Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1917-04-19


States be of thirteen alternate red
and white stripes and that the union
be thirteen white stars on a blue
field, representing a new constella-
ton, but ii did not define how many
points the stars should have, how
they should be arranged, nor make
provision for additional ones. At
the time of the adoption of this res
olution Washington is said TO have
observed: I'VE take the star from
heaven, the red from our mother
country, separating ii by white
stripes, thus showing that we have
separated from her, and the white
stripes shall go down to posterity
representing liberty"
First Flown Over Fort Schuyler.
The first display of the stars and
stripes is believed to have been on
August 6, 1777, when the new flag
was hoisted over the troops at Fort
Schuyler, Rome, New York. John
Paul Jones is said to have been the
first to fly the stars and stripes over
the high seas, on the Ranger" in
November, 1777. The national mu-
scum has an early naval twelve-star
type flag said to have been flown by
John Paul Jones during the war of
the revolution.
1t has been well said that our ma
tional emblem stands for American
ideals and ideas-it is not the flag
of family or a house, but the flag
of the whole people. 1t is the en-
blem of liberty and freedom, being
indicative of individual indepen-
dence and yet symbolic of a united
and closely bonded people Far
from being merely painted and dyed
cloth, it represents the constitution
and government of a hundred mill
lion free people, it stands for the
people themselves. and records the
history of their nation.
Older Than the British Jack.
In the national museum at Wash
ington, among the many other pa
triotic relics and emblems, are dis
played thirty historic American
flags. On the labels the history of
each is recorded. Some came from
the field of battle, a number from
famous sea fights, and others were
flown over garrisons of forts by dis
tinguished American officers. The
series of flags shows very well the
periodic changes which have taken
place in our flag. From the time of
the revolution the stars and stripes
in the flag have faried. There were
thirteen stars during the revolution,
fifteen in the war of 1912. twenty
nine in the Mexican war. thirty-three
to thirty-five in the civil war, forty
five in the Spanish war. and there
are forty-eight today. The stripes
were changed first from thirteen to
fifteen and then back again to thir-
teen. 1t may be surprising to know
that our national flag is among the
Oldest flags of the nations, being
older than the pres ent British Jack.
the French tricoloI and the flag of
Spain. and many years older than
the flags of Germany and Italy, some
of which are either personal flags of
those of the reigning families.
Original "Star SpangIed Banner"
The flag of the highest historic
and sentimental value to the whole
country is in the national museum
collections. 1t is the original Star
Spangled Banner" which flew over
Fort McHenry in Baltimore harbor
during the bombardment on Septem-
Der 1914, 1914. and was the inspira-
ton of Frances Scott Keys immor-
tai poem, now sung as our national
anthem. This flag, exhibited in the
museum arts and industries build
ing. also known as the Fort Nc
Henry flag" is of the fifteen star
and stripe type, adopted after the
admission of Vermont and Kentucky
by an act approved by President
Washington, Jan. IS. 1904. The
Star Spangled banner" measures
about thirty feet square though it
was probably somewhat longer and
is much battered and torn. with one
star missing. possibly shot away.
This great historic souvenir of the
war of 1912 has lately been preserv-
ed by quilting on heavy linen, and
will ever remain one of the country's
most precious relics. From 1875
this form continued as the standard
flag until President Monroe's admin
istration. when congress enacted that
it should hereafter be of thirteen
stripes, with the addition of star
for each new state, commencing
July 4, 1918.
Formerly Not Carried by Army
II seems that for many years the
army did not carry the stars and
stripes in battle. though it had been
in general use as a garrison flag.
The land forces during this period
and before ii carried what was
known as national colors or stan
dards. of blue with the arms of the
United States emblazoned thereon.
comprising an eagle surmounted by
n number of stars. with the designa-
ton of the body of troops. In 1884
was department regulations gave
the artillery the right to carry the
stars and stripes, the infantry and
cavalry still using the national stan
dards. and these remained the colors
of the infantry until 1871 and Of
the cavalry until 1887. when the
branch of the army was ordered TO
employ the stars and stripes. From
its adoption in 1777. however. naval
vessels universally displayed the ma
tional flag.
Many styles and forms of the stars
and stripes flag were in existence up
to 1912. and il was not until during
President Taft's administration that
definite specifications were drawn
up. An executive order dated Oct.
20, 1912. tended to standardize the