The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1923-06-14
HONOR THE FLAG
Mascns Have Been Closely Identi-
fled With the History of
the Flag.

The anniversary of the birthday
of the Flag of the United States
June, 1777, the date on which it was
adopted by Congress as the Nationa
emblem, has been set apart as q
fitting occasion for the American
people formally to pay to the Ma
tional Colors the honor and respect
which is their due, and thus mani
fest their love and affection for their
Country.
The commemoration of Flag Day
patriotic exercises was first observed
in 1890, upon the recommendation
Of the Connecticut Society of the
Sons of the American Revolution
The propriety of this custom was
at once recognized by the several
patriotic societies and the public
generally. The celebration of Flag
Day has since developed widespread
popularity.
Among the objects of Flag Day
are the crystalization of sentiment
against the descration of the Flag,
and the promotion of public opinion
in favor of the customary obser-
vances Of respect due the national
emblem. Many civic and patriotic
societies have co-operated to these
ends and all citizens should give
every such effort loyal support.
Meaning of Colors.
The colors of the flag may be
thus explained: The red is for valor
zeal and fervency; the white, for
hope, purity, cleanliness of life and
rectitude of conduct; the blue the
color of heaven, for reverence to
God, loyalty, sincerity, Justice and
truth.
The star (an ancient symbol o.
India, Persia and Egypt symbolizes
dominion and sovereignty, as well
as lofty aspiration. The constella-
tion OF the stars within the union
one star for each State, is emblem
attic of our Federal Constitution
which reserves to the States their
individual sovereignty except as to
rights delegated by them to the
Federal Government.
The symbolism of the Flag was
thus interpreted by Washington:
1--WE take the stars from Heaven
tn red from our mother country,
separating it by white stripes, thus
showing that we have separated
from her, and the white stripes shall
go down to posterity representing
Liberty"
Deep Significance.
The American Flag is unique In
the deep and noble significance OF
it's message to the entire world, a
message of national independence
of individual liberty, of idealism, OF
patriotism.
1t incarnates for all mankind the
spirit of Liberty and the glorious
ideal of human Freedom; not the
freedom of unrestraint or the liberty
nj license. but an unique ideal OF
equal opportunity for life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness safe
guarded by the stern and lofty prln-
ciples of duty, of righteousness ana
of Justice and attainable by sped-
,ence to self-imposed laws.
Masonic jurisdictions throughout
the country are taking official cog
oizance of Flag Day. The Grand
Master OF Masons of New York
State in his encyclical in 1921,
said: "I invite and request our
Lodges to salute the National Colors
and fittingly to celebrate the 'oc-
casion."
A number of Lodges have adopted
the Salute to the Colors as a fegu-
low faatrre Of their stated communl-
cations. :.
Masons have been closely ldenti-
f;ad with the history of the Flag.
II was Washington, who was master
Of a Masonic Lodge, who submitted
the first rough design to Betsy Ross
n was first hoisted upon an Amer
can man-of-war by John Paul jones'
| master mason.