The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-03-22

Prepared by National Geographic Society.
Washington. D. C.-WNU Service
TLAGS refuse the military COM
- mand "As you were" Since
the World war, more changes
have been made In the flags of
civilization, than in any other period of
like duration.
Such ancient countries as Afghanis-
tan and China have adopted new flags,
while recent-born Manchukuo has adj
vanced a claim to a place in the fam
lily of nations and established flag in
accordance with that claim.
Even in such settled governments as
those of the United States and the
British empire there have been many
changes in the flags secondary to Old
Glory in the one and to the Union flag
In the other.
Practically all of the United States
military flags that shared the battle
fields with the national standard,
whether colors Of infantry regiments,
standards of mounted troops, or the
command flags of ranking officers, have
Joined the ranks of the obsolete. The
War department, wishing to have its
whole series of flags designed in har-
mony and in keeping with the finest
standards of heraldry, has almost en-
tirely remade that part of the army
regulations prescribing the designs and
colors of the army's flags.
State Flags Changed.
Fourteen states of the Union have
changed their flags entirely, by legis-
lative action; in eighteen other states
the vagaries of embroidering designs
upon flags have left their imprint in
such a way as to create change by
usage.
In the British empire, the Union of
South Africa and the Irish Free State
have created their own national flags,
while in all of the inundated territories
and some of the old possessions, such
as Nova Scotia, new badges have been
approved. These badges are worn at
the intersection of the crosses on the
Union flag and in circles in the fly of
the blue ensign and the red ensign.
The flags and pennants of the in
IeTHdIlOud1
and the changes put into effect on jan
uary 1, 1884. This group Of flags and
pennants was developed to enable all
nations to communicate with one an
other on the high seas. AS used for
many years, some of the letters of the
alphabet were represented by pennants
and others by square flags, while all
numbers were expressed by pennants.
In order to overcome possible con-
fusion, the newly revised code makes
all flags representing letters Of the al
phabet oblong and all numerals pen
nant-shaped.
1t has been said that flags were di-
vinely ordained; that when Jehovah
made his covenant with mankind that
all flesh should never again be de-
stroyed by a flood he sealed the
pledge by unfurling across the heav-
ems the great banner of the ages-the
rainbow itself.
From that time forward men in turn
have lifted up standards, emblems, and
colors around which they have kindled
their fires of patriotism, developed
their sense of loyalty to one another,
and bound themselves together with
ties of nationality.
Explorers have discovered on the
monuments and in the tombs Of an
cient Egypt carvings and paintings de-
picting troops in formation with their
standards uplifted and their banners
streaming, 80
The people of Israel had their stand
ards. We read in Numbers: "And the
Lord spake unto Moses and unto
Aaron, saying, Every man of the Chill
dren of Israel shall pitch (his tent
by his own standard with the ensign
of their fathers house."
AS far back as 500 B. c. the Persians
revolted against the tyranny of a
despotic ruler. 1t was good black
smith by the name of Koah who led
the cause and his apron became the
standard of the revolt.
At the time Of Cyrus the Persians
used white flag on which was gold
en- eagle. The Roman republic bor-
rowed it's silver eagle, holding In its
talons the thunderbolts of Jove, from
the Etruscans. Augustus lifted high
a globe to commemorate his conquest
of the earth. Constantine adopted the
Cross to signalize his vision.
In Ancient Times.
The early Greeks had a piece of ar
NOR on a spear; the Athenians used
the olive and the owl as their emblem,
and the Thebans lifted aloft a sphinx.
The efforts of the people Of America
to express their sentiments In flags con-
stitute one of the romances of our
history.
AS the rising tide of resentment
against British rule swept the col
onies, the faith of the people and their
attitudes burgeoned forth on their
flags New Englands protest was
against the illegal acts of the British
ministry. 1t believed those acts would
be repudiated by the king when he
realized the injustice being done to
his subjects in the colonies. There
fore. Massachusetts petitioned the king
to restore her rights, opening her state
ment of grievances with the phrase
Appealing TO Heaven for the justice of
our Cause" The expression caught the
Imagination of the people; the pine tree
became their symbol and IAN Appeal
TO Heaven" their motto.
virginia-born George Washington
.oc,rI;,,nptad. tho Now EDUlapI N<,irit