Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-07-02

it gets the full measure of respect on an oc-
be an expert on flag etiquette will not save
you from being regarded as an American Of
doubtful pedigree Is you inadvertently disply
the flag with the stars in the wrong corner.
Not so many years ago the flag was treated
with enthusiastic but misguided familiarity. On
any occasion when the American Revolution or
the republic were apt to be mentioned a hall
was decked out in flags. They were looped
and twirled and fastened into ~rosettes- They
were nailed to chandeliers and ratings. and
If a corner of a flag here and there trailed on
the floor no one thought anything of it.
A large bunting flag was regarded as the
desk. The gavel was laid on the flag, and II
the chairman found it necessary to rap for
order there was no alternative but to bang on
the patriotic table cover. A pitcher Of ice water,
get by the gavel, generally completed the set
ting for a rousing meeting.
The piece de resistance OF the patriotic eve
ming was generally a solo dance by some star
pupil of a dancing school. in which the per-
flag, or put together to resemble a flag. The
dance usually began with Hail and
progressed through a list Of patriotic songs to
But all that Is over. For some years. the flag
has been under the protection Of nobody knows
how many Of all the patriotic societies. His
tory and heraldry have been tapped to ascer-
tain the exact etiquette suitable on every posi-
BILE occasion ct which the national emblem ap-
pears.
1t has been discovered that when the flag Is
used to decorate a room or building 1t should
always De NUM- i II straight lilcS HCNCI VI dPSA
nor twisted. 1t should not be nailed but hung
by loops or through rings in the binding.
If It is used to cover a pulpit 1T or 81 desk, desk n O. :.
a Bible. It must never In any circumstance
be allowed to touch the floor FOR fear some
one might step on It.
II it is hung as a banner-that is. with the
stripes horizontal. as we usually see them
the field Of stars. or union should be IN the
stripes running up and down, the union should
be in the upper right hand corner.
If these rules are followed, flag decorations
are sanctioned by patriotic experts. Some OF
the patriotic societies, however. hold that It is
really more desirable to use bunting an deco,
rating the walls of a room. Red, white and
blue bunting may be draped or festooned In sly
most any way desired. II
The only techinal point In using bunting Is
that it has a top and bottom. Unfortunately for
the bewildered flag hanger, the experts DO not
agree as to which is the top side of bunting. Four
years ago q deputy q~uartermaster general de-
creed that the proper order. for good taste, Is
red. white and blue-red at the top. This. ne
said, was in accordance with the heraldic col
ors of the flag. which always are read in the
order he named.
Another authority differs. He maintains as
firmly that bunting should be hung with the
blue at the top, followed by white and then
read, so as to follow strictly the rules OF her
aldry as they are shown in our Our,s shield. has .n g
blue field at the top. and below that the wnite
and red stripes. AS there is a disagreement
over this, and as bunting, after all, is not the
flag. this is not so important as some other
points of flag etiquette.
1t is more important, for instance, 70 remem.
Der that a flag worn ON the coat lapel should
always be worn on the left side. 1t should pc
small and there should never be any button or
other f- coration worn above 1t. -,
1t is also important to know that when the
flag passes, a civilian should lift his hat and
hold it in his right hand across his left shculd-
err. This movement, if properly executed. ID
intended to bring the lat over the heart. ANY
one is expected to stand when the flag passes
or is raised or lowered on a staff.
There is a significance back of all the various
observances. Persons stand to show respect.
and the flag is entitled to this respect because
it is the symbol of the nation. AS the symbol
Of the United States. the Stars and Stripes
should always be treated with veneration:. That
the Is w National q law sh psess as q ' trade H's mark. = It is not
thought fitting thai our national banner should
be. a common reminder OF knives. mats or otner
There is a strong sentiment against the use
of the flag as a costume, or part of a costume.
as a background for pictures of any. kind, as
for example the portraits OF the President ana
Vice President, of George Washington, or the
National Capitol.
In time of war. we became used to seeing the
flag flying at night, as this was permitted by a
war department ruling: But ema nov ce even seSs ;s
peace negotiations. there Is no reason Tor tne
flag to be left flying in bad weather or arter
People have accepted the idea that the flag
is to be handled carefully and respectfully az
all times. But personal Judgment as 10 wnas
upon. One person will hang out an old tattereoi
flag on patriotic days, feeling that its dins'ness
suggests long service.
The Patriotic societies. looking at the mat
ter from another angle, say that aytorn flag
should never be hoisted until it has been neatly
repaired. A tattered flag is more inspiring tnan
a fresh one only when the old flag was worn out
in battle or other distinguished service. And
even such old. historic standards are now care
fully mended to preserve them, and also be-
cause not to do so suggests neglect and the al
ways-to-be avoided disrespect. 80.
Because people do differ as to what might
be proper in handling the national emblem,
rules Of guidance have been laid down for
practically every emergency. Those given mere
cover the most usual situations. They are not
oficial rules, backed by law. But they have
almost gained the force Of law by the eternal
vigilance of the flag protectionists.