The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-28
SHOCKED AT LACK . OF RESPECT SHOWN
 ID AMERICAN FLAG
Miss Millar, British Subject, Sees Americans Decline to Rise When National
 Airs Are Being Sung

The inspiring strains of My Country
 Iris of Thee" thrill Miss Elinor Stafford
 Millar Although she admits that she owes her allegiance to King George, Miss Millar declares that the national anthem of the United States impels her to spring to her feet. Therefore, she is amazed to
 observe how little the anthem stirs the feelings of southerners, especially in this
 hour of patriotic events.
 q don't see how they can do it." That Is the way she expresses her surprise at
 the sight of Americans who remain seated
 when My Country Tis Of Thee" Amer ica" and Dixie are being played or sung.
 'In these times, when the patriotism of the United States should be at high pitch, I think that My Country Iris of 1 Thee should be signal for every citizen l to spring to his feet and pay honor to the flag" said Miss Millar. ''The flaa of the nation is it's soul the emblem of 1 it's sentiment. The national anthems l should be sacred.
 HONOR IS DUE T cannot understand how any Ameri- can can hear the strains of an anthem without remembering the allegiance that
 one owes to the country which does one
 the honor to allow him or her the privl- | ege to live in it.
 My attention to th1s oversight was brought rather foreibly to this attitude l Monday night when splendid male
 chorus, of large numbers, appeared at 1 the Tutwiler. The voices were we'll train- 1 ed and rendered the patriotic songs l beautifully As the baton of the direc- ] tor was lowered and the first notes of I My Country 'Tis of Thee filled the lobby, l [ instantly arose.
 Looking about me to my surprise, | | found that four men remained seated. My | first impulse was to approach them and | to ask that they arise, but 1 caught I their attention and motioned with my l hand. Three of them responded, but the fourth shook his head dissenting, and 1 remained in his chair. Although I am < l Britsher, from Melbourne, Australia, my blood grew warm at the idea of one, any one living in a country where there is such freedom and liberty not acknowledge 1 ing his gratitude for such.
 EVERYONE SHOULD RISE 1 Tn the kindest sense. I wish that T might convey to all the idea of honoring 1 the national emblems and anthems. ! Everyone should rise and remember that the flag and the national airs represent the United States, which is now preparing ! to uphold it's honor and freedom | It was explained to Miss Millar that, until recently, the national airs had been arranged in potpouri of popular songs, and that the flag had been displayed upon every occasion, such as political rallies, finales at musical comedies and at re- unions.
 l T am indeed surprised to learn of this l she said. 'The flag of Great Britain is never seen in Australia except upon some great day The strictest orders govern 1 it's display It cannot be raised before sunrise and must be lowered with the sinking sun. The national anthems of Great Britain are rendered as sacred songs. There is everywhere the utmost respect for these emblems, which repre- sent the soul of the nation.
 l 'If I may suggest it. would it not be well that the United States should ex- | press it's sentiments in a dignified, ex- alted manner? I am sure that the citi-
 zens feel as deeply as those of any na- l tion in the world"