The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1922-10-10
No Blossom Ever Has Been Sc
Iected as the Symbol of the
United States.
HUMBLE DAISY IS PROPOSED
Bill in Congress Would Raise the Daisy
to Official Post Of National Flower
-Cciumbine and Mayfiower
Suggested.


Lie notice again. This great nation, S
complete in most respects, has no ma
ttOnal flower
There is no blossom that the pOlit
cal candidate can stick in his button
hole to show that he is a patriot AM
to which he can point with pride a
| the living symbol of his high ideals
There is no flower that can be carved
into public buildings about Washing
ton to remind the government worke
Of some inspiring tradition.
When the President chooses fiowe
for his coat or his wife selects deco
ration for a state dinner, they mus
ponder the entire list of flowers In thu
White House Conservatives. No nation
al blossom comes instantly to mind al
the emblem which fittingly represents
the nation. This catalogue could e
on indefinitely. The nation simply
has no national flower.
Generally such things are arranged
for country through accident. Some
gallant leader takes to wearing into
battle the flower beloved by his lady
and his cohorts follow suit Eventual
ly the nation is saved by the hero and
he attributes everything to the charm
of the flower. Popular sentiment is
aroused. The story of the flower that
saved the country becomes tradition
Gradually it becomes the national
urff ont
England acquired the rose as its ma
tional flower through a series of ro-
mantle instances each of which deep
ened the significance of the flower.
The thistle really saved Scotland
when a moat filled with thistles pre-
vented the enemy from reaching an i'm
portant fortress.
American Heroes NegIectfuI.
But early American heroes were
strangely neglectful of this matter.
They spent much time planning suit
able seal and flag. But they never
bothered TO snatch up sprig of gold
enrod or snapdragon when they went
out to fight, and their great-great-
grandchildren are suffering today as
q result.
In the recent war when the scarlet
Flanders poppy became so poignant
symbol of Americas sacrifice the ma
tional flower seemed about to appear.
But the beautiful poppy, 1t was ex-
planned by horticultural experts, was
q weed in France and to introduce 1t
into the gardens Of this country would
be mistake. So the poppy remains
only memory except for the artificial
specimens that occasionally bloom on
national holidays.
Now, Representative Kissel Of New
which would raise the humble daisy to
the official post of the national flower.
Kissel's bill has aroused
4 number of inquiries and expressions
# protest and approval.
Some people think that the national
lower should not be a common weed
out blossom that can be cultivated
and cherished. They want something
handsome that will do the nation
credit. Others applaud the sweet sim
)licity of the daisy, but believe that
We should choose flower that is more
capable of historic association. Others
cad into the daisy-a fitting symbolism
or national use. The heart of gold,
he Wilderness of pure ideals, the green
talk suggesting fruitfulness Of earth
ire pointed out.
1t seems to be especially important
0 link up complete set Of associa-
ions with a national flower if 1t Is
O be arbitrarily legislated into exist
nee. The ceIumbine, for instance,
Vhich was persistently pushed in hot
ace for the national flower some
ears ago is said to be deeply signifi-
ant
Moreover, the columbine grows wild
yer the greater part of the country,
nd blooms in adverse circumstances. |
{ grows in a variety of colors, among |
hem red, white, and blue.
Mayf1ower Suggested.
The mayfower has since had quite |
following. particularly in the East. |
his was the first flower that greeted |
he Pilgrims after their hard winter
l Plymouth. Unfortunately, how
YER, it is a blossom of our eastern
past, and is scarcely known to other |
,ctions Of the country.
Goldenrod, which has many support
IS, also arouses opposition. 1t was /
lggested because Of the association
it'll gold. America being the tradi-
onal land Of gold. But goldenrod has
bad reputation as a hay fever
gent, and it would probably make
eat many people miserable If it were
be widely used as the national
,wer
The panSy seems strange flower
be proposed for our national en-
EN-. Yet in 1852 two bills were intro
iced to that effect. Deciding upon a
tionaI flower by legislation seems
possible. The old spontaneous way
acquiring one is undoubtedly the
ost natural. and perhaps ii is moi
0 late for America to follow the