The Coconino sun., 1927-06-17

In letter dated, Philadelphia, De-
cember 27, 1775, Benjamin Franklin
gave the following explanation of the
famous rattlesnake motto used on
flags and drums at that time:
II observe on one of the drums
belonging to the marines now raising,
there was painted a rattlesnake with
this motto under it, Don't tread on
me- AS know it lis the custom to
have some device on the arms OF
every country, / suppose this may
have been intended for the arms OF
America; and, as | have nothing TO
do with public affairs, and as my
time is perfectly my own, IN order TO
divert an idle hour, | sat down to
guess what could have been IN
tended by this uncommon device. |
took care, however, TO consult, on
this occasion, person acquainted
with heraldry, from whom | learned
that it is a rule, among the learned IN
that science, '1that the worthy prop
critics of the animal in the crest
borne shall be considered; he ike
wise informed me that the -anclents
considered the serpent as an emblem
of wisdom, and, in a certain attitude
of endless duration-both Of which
circumstances, / suppose, may have
been had in view. Having gained tins
intelligence, and recollecting that
countries are sometimes represented
by animals peculiar to them, it oc-
Cured to me that the fattlesnake IS
found in no other quarter OF the
world beside America, and may, there
fore, have been chosen on that ac-
count to represent her. But then
the worthy properties of a snake,
iudge would be hard to point out.
This rather raised than suppressed
nv curiosity: and having frequently
seen the rattlesnake, | ran over ~
my mind every property Dy Whlcn
she was distinguished, not only from
other animals, but from those OF tne
same genus or class of ANIMALS, en-
deavoring to fix some meaning 70
each not wholly inconsistent with
common sense.
~ recollect that her eyes excelled
in brightness that of any other am
NAL. and that she had no eyeilds.
She may, therefore, be esteemed an
emblem of vigilance. She never be-
gins an attack, nor, when once en-
ragged. ever surrenders. She IS, there.
fore. an emblem of magnanimlty and
true courage. AS if anxious to pre-
vent all pretentions of quarrellng
with her. the weapons with which
nature has furnished her she con-
ceals in the roof of her mouth, SO
that. to those who are unacqualnted
with her she appears to be a de-
fenseless animal; and even When
those weapons are shown, and ex-
tended for defense, they appear weak
and contemplate; but their wounds,
however small, are decisive and fatal.
Conscious Of this, she never wounds
till She has generously given notice,
even to her enemy, and cautioned
him against the danger of treadlng
on her. Was ] wrong, slr, IN thlnk-
ing this strong a picture OF the tenl- @
per and conduct of America! Inc
poison Of her teeth is the necessary
means Of digesting her food, and at
the same time is certain destruction
to her enemies. This may be under
stood TO intimate that those things
which are destruction to our enemies,
NAV be to us not only harmless, but
absolutely necessary to our existence.
~ confess / was wholly at loss
what to make of the rattles, till !
went back and counted them, and
found them just thirteen, exactly the
nunber of the colonies united IN
America and I recollect, too, that
this was the only part of the snake
which increased in number. Perhaps
It might be only fancy, but con-
ceivcd the painter had shown q hall
formed additional rattle; which, 4
suppose, may have been intended to
represent the province OF Canada
'Tis curious and amazing to observe
how distinct and independent OF each
other the rattles of this animal are,
and vet how firmly they are united
together, so as never to be separated
/ hut bv breaking them to pieces. One
Of these rattles singly is incapable
Of producing sound; but the ring Of
thirteen together is sufficient to alarm
the boldest man living.
"The rattlesnake IS solitary, and
associates with her kind only when
| It IS necessary for their preservation
In winter the warmth Of a number
together will preserve their lives;