Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-09-11
u. S. BOASTS NO
BLOSSOM FOR A
NATION EMBLEM
BY FREDERICK j. HAsKIN.


respects, has no national flower.
There is no blossom that the
political candidate can stick in his
buttonhole to show that he is a
patriot and to which he can point
with pride as the living symbol of
his high ideals. There is no flower
that can be carved into public
buildings about Washington to re-
mind the government worker of
some inspiring tradition. When
the president chooses flower for
his coat or his wife selects decora-
lions for a state dinner, they must
ponder the entire list of flowers in
the White House Conservatives. No
national blossom comes instantly
to mind as the emblem which fit
tlngly represents the nation. This
catalogue could go on Indefinitely.
Inc nation simply has no national
flower.
Generally such things are ar
ranged for a country through ac-
cldent. Some gallant leader takes
TO wearing into battle the flower
beloved by his lady and his cohorts
FOLLOW suit. Eventually the nation
is saved by the hero and he at
tributes everything to the charm of
the flower. Popular sentiment is
aroused, The story of the flower
becomes tradition. Gradually the
flower becomes the national flow
er without anw arguments.
England acquired the rose as its
national flower through series of
romantic instances, each of which
deepened the significance of the
flower. The thistle, really saved
Scotland when a moat filled with
thlstles prevented the enemy from
reaching an important fortress. The
lily became the badge of Louis VII,
Of France, when he started on his
to the Holy Land and all
France accepted the Kings choice.
But early American heroes were
neglectful Of this matter.
They spent much time planning a
seal and flag. But they
never bothered to snatch up a sprig
of soldenrod or snapdragon when
hey went out to fight, and their
great, great grandchildren are suf-
sering today as a result.
In the recent war when the scar
ct Flanders poppy became so poig-
lant a symbol of Americas sacri-
ice the national flower seemed
about to appear. But the beauti-
'ul poppy, it was explained by .hor-
icultural experts, was a weed in
France and to introduce 1t into the
gardens of this country would be
mistake. So the poppy remains
'nly a memory for the artificial
ipecimens that occasionally bloom
IN national holidays.
Daisy is Proposed.
Now, Representative Kissel, of
New York, has introduced a bill in
congress which would raise the
tumble daisy to the official post of
he national flower. A purely
aesthetic bill about a daisy has as
much chance of receiving serious
now as a bill to make
I'll representatives learn the "Star
'pangled Banner" would. But a bill
S bill. 1t is always potential leg
Station, and people are interested
n it from that standpoint. Re-
Kissers bill has
reused a number of inquiries and
of protest and approval.
Some people think that the ma
ional flower should not be a COM
non weed but a blossom that can
'e cultivated and cherished. They
want something handsome that will
10 the nation credit, Others ap-
'laud the sweet simplicity of the
aisy, but believe that we should
hoose a flower that is more cap
BILE of historic association. Others
cad into the daisy a fitting SYM
'olism for4national use. The heart
f gold, the Wilderness of pure ideals
he green stalk suggesting fruit
illness Of earth, are pointed out.
1t seems to be especially import
mt to link up a complete set of
ssociations with a national flower
t it is to be arbitrarily legislated
nto existence, The columbine, for
Instance, which was persistently
'ushed in hot race for the nation
i flower some years ago, is said
o be deeply significant. The name
uggests Columbus and Columbia.
Al three are, in fact, from the
anne Latin word, meaning dove.
he dove, it was pointed out is
esirable symbol for any country,
as it does peace and
nildness.
Moreover, the columbine grows
,ild over the greater part of the
ountry, and blooms in adverse cir
1t grows in a variety
f colors, among them red, white
nd blue.
Back in 1896, when interest in
his matter was widespread, col
mbine society worked untirinsly
0 have it's favorite flower adopted
Y the nation. The governor of
forth Carolina called National
lower convention to which repres-
natives from every state came.
hey drew UP revolutions setting
orth the qualifications for ma
onal flower. After that they con-
luded that the columbine was the
My flower among those proposed
hat measured up to the standard
What q National Flower Should BE.
The columbine is practically for
often as a candidate for the hon
r now, but the standards are sun
Interesting. 1t was decided that
he national flower. should be a
alive of this country; it should be
flower not already claimed by
ONE other country; it should
loom on at least one national non
ay and lend itself readily to floral
ecorations; it should mot be a
reed or harmful to the health; IL
hould be suitable for decorative
is it should be capable
recognition independent of COZ
r If used in a conventional way
nd it should possess If possible
1me patriotic association.
The Mayflower has since hau
ute a following, particularly IN
le east. This was the first flow
: that greeted the Pilgrims after
heir hard winter in Plymouth. IN
however, 1t is a plos-
,m OF our eastern coast, and is
,arcely known to other sections OF
le country. 1t cannot be trans
lanted successfully nor cultivated
"a ;t bynny,o Cor pply n short time,