Evening star., 1936-06-13


worked out what we call the Union
of States Plan. 1t Is a plan to pre-
serve a spiritual union between the
central government and the States
by giving to the people of each State
both responsibility and a privilege
in the maintenance of divine serv-
ice on Mount st. Alban."
While it may never have been a
part of the vision of the makers Of
State flags to have their emblems
SO signally honored by this great plan.
vet it is eminently fitting that they
should be thus recognized. The very
nature of a cathedral speaks of hu-
man fellowship and brotherhood, en-
dowing it as symbol of our deep,
underlying spiritual and civic unity.
Shrines of worship and emblems
held aloft originated when the world
was new. When Jehovah unfurled a
rainbow across the heavens He pre-
sented the world with its first flag.
That banner of beauty sealed His
covenant with mankind that food
waters should never again destroy all
flesh. Thus the rainbow became a
symbol of unbroken promises-a flag
Of the ages.
From that first pattern all flags
are designed. State flags use its colors
and stripes and the stars from the
heavens above. Just as the rainbow
was unfurled against the sky, to mans
mind the highest conceivable point.
SO today the flag is held on high, and
exercises its prerogative Of placing in
disgrace one who lets its folds touch
the ground.
Every detail of our State flags
has meaning. Even the tassels and
fringe are symbols of very early reli-
gious rites. The star was used by the
ancient Persians and Egyptians as
q symbol of dominion and sovereignty.
The red speaks for fervency, zeal and
courage. White stands for purity,
cleanness of life and rectitude of
conduct Loyalty, devotion, friendship,
justice and truth call out from ban
ners Of blue.
&TATE flags conform largely to our
national flag. Twenty or more have
blue background, some carry star
or stars, others use combinations of
stripes. Several are emblazoned with
the State seal. All but seven bear a
motto on their flag. These notices
are in seven languages-Greek, Span
ish, Italian, Latin, American Indian
and English. The twenty-three mot
toes in Latin are taken from the great
Seneca. Translated, they express the
spirit and character of the people
within the State.
The Iowa flag declares "Our liber-
ties we prize and our rights we will
maintain" Kansas philosophers, ITO
the stars through rugged ways"
Nothing without the Divinity is
Colorado's motto. Maryland recalls
the days of courtliness in MANLY
deeds and womanly words" Michi-
gan's flag invitingly reads, "If thou
seekest a beautiful peninsula, look
Ground" South Dakota recognizes a
Supreme Ruler with Under God the
people rule" THE mountaineers are
always free" is West Virginia's motto
Maryland's flag bears the paternal
coat of arms of Lord Baltimore. The
escutcheon is interesting in design and
symbolical of early English history
Richard Henry Lee and George Mason
were the committee who prepared the
Virginia SEAL 1t was offlcially adopted
July 5, 1776, one day after the Dec
laration of Independence was signed.
The District of Columbia has no off,
cial flag. pending recognition as an
independent State. Meanwhile, flag
designed by the District Militia is dis
played.
THE laws of Texas are clear and
definite regarding the correct
usage and display of the State flag.
Their flag regulations cover seven
printed pages and are noticeably
longer than those of any other State.
Several years ago q Texas hoodlum
committed an act of desecration
against the State flag and was prop
erly punished by native of the State.
The Legislature showed its apprecia-
ton of the punishment by passing a
special act commencing the man who
threshed the offender.
Every country in the world has its
flag. Each branch of the armies and |
navies has its ensign. Every people,
tribe or group banded together by a
common purpose is characterized by
an individual flag There is even
definite talk Of a world flag, a symbol
of world brotherhood, "one for all, and
lii for one" This flag, If adopted6
Sould float above all other flags as
gen of the worlds desire for pea
pg men. |