Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-06-08
FLAG DAY AND MAGMA cHARrA.

Tuesday, June IA. is the l44th anniversary Of the
day on which the Stars and Stripes was adopted as the
FLAG Of the United States. In recent years this day has
been observed quite generally throughout the United
States and in foreign countries where groups of Amert-
cans are found, the observance being usually In the ma
ture OF patriotic exercises appropriate to the occasion.
The day is not a legal holiday in this state or elsewhere.
% far as we have information. 1t is not necessary that
it should be. If all the important events in our history
were to. be marked by legal holidays we should have little
time for everything else. Nevertheless, it is entirely
proper and appropriate that our attention should be
called from time to time to the events which have been
Intimately associated with the creation of the nation and
the setting up of its ideals, and the anniversary of each
such event provides an appropriate occasion for the de-
votion of a little time and thought to the subject.
The American flag stands for the ideals of Ameri-
ca. 1t derives its saaredness from this fact. In its warp
and woof and in its colors are represented the strength
of American principles and the hopes OF its people. Love
for it involves love for the things which it represents.
Respect for it is impossible without respect for the dig
nifty of the nation. In the governors proclamation OH
ciai recognition is given to the day in this state, and,
while the executive debases his Office and insults the peo-
pie OF his state by making a proclamation on such a sub
5ect the excuse for a political haransue. that fact should
be overlooked in the observance Of the day itself. and the
day should be observed everywhere in the spirit OF broad
Americanism.
June Is. the day following flag day. is the ami
versary of another event which has its meaning for
Americans. the signing of Magma Charta by King John.
Although that act was performed 7o7 years ago. long
before the American revolution. before the sailing Of the
Pilgrims, before the days of Columbus, even before the
hardy Norsemen under Lief Ericsson had first sighted the
western continent. it has borne fruit on this continent
and elsewhere throughout the civilized world. 1t Is a
milestone along the way of human liberty. and the Eng
fish speaking nations everywhere regard that document
as one of their most precious possessions.
Students of history everywhere recognize the inf1u-
ence which this charter of liberty has had on the prog
ress Of the race in all that pertains to democratic govern
ment- We believe that North Dakota was the first state,
and so far as we know it remains the only one. to give
formal recognition to the influence and value Of Magma
Charta by incorporating it among is ohhciAl documents.
For a dozen years or more, by virtue of a legislative res
clution to that effect. the text of the charter signed by
King John at Runnynede on June is. 1915, has been
published. toEether with the national and state constitu-
tons and other documents Of like character, Ia the
state Blue book. 1t was a happy thought to have this
done. because. in addition to famiiariIing the public
with a document of great historic importance. it fur
nishes an object lesson in the unity and continuity oil
progress, and serves as a reminder that long centuries
before We we're born. earnest men were laecrinE dill
gently in the cause of freedom and were laying the
foundations upon which future generations might build
their structures in safety and security.
With entire appropriateness, in view OF the rrex-
unity Of the two anniversaries. the two events, the sign
lns of the Great Charter and the adoption ct the Stars
and Stripes. may be associated in public exercises and
public thought.