Evening star., 1936-06-13
By Leila Pier King.

emotions through enSlgnS ana stand
ards. The faith and confidence OF
the early colonists were emblazoned
on their banners Conquest and dis
covery spoke from emblems of ex-
plorers. Determination and endur-
ance were symbolized on the flags of
pioneers.
Flag day, 1886, has added signifi-
canoe, when, for the first time in the
history of the United States, flags of
all the Commonwealths are displayed
in a national cathedral. Pilgrims by
the thousands who visit the Wash
ington Cathedral manifest an un-
usual interest in the collection Of State
flags. Finding displayed the emblem
of their own State, they feel at home
and are impressed with this unique
setting of their banner.
Just as the ancient Romans treas
ured their standards within temples,
so do the builders of the Cathedral
believe that our State flags. emblems
of LOYALTY to country, should be one
with the symbols of the spirit. Thus
treasured and blended they make their
silent appeal for the highest devotion
to spiritual and civic unity.
THE State flags are displayed in
The Great Choir of the Cathedral.
They hang from the triforium gal
lery, alternating from north to south,
in the order in which the respective
States entered the Union. Recently,
the last three of the 48 State flags,
South Dakota, North Dakota and
Idaho. were presented to the Cathedral
and dedicated with appropriate cere-
monies. This completed the roster OF
State emblems.
The Massachusetts, flag is memo
rial to United States Senator Henry
Cabot Lodge and Mrs. Anna Lodge.
a gift of their daughter. Mrs. Henry
Gilpin presented the Virginia flag in
memory of Woodrow Wilson, twenty
eighth President of the United States.
The Vermont flag was given by John
r. Mclean as memorial to George
Dewey, admiral Of the Navy.
Champ Clark, Speaker of the House,
is memorialiZed in the Missouri flag
presented by his daughter. The Port
land Chamber of Commerce made
gift of the Oregon flag in memory of
the Oregon pioneers" Mrs. Guy D.
Goff gave the West Virginia emblem
In memory of her husband, United
States Senator from that State. Colo
radios flag is memorial to Thomas
r. Walsh presented by his grand
daughter, Mrs. Evalyn Beale Mclean.
Mrs. Frank Mondell sponsored pre-
sentation of the wyoming flag, hon
oring John Roberts, pioneer mission
ary among the Shoshone and Ara
pahoe Indians. Mrs. Francis G. New
lands gave the Wyoming flag as a
memorial to her husband, United
States Senator from that State. Ed
ward Beale Mclean presented the
Ohio flag in memory of his grand
father, Washington Mclean.
Nine flags were given as memorials
by patriotic societies. Among these
the flag of Illinois memorializes Alb
raham Lincoln. and the New York
flag commentaries Theodore Roose-
welt. The remaining 18 memorial
flags honor either high-ranking State
and church officials, or loved men,
bCl VA I1AO OOIIOI . 4ollAly'
The Governors of New Jersey. Del
aware, Florida Mississippi and Min
nesota gave the flags of their respec-
tive States. The banners of Calfor-
MIA and South Dakota were given by
the State societies in the DtssTtet of
Columbia.
zach of the official flags was pre-
sented and dedicated during the
Sunday evensong at the Cathedral.
Whenever possible the donors and
State officials attended. The flags
were received by the bishop, who read
the prayer of dedication:
20 Lord God Almighty, Supreme
Governor of all the peoples of the
earth, and the only source Of
strength. justice and peace. look
down on us, we humbly beseech
Thee, and be pleased to accept
and bless these flags, symbols of
the States of our beloved country,
which we here and now dedicate
to Thee for the use of this Ca
thedral. Make them to be as en-
signs and beacons leading men to
the love and service of Thy Son,
their Comrade and Captain, as well
as of State and country. And be-
meath these banners may we find
surcease of sorrow and trouble, the
fullness of life, and entrance into
the habitations of everlasting Joy;
through the name of Thy Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen"
Dedication of the flags, however
does not mark an ending of interest,
but rather the beginning of a con-
t1nued recognition in program of
national significance. The Cathedral
Association believes that "just as the
governmental interests of the people
of each of the 48 States are rep
resented under the dome of the
Capitol, so their spiritual interests
are remembered in Washington Ca
thedral"
The plan adopted and now in use
Is called the union of States plan,
1t sets apart one week of the year for
each State. During this week at both
Sunday and weekday services special
prayers are said for the happiness
and welfare of that States people.
To the Sunday afternoon services the
Senators and Representatives from the
State as well as its Governor, are es-
pecialy invited, together with its
citizens who are in Washington, either
in Government service or as visitors.
At this service the State flag is carried
in the procession behind the cross and
the national colors. Attention is
called from the pulpit or chancel to
the State which is being commem-
GRATED.
Speaking recently of the union of
States plan, former United States
Senator George Wharton Pepper, said:
G'The great Cathedral Church N