Evening star., 1925-06-11
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL y. COLLINS.

Next Sunday will be the birthday of
the American flag. That birthday is
officially known as Flag day, when all
patriotic Americans will show special
honors to Old Glory. 1t has been un-
officially suggested that there should
be a week, instead of one day, for
such honoring of the Nations symbol.
BY other suggestions, emphasis is put
upon the genuineness and whole
heartedness of the one-day observ-
ance. It Ia always desirable upon the
approach of a birthday, to prepare for
its recognition in advance.
y
Who is Old Glory? Why should the
flag of the youngest world power be
designated as old? 1t Is not a term
Of reproach, but Of endearment. A
typical Yankee gave 1t that name
Capt. William Driver. who in 1881
was about to sail in command of the
brig Charles Doggett. As the flag
broke out into the breeze the captain
looked up. and with the inspiration of
his enthusiastic admiration he ex-
claimed: There files old Glory'!"
Always thereafter he was known as
"Old Glory Driver" for he persisted
In calling the flag by that inspired
name. After he retired from service
on the sea. he took up his home in
Nashville, Tenn, where the Southern
secession found him, and fearing that
the original ''Old Glory" might be cap
tured, he sewcd It within a comforter
and slept throughout the war beneath
its protecting stars and Stripes.
When Grant was able to say: Let us
have peace" "Old Glory" was again
Capt. Driver exclaimed: Now that
old Glory is up there, gentlemen, l
am ready to die"
But "Old Glory" has a clear his
torical right to the name, for 1t out
ranks in seniority of age every other
flag in the world. Its birthday was
June IA, 1777. The present flag of
Spain dates from 1855; that of France
from 1874, of Great Britain from 1901,
of the Republic of Italy from 1S4S,
of Japan from 1859. Those mentioned
are the oldest flags in the world. Old
Glory the senior and doyen of them
all. Where are the imperial flags
of Russia, Germany and Austria?
In the language Of Admiral Schley
at Santiago, There's glory enough
for all.' A short time before the
United States entered the World War
there was a patriotic demonstration
In Boston, and standing upon a side
walk with a group OF young friends.
a pert young girl sneered at the flag
with the attempted wit: 1T looks
Just like a stick of candy" The re-
mark was overheard by Senator Henry
Cabot Lodge, sitting in a parked car,
and he retorted: Yes. young lady.
but If so, 1t has never yet been licked" )"
r
Glory enough for all! 1t has led
America ever to bless the world by
freeing the oppressed, by defending
the weak, by preserving the Union
of the greatest Republic In history of
civilized governments, by opening
Japan to world opportunity amongst
the great powers, by befriending
China, by protecting Cuba and
Venezuela and other nations of this
hemisphere. by rescuing the allied
nations from certain defeat by
would.be world conqueror. That flag
was the first to be planted at the
North Pole IA years ago. 1t has
never vet been defeated in it's de-
fense of the right and Justice, nor been
tarnished by leadership in an un-
worthy, selfish or tyrannical cause.
1t is the voice and soul of American
ideals.
Hats on 49,, o.
blare of bugles. ruffie of drums.
A flash Of color beneath the sky:
The Flag + passing 2 BY
Hats OF? Upon every occasion of a
patriotic parade in every city OF