Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-08-31
What The Flag Means

we're held under the auspices "1 IN" 'I"hu 'AII"H
he Republic and the speech WAS full Of I'atr"I
Inspiration for every American.
One feature Of the speech, that Will b" OF mucI
interest TO Young Americans. and t" great man.
I'D ones as we'll is that wherein he states that IN
flag is the oldest flag in the world back
ng up the assertion hy dates that are history. H
'ad in part:
This is a sacred day 1t is day OF memory and OF
hope. 1t awakens thoughts OF by-gone time ana llIc
time that is yet be. AS we look upon the starry
banner hat CLEANS so proudly IN our sight, we see
America and the principles for which she STANDS.
Washngton's consuming idea was Independence
and the Star-Spanged Banner floated Tumphanuy
nation to signify to all the world that 'ha'
idea had been made reality. .
Lincon's cons inning idea was Union and us
flame burned brightly in his heart during all the years
OF fratrcidal strife; burned there until 1t was trans
ferred by universal consent to the flag which waved
a nation, and inseparabIe
One hundred and forty-one years ago our nag was
flung to the breeze Only short time and tleeune
in the annals of earths pee pies, and yet strange 10
say, the flag that has foaed for that period as the
emblem of America is the oldest flag in the World
John Paul Jones the first to raise the new DaH
ner. With delight that hardy hero hoisted the new
flag with its 13 red and white stripes and IT'S STARS III
the blue field over his vessel With delight he saw
the coors Of the nation saluted with respect IN
foreign ports. 1t the pride Of his valiant heart
and no ever loved it more than he Paul Jones
II was who, when his vessel sinking under muir
derous fire from enemy ships, was asked II he hao
surrendered. He glanced toward his Flagstaff, Sd"
his starry emblem still flying proudly IN spite OF
gashes and rents, and Numbered out his immortal
response II have just begun to fight" Little wonder
that such irresistible courage won the day and that
the Bon Homme Richard though itself a wreck was
the victor and that its commander LOOK MS place
among the kings Of the sea.
On land the American flag was first given to the
breezes when it hoisted over Fort Stanwlx' IN
New York August, 1777. during that momentous cam
'paign which ended with the surrender Of Burgoyne
and marked the turning point in the War Of the ReVo'
luton.
The Oldest flag in the world that flag, typying the
great Republic OF the West outdates all the other
banners swung aloft by presentday nations. 1t is
older than the British flag, which was adopted in 1871
It is older than the French tricolor, which first saw
the light in 1894 1t is older than the flag OF Spain
which was in 1885; older, than the embems
Of the ancient empires of China and Japan
The Star-Spangied Banner is much older than the
flag Of the imperial German government, which was
adopted in 1870. ~
One hundred and fortyone years of growth and de-
yelopment Yet in all the changeful circumstances
which have marked those years that flag has never
bowed conquered before foe Its history is all on
one side-victory Though bent by some Of the blasts
Il has weathered every gale, floating out IN new
strength and splendor in the sunshine that fol-
lows storm
It waved over Washington and his continentals. Be-
fore It Burgoyne laid down his arms. 1t was the in
spirin beacon light amid the horrors of Valley Forge
It was the conquering banner at Yorktown when the
brothers in arms, Washington and Lafayette, casped
hands in the final struggle for national liberty.
That flag went through the storm of Lundy's Lane
and waved from the newmade ship from which Com
modore Perry sent his message, I'VE have met the a
enemy and they are ours 1t floated defiantly over
the ramparts at New Orleans, where "Old Hickory
beat back the veterans Of the Iron Duke Wellington
That flag waved VIGOROUSLY in the halls Of the
Montezumas in Mexico City 1t was crowned triumph
ant at Cerro Gordo and Buena Vista. 1t was at the
head of the triumphal march to the Golden Gate and
the snow-clad Sierra Nevadas.
Tht flag endured the shot and shell Of civil strife
and came forth In new vgor and virity.
That flag foated from the ship from which Dewey
sent his orders at the Battle of Manila Bay led the
way for the reunited fighters from North and South
up the hill at San Juan. 1t the inspiration of
Hobson and his daring associates at Santiago.
These records Of victory, all Of them, have been
written into the fabric of the flag to be
ed Not less surely have been the victories of
peace the achievements Of material kind during that
century and more of history.
But these have not made the flag complete and un-
changeable. The making of that flag is COM
pleted Lincoln spoke of the nat"ns unfinished tasko
at Gettysburg So today speak of unfinished tasks,
and those which await the makers of the flag in this
generation are greater than ever before.
That Gag today stands for democracy around the
world. Last Flag Day it carried such meaning but
never again will 1t be without it. While its bright
coors CLEAN braTely high in the future, the world
viii read in them the doom Of dynasties and the down
fall Of thrones.
breeze, on schoolhouse home, capitol, at the head
of valiant fighters the battle lines of Europe or
from the masts Of gallant ships in the it is
blazing symbol that every government on the face
of the earth must be built the of the gov
erned. All America and whatever it possesses in men
and resources are under requstion to carry that
determination.
The flag is a harbinger of hope to all in America
who battle against wrong where it is wrong and who
have faith to believe that this government of ours
must be one for the people, the people and by the
people.
"Above all our flag is a cleaning promise to all
lose who lone for and hope for a,d pray for the
sting brothe hood of nations and enduring peace
nong men. Even on the black clouds of war NAV
: seen the beautiful bow of freedom and cace for
le peoples of the earth"
What this city and county needs at the present
oment is an engineer who is one hundred per cent
lgineer, who knows exactly what he is doing, who