The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-03-04

"Uncle Ted,' said Jack, II have to
write something for school about the
American flag and know you can tell
me all abut it. Will you?"
Eyes, Jack" answered his uncle.
Il could tell you long story about
the history of our flag but believe
what will be still better, is to tell you
what our flag stands for and how GER
ain people are trying to tear it down
and place another in its place. First
/ will tell you little about how our
flag came into being. The American
Flag was born on June Ia, 1777, about
one year after the first representa-
tives of the United States of America
had pledged to support the Declaration
Of Independence, if necessary with
their lives. The creation of this first
flag, which contained the same number
Of red and white stripes as it contains
today, that is, thirteen for the original
states but different only in that the
stars were arranged in a circle, was
made the subject of a resolution in the
Continental Congress. The Committee
Of the Continental Congress which
handled the work now handled by our,
Naval Affairs Committees was known
as the Marine Committee. 1t was from
this committee the resolution pro-
claiming the Stars and Stripes was re-
ported. To give you better idea
what that resolution contained / will
read it to you.
Resolved, That the Marine Commit
tees be empowered to give such direc-
lions respecting the Continental ships
Of war in the river Delaware as they
think proper in case the enemy succeed
IN their attempts on said river.
Resolved, That the flag of the
thirteen United States be thirteen
stripes, alternate red and white; that
the union be thirteen stars, white in
blue field, representing new con-
stellation."
"There is, more to the resolution
but this is the part which applies
directly to the flag.
"What do the colors in our flag
mean ?" asked Ruth who had become
greatly interested.
"First of all, Ruth, our flag stands
for liberty When you look at it YOU
should not just see the colors which
II contains and the design which is
so beautiful but you should see the
entire nation. The American flag has
never stood for castles and kings and
dictators. 1t stands as a protection
to all loyal citizens, and as an in
vitation to the oppressed of other
nations to join us and come under the
protection of it's folds. The colors
have a real meaning. The red stands
for courage, the white for purity and
the blue for loyalty, truth and justice.
The star signifies dominion. While
we are on the subject of the colors
will show you what difference color
can make when it stands for something
wrong instead of something right. AS
I just told you the red in Old Glory
is FOR courage to stand for those
things which are right. To keep the
principles upon which our government
was founded from being supplanted by
dictators and foes Of liberty and just,
ice our forefathers, the men no start
cd our government, signed the Declar-
alton of Independence, because they
saw that this country could not go
ahead under the dictation and tyranny
Of King George who was then King
of England. 1t was a wonderful docu-
ment they designed. In its text we read
that the principle thought set forth was
The fact that, "all men are created
equal that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain inalienable
Rights, that among these are Life,
Liberty and the pursuit Of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Govern
ments are instituted among Men de-