Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-09
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

in all Protestant churches as well as In
Catholic churches and is known as the
Latin cross. 1t was so known before
there ever was Pope. There Is one call
ed Calvary" the same as the Latin
cross, except that there are three steps
at its base. Next, is the 'archiepiscopal
cross" with two crossbeams, and then
comes the "papal cross" with three
crossbeamS No naval vessel ever dis
played the "papal cross" The Church
pennant" is long white streamer run
ming to a sharp point and on its face Is
a blue Latin cross" identical with what
is found in Protestant churches-the
simplest form Of cross.
The first flag used by our "rebellious
colonies" came into existence in ITS.
through q resolution of the Massachu-
sets Council.
Resolved that the uniform of the Of
ficers (of the six Washington cruis-
ers) be. white, and that they furnish
themselves accordingly; and that the
colorS be q white ground with green
pine tree, and an inscription: An ap-
peal to Heaven" Today's church pen
nant Is also an appeal to Heaven.
It might be said that the cross. like
that used on our church pennant, was
the emblem under which Columbus dis
covered the Western Hemisphere; Co
lumbus' personal flag bore blue cross
on a white field, but the flag was
notched at It's end in "swallow-tail'
form instead Of running to one point
like the church pennant.
With all of Senator Helms new zeal
for the glory of "Old Glory" 1t Is re-
grettable that his own State does not
have any law requiring the National
flag to be displayed regularly on any
State building or any schoolhouse. I'M
less the governor especially so directs.
No Southern State protects the National
flag.
The State of South Carolina has
law against the dissertation of its own
State flag. but no law protecting the
National flag. In Alabama. Maryland.
North Carolina, South Carolina and Vir-
ginia, State laws require the display of
State flags on the Capitol and public
school buildings, but there Is no law as
to the National flag. except the condi-
tional one in Alabama. based. as above
stated, upon a special dispensation OF
the governor.
Y y
While the earliest actual official rec
ord of a church pennant in the Amer
lean Navy dates back only to 1851, 1t Is
assumed to have been derived from the
British practice # over a century ago,
and to date back Ia the beginning OF our
Revolution. A book, Naval Routine"
published in England In 1887, refers to
it, and another entitled Naval Sketch
Book" published also in England in
1926, says: 1.-THE first Of the articles of
war directs that the public worship of
almighty God according to the estab-
lished forms of the Church of England
shall take place every Sabbath"
e "the pennant flying at the
peak"
Nevertheless a more modern classic,
possibly written by Senate page, bears
upon the recent discussion in "the
greatest deliberative body in the world"
although 1t is not officially Endorsed by
the Alabama delegation.
A Modern Barberie Fritchie.
Up in the Senate few adorn
Such furious eloquence, tattered and
torn
Strong al the force of battering ram
AS the rotund statesman from Alabam.
Round him the Senator'S sweetly dream
OF tariffs and cruisers and battles
CLEAN.
"Halt!'--the gavel of Dawes bangs hard.
"Fire!"-outblazed the hero on guard.
"The Pope, with the Fascists all sub
dued.
Next plans to invade our neighborhoodl
Look to your affairs. We feeble darayanks.
It's ! who will save you-to me give
your thanks"
He leaned DER his desk and banged with
his fist
The galleries laughed, applauded and
Kissed.
Shoot If you must, this avoirdupois.
But spare me my country's nag, my
boys!
That Roman cross, that Papal sign.
D lower before this loud voice of niireI
Who touches button Of this white
vest.
Dies like Ku Klux firel Tn blest
II know who started this row.
But 1t will settle, right here and now.
Though Popes hold the key TO that
Heavenly gate,
I'll work the time lock and enter IN
state"
scopyrisAs. 1929. ~ Paul y. sspMsa