Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-07-03

indicated the propriety of such a change in
accord with the reason that led to its
adoption, and sufficiently points to the
important periods in our history.
The original flag of the United States
was composed of thirteen stripes and
thirteen stars, and was adopted by a
resolution of the Continental Congress on
the l4th of June, l771 On the 18th of
January, 1894, after two new States had
been admitted into the Union, the Ma
tional Legislature passed an act that the
stripes and stars should. ON day fixed, be
increased to fifteen each, 10 comport with
the then independent States. The Access
sion of new States since that alteration.
and the certain prospect that at no DIS
tant period the number of States will he
considerably multiplied. render IT. III the
opinion of the committee, highly mex
pedient tn increase the number oi stripes,
as every flag must IN some measure be
limited in size, from the circumstance OF
convenience to the place on which IT Is
to be displayed while such an increase
would necessarily decrease their magni-
tude and render them proportionatelv
less distinct TO distant observation. This
consideration has induced many to retain
only the general form of The flag while
there actually exists great want OF UNI
formity in its adjustment, particularly
when used on small private vessels.
INCREASED NUMBER OF STARS.
The national hag being in general use
bv vessels Of almost every description, 1t
appears to the committee of considerable
importance to adopt some arrangement
calculated to prevent, in future, great or
extensive alterations. Under these I'M
pressions. they are led to believe no alter
alton could be made more emblematlcal
of our origin and present existence, rs
composed of a number of independent and
united States, than to reduce the stripes
10 the original thirteen. representing the
number of States then contendIng tor
and, happily. achieving their independence
and TO increase the stars TO correspond
with the number of States now in the
Union. and hereafter to add one star Ia
the flag whenever new State shall be
admitted
These slight alterations will. in the
opinion of the committee, meet the general
appreciation. rs we'll Of those who may
have regretted a former departure from
tho original flag. MS Of such as arc soho
itous to sec III IT n representation OF every
State In the Union.
SIGNIFICANCE or STRIPES.
The committee cannot believe that in
retaining only thirteen stripes it ncces-
sarilv follows they should he distinctly
considered IN reference 20 certain midi
vidual States inasmuch as nearly I'll the
new States were - component part Of and
represented in. tho original; and inasmuch.
also. as the flag Is intended 81 signify
numbers and not local and particular
sections OF the MON.
The committee respectfully report hill
accordingly.
Through pressure of what Congress
probably considered moro important
business, the bill remained Enacted upon.
but, upon the converting Of Congress for
the next session, MIR Wcndover renewed
his resolution that committee be sp-
pointed 70 inquire into the expediency Of
altering the flag of the United States and
that they have leave To report by bill or
otherwise.
The resolution WAS adopted and com
mittee appointed of which Mr. Wendover
was made chairman On January 6, 1918 ]
Mr. Wendover submitted q report Of the
committee, accompanied with bill which
WAS substantially the same as that re-
ported by the committee of the previous
session
The bill passed the House on the 25th
Of March and the Senste on March 81.
sud was signed by President Monroe on
the 4th Of April, 1918.
THE LAW FOR THE flag
The law is a. follows
Section Be il enacted. That from
ana after the 4th day OF July next. the
flag Of the nited States be thirteen
horizontal stripes, alternate nd snd white.
that the union have twenty stars, white
IN 4 blue field
Section , Be II further enacted That
on the admission Of every new State IN
the Union. one star TO be added to the
union Of the flag; and that such addition
shall take effect on the 4th Of July next
such admission.
FIRST FLAG RAISED TH NEW YORK.
The first flag raised after the enactment