stripes. Each
color stands for a quality; red for
valor, white for purity and blue for
justice
The first person to hoist the flag on
| sea was Paul Jones, and the first time
1t was seen on land was at Fort Stan
| ivix.
Since congress recognized the flag
as our national flag on the 14th day
OF June, this day has been formally
appointed Flag Day." when every one
is to fly his country's colors, to recog-
nize this banner with pride and unlim.
tied love, and try to conceive Of wha,
our flag stands for.
Most of us have an idea that to f1y
our country's flag is an act Of patriot.
ism, but it is men who have fought anc
suffered for that flag, who appreciate
the meaning OF it. Every one has UNI
doubtedly heard of Everett Hale's
story, 1.-THE Man Without Country,
fippant youth, who, in the presence
of the makers OF our nation, those vet
Grams of the first struggle, expressed
| the wish never to hear the nam,
United States again. His wish was car
| ried out to the greatest extreme, ant
during his long years of exile on thu
sea, he learned the value OF loyalty tt
the flag, when in no uncertain words
he states, and for your flag, never
dream a dream, but of serving her a,
she bids you, though the service carr,
you through thousand hells."
During the stress and anxiety Of tn