PS 509 H5G 8 Gil 3 p\ -^1 Southern Branch of the University of California Los Angeles Form L I This book is DUIi) on the last date stamped behtvv I APR j 8 RFCP j -■I t + * + (IJue ^ouulrn ami (l)uc J|-lai\, / 0UR_^0UNTRY'5_PLaG — m^' — Comrilerl find Publisher) bij Rev. George w. Gue PASTOR FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, POCK ISLAND. ILLINOIS Late Chaplain 108th Reg. Ilia. Volunteers AND Chaplain Department of Illinois of the Grand Armu of thn Rt'Dubllr for 1889 iLLUSTROTEt) If Davenport, Iowa egbert. fidlar. & chambers, publishers 1890 Copyriglit, January, ISOO, By a. W. Guc. RecopyrigJif, November, 1890. C /4, I lU' P6 505> OUR LOVKLY BANNER. Ne'er waved beneatli ihe golden sun A lovelier banner for the brave Than that our bleeding fathers won, And proudly to their children gave ; Nor earth a fairer gem can bring, Or freedom claim a l)righter scroll, Than that to which our free hearts cling — The flag which lights the freeman's soul. Wijs (S) oiwenir Is ?j/os/ rcspccifiiUy dcdicalrd to all who lovr Our Couuiry^s Flag^ and are i)i sy))ipathy ivitli the institutions which it represents. THE AUTHOR. (Contents. I'lii/e. IntrodncI 1(111, ........ / /iVr. Cliarlis W. Ai/Hikj. Preface, ......... J Hrr. (^roiyi W. (hi(. A<-k)iOll'J('<}(/iiir)if, ....... 7 liif. (iconic W. due. The Illslori/ of Our Country's Flag, ... /o Rev. Addis Albro, LL. JJ.. 1). D. Birtlij)l■> Th( Slurs iiiid Slrijirs of Old, .... ■">■' ('. .hvj. Raixe the Sfar-Ginnnvd lUuiner, .... -7/; Ailrlaklf, George Beiinell. The Fori Mclhnrij Flay ExhibiUd In isni, . . o7 Hail Our Fhuj, oS Uarry C. Burns. FliKj of Oar Union. Forever, ''^^ George P. Morrh. There are Tivo Things Holy, 00 Victor Hugo. Columbia's Flay, 01 William l)ins-)noic. Unfurl the Glorious Banner, 63 Anonymous. Xll Pftfie. The Xational Ensupi, ...... G.'^ Itnbert C. Winlhrop. The Stn'pcx n(s. The First Cnltcd States Flag Around fhr ]\'(rrld, . 79 Onr Flag in the South, ...... SO ('. C. liatitor. Lieutenatd-General Winfidd Srotl and tlie United States Flag, . . ' S7 Mil Unr I'liuj (if L/Ik rhj, ( 'dloiii I S. I), h'ii'liiiiilsini. I'ai/e. s > TIk First United StJ IS))!, . If. E. T. Our Country's Flay on (iod's Sacred Altars, . J. Jr. Ihuptr. Proudly in Glory Floatiny O'er Is, J. E. Tttnrp. Conference Iicsolntion Regardiny Our Connlry's Flay, Our Flag and the Cross, ...... Colonel Ihphuin. The Flag O'er Our School-][ouse is Floating, J. C. O. linlingnm. Our Flag in the School -Room, . . . . lion. Andrciv S. Dniinr. S.J sn 87 sn !fO in us XIV Pnge. Our Gloriuui^ Ensign, ...... 09 Anonymous. The Flay Over Our CJmrchr.^, .... JOO Tier. E. A. Andnmit. The Star.s and Stripes, . . . . . . I" I Aiioiii/)n()n.<. Stand by the Flay, J 03 J. ('. o. n,,ii„iiu>,i. Our Star-Spanyled Emhhin, ..... KJ.^ J. ('. (). Hfdiiighni. Our Flay and the U)iiiir Schonl.s, J. ('. (). licdimjtoit. The Fill;/ of the ( 'oiishlhit/oii , '/'. HllclliliKIII liiill. The A nicrieii n FIdij in Xaxli rilh , Ten iirtli. Wroj) Me in the FIng, Comrndc Chnijluin E. 1)( unison. Lrl Is Ihirr Feoer. .... (irmi-dl U. A. A 1(1(1-. llie FUig'.s Come Back to Tennexxec, No Desecration of " O/r/ dlori/,'' Our Banner of Glorij, .... 11, i A Lovely Banner, J. C. O. Rcdin(jln)i. AnoniimoH.-i. The National Flag, Hon. Charles Sumner. Colors that Will not Bun, II.: in; //; //.'/ I ,'() I j: I-", I .'.: U7 US 130 131 J3J XVI Our Couiitri/'s Fin;/ in the Whiff Jfonsc, . ]JJ Flag of Glorij, ....... J-U ./. I). Phi II.''. My Fatlicr's Fla.^ jiiiii(.-< ir. Tiiiiiih . James A. Garfield and Onr Flag, .... l.'i-! Oar Glorious Flag, ...... JH Hon. Echrard J. Pn.tli>n. Flag if My Country, ii^ Wniinni l^nr.'oni.'i Luiit. Jhdication of a Fnitid States Flay Sent by Liidi(s of New York to the Seventh Regiment, F'^T .Innninnnn.^. XVll I 'a ye. (hir FUtij is Tlurr, j/^fj A N((i-(tl OlYu-rr. Tin FJ(iii (Jtillii-. A Lr. Ikii-liiird Kihiarils. Our F !(((/, (hir Fridr, ...... /.7.7 J. ('. ( >. UkIIiiijIoii. TIk Fldfl of Sii inter (1)1(1 Final I nioii, . . . I'lfi . I iKIIIipnilKS. A Fldij of 1770 (it tin ( 'rnfrnn idl, 1S7G, I~/7 Tin I fall oar, I Fhuj, h'>S Pynfcasor J. llinmiil Wcrl. Iharc Words, /W CoJotxt Jitnits Mvttiii. The Flu (J Wit}, Forty-Two Stars, . . . . 101 J. C. O. Red'nujion. Extract from lion. Edward Eventfs Ehxjinid Speech at a Flag-Raising in Boston, 1861, . . 102 Flag of Yankee Doodle, . . . . . . 10^ Aiionyntnu.''. Saved by Singing the Star-Spangled Banner, . . 105 Tlie Banner of the Union, 100 Kate Brmrnlee Sheiicood. XVlll /V((/c. Ihilidiis llmiitri iKj ( hi r Fl/ the Fhujs t„ Their Stdtex, . lOG Alfred n. ^Ireet. Our Bdiiner on the Soldier s Bier, .... 107 Onr Fldij and the Soldier's Orare, .... 199 Anotu/iuinis. ]Vrdl>f in Onr Fid;/, 200 AinniiiiuoKs. Introduction When we read a book il is desirable to have some knowledge of its author, and as my life-long friend, the Rev. George W. Gue, is about to present to the public a beautiful and patriotic work, entitled "Our Country's Fi.ag," it affords me great pleasure to have the privilege of introducing him to those who may read it and yet have never formed his acquaintance. I presume no man living has known him as long and inti- mately as myself, and I am therefore qualified to speak. We were school-boys together, and for a number of years have been closely identified in the ministry. He is a genial soul, has ever been earnest and enthusiastic, and the friends of his earlier life are not surprised that he is extensively and favorably known as a Methodist minister. He was born February 27th, 1840, in Neville, Clermont County, Ohio, thirty miles above Cincinnati, on the banks of the Ohio river. When ten years of age the family moved to Princeville, Peoria County, Illinois, where soon after his father, John W. Gue, died, leaving a wife, a daughter, and two sons, George being the oldest. The mother, Mrs. J. T. Gue, a very intelligent, religious, and capable woman, carried on the mercantile business left by her husband for a number of years, making a comfortable support for the family and educating her children. After receiving an academical education, at the age of nine- teen years he was admitted into the ministry of the Metho- dist Episcopal cliurch, becoming a member of the Peoria (now the Central Illinois) Conference, and was the youngest member ever received into that body. In the central part of the State of Illinois he has spent the most of his life, faithfully laboring in the ministry, filling some of the most prominent pulpits in his conference with ability and marked success, being recognized by his brethren as a church- builder and successful financier. In 1862, when the war-spirit was dominant in the land, extending to every loyal home, until cit)^ village, and hamlet were thrilled with holy patriotic excitement, he enlisted as a private soldier, but in a short time was promoted to the Chaplaincy of the loSth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, and for three j-ears in that capacitj- did good and faithful service. He was twent)'-two years of age when commissioned, being the youngest Chaplain ever mustered into the United States Army, and was highlj' respected among the officers and men with whom he served. Hon. John Warner, late Mayor of the city of Peoria, Illinois, and the first Colonel of the loStli Regiment, wrote of him, saying : " Chaplain Gue Was with his regiment on ever}- march and in every battle, always at his post, bearing away the wounded and helping to cover up the dead. He was loved by every man in the regiment, who would have fought and died for him at au}^ time." Mr. Gue remained the Chaplain of that regiment for three years, and at the close of the war returned with a small fragment of what was once a splendid organization. They returned to Peoria, August, 1865, the same city where three years before they were mustered into the United States service. For years Mr. Gue has been an active Grand Army man, serving the most of the time as Post Chaplain, and during the 3 year iHScj he was Chaplain of the Departinent of Illinois of the G. A. R., and for years has been familiarly known as Chaplain Gue. He has ever been a staunch friend of the Uni(jn and ])assion- ately fond of the Fi,.\c, — never liap])ier than when .preac-hinj; beneath its folds. This is one of his familiar sayings : " To me nothinj;- is above the Stars and .Strijjes save the Cross of Jesus Christ." With a fervor characteristic of the man, lie has taken a deep and active interest in ]dacing our C(ninlr\'s Ma.i; upon school- houses and churches as far as his influence could aid in this direction. To him for years the flag has been a special theme, ever delighting to speak of it in his .sermons and addresses to secular and vSunduN-vScliools ; ])ut in his orations on special occasions he appears to the best advantage upon this theme. With a soul all aglow with patriotic fire, holding up the flag, portraying its beauties, and proclaiming its meaning, he has exhibited a wonderful power over his audiences in awakening in their hearts a love for the old flag. For several years it has been known to a few of his friends that he has been gathering materials, consisting of poems, etc., on the American flag, with the thought of at some time placing them in book form. This has met the approval of many interested in him, wdio have urged the publication of the work, and this he has finally done. It was a task requiring a vast amount of time and work, and involving a large expenditure of money, but it is just such a volume as is needed at the present time, and the publication of it cannot fail to do good. Hoping this effort will be crowned with success, I am always his friend, REV. C. W. AVUNG, Pastor M. E. Church, Henry, Illinois. MerT\ber of Central Illinois Conference. pREFHCE. The flag of the United States of America — the wStars and Stripes — is a banner dearly loved by many millions of freemen. It is truly the emblem of the free and the brave. For more than a century it has waved triumphantly on every high sea and been hailed by lovers of true liberty in every land. It is beautiful in painting, hanging in the drawing-room ; beautiful when engraven by the sculptor on the granite rock, but far more beautiful when waving aloft from flag-staff" or mast- head as the emblem of American liberty. It is glorious in the memories that cluster about it ; glorious in the inspirations it awakens ; glorious in its power to call the nation to arms to defend it from its foes ; glorious on land and sea, where our proud victories have been won. Dear old flag, emblem of freedom ! Oppressions die where it waves, and wrong can never triumph beneath its foldsJ A million oif men, out of the purest principles of patriotism, have surrendered everything dear to them and laid down their lives to maintain the honor of ' ' Our Flag ' ' and preserve the institutions it represents. Shall we of this generation, who enjoy protection under its folds, fail to appreciate what it means and what it cost ? The United States of America has but one flag — " Thk Stars and Stripes " — and there is no room in our republic for any other. It is the only one that should ever be carried in processions on our streets or wave over the homes and public buildings of our nation. In every school-room and over every pulpit this flag should be unfurled as an emblem of our Christian civilization and a lesson of patriotic devotion to all the institu- tions of this great American republic. To this end this souvenir is sent out on its mission among the people, believing that no more suitable or profitable present could be given bj' parents to children or friend to friend. Its very presence in the home will be a lesson of loyalt>'. The design of this book is not intended to extol the soldier, but the flag. Care has been taken to keep the thought of the flag constantly in view in every selection. It is high-toned in every respect ; and while designed to cultivate loyalty to our country and patriotic devotion to her institutions, it is entirely free from political, sectional, and .sectarian prejudice. This book comprises all the best poems on the American flag, both old and new, with extracts from speeches, also many mottoes and saj'ings. The engravings are all original, and of the finest workmanship. While Solomon's wt)rds are ni this day literally true, "of making many books there is no end," still there is room and need for just such a publication as this. Yours truly, GEORGE W. GUE. PICKNOWLElDGMENT. The poems and other selections useil in lliis j)ublication have been gathered from many sonrces, and the most of them were covered by copyright. It has taken a great deal of time and pains to find the authors and publishers, and obtain their per- mission to use the articles presented in this book. In the index the names of the authors, as far as it was possible to obtain them, have been given. I now take this opportunity of recognizing the publishers who have kindly permitted me to select and use such pieces from their publications as have suited my fancy. I am especially indebted to Comrade J. C. O. Redington. of Syracuse, New York, who kindly furnished me about twenty of the most valuable poems in this collection, and many of them are his own production. He also rendered other service that I now take pleasure in this public manner of recognizing. He is the publisher of the Acme Haversack, a monthly pub- lication of songs and patriotic eloquence. I also wish to mention the publishing-house of S. Hrainard's Sons, Chicago, Illinois, who gave me permis.sion to use the following poems, on which they hold the copyright: "The Soldier's Pride," "Stand Up for the Flag," "The Stars and Stripes of Old," "Wrap the Flag Around Me. Boys," and "Our Flag and the Union Forever." They are the publishers of an excellent book, entitled "Our War Songs, North and South," also jobbers and importers of American and foreign music. The elegant poem, " Flag of Our Country," is from the Cyclopaedia of British and American Poets, and is inserted by permission of the publishers, Harper Brothers, New York. With the consent of the Excelsior Publishing Company, 29 and 31 Beekman street. New York, I have taken from Burdett's Recitations and Readings two prose selections, one, ' ' The Stars and Stripes," the author of which is unknown, and the other, by Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. entitled the "American Flag." "The Stripes and Stars," by Edna Dean Proctor, is from a beautiful book of poems, called " Bugle Echoes," by D. F. Browne, who most cheerfulh' granted the privilege of reprint- ing it here. " The History of Our Country's Flag " was written especially for this book, by Rev. Addis Albro, D. D., of Utica, New York, who deserves great credit for the time and pains he has taken in gathering the facts, and carefully writing this concise history of the United States Flag. "Our Country's Flag" was compo.sed for this work by Rev. D. A. Perrin, M. A., of p-lanigan, Illinois, who is the author of .several fine poems, and has published a souvenir entitled "Faith at the Cross." "Our Honored Flag" and " Our Country's Flag on God's Sacred Altar " were written for this book, by request, by Mr. James W. Temple, of Victoria, Illinois. "Our National Banner," written by William Dexter Smith, Jr., is from the " Patriotic Reader," a splendid work on patriot- ism, compiled by General Henry B. Carrington — a book that should be in all our schools. The poem is printed in this col- lection by permission of the author. Professor J. Howard Wert, a poet of rec(jgnized ability, is the author of "Our Hallowed Flag," which is u.sed in this work by his permission. "Hurrah for the Flag," a part of which is here inserted, was composed by Miss M. II. Ilowlistou, and is used by permis- sion of the publishers, A. S. Harnes & Co. When this book was ready for the press, and only waiting for a couple of the last engravings, I noticed, in reading the supplement to the " Encyclopaedia Britannica," a reference to a publication entitled "The Flag of the United States and other National Flags," by George Henry Preble, of the United States Navy. I ordered the work, and found a number of extracts from speeches and sayings of representative men regarding the flag ; these I have used in part, including a few verses suitable for this publication. VV^ith each quotation proper credit has been given. I am also glad that I can publish in this book a couple of excellent poems by Rev. John Hogarth Lozier, of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, who was Chaplain of the 37th Regiment Indiana Infantry and Chaplain-in-Chief of the First National Encampment G. A. R., 1866. The poems he has given are, "Our Flag is Still Advancing" and "My Father's Flag and Mine," the song of the sons and daughters of veterans. By a number of other persons, whose names I cannot give, I have been a.ssisted in many ways in compiling this book, and I feel exceedingly grateful to all for the aid and encourage- ment thus given. GEORGE W. GUE. Rock Island, Illinois. lO THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY'S FI^AG. KKV. ADDIS ALHRO, LL. B., D. D. In the whole universe of matter and mind, revelation is fundamental to existence. All nature is eloquent in the out- ward manifestation of internal character. It is instinctive of nature to unfold in varied order and beauty the marvelous harmonies with which it is endowed. In fact, nature itself is a sublime manifestation of the creative mind, and is every- where symbolic of omnific power, wisdom, and goodness. Man, who is exponential of his Creator, is vocal with this spirit of revelation. His character, invisible like that of his Maker, must be revealed. All of his actions tend in this direction. His most important means of communication is by words, which are signs of ideas inwardly conceived. In the state where man is viewed as a member of society this same spirit obtains. The national life must be revealed. Underlying the nation are principles involved in its foundation, development, and preservation. These are sacred to the nation, and are expres.sed in its songs, embodied in its history, memorialized in its monuments, and inscribed upon its banners. As expressive of principles vital to its existence, every order, society, or institution has its symbol. No age or nation has existed without its appropriate insignia. By an emblem the adherents of a party, faith, or union may express principles which might require volumes to make clear. Such an emblem is the cross, which symbolizes the entire Christian system. From time immemorial the flag, in some of its varied and numerous forms, has been prominent as an insignia. At the present time it is the ensign of most, if not all, of the nations of the earth. II The history of the American Flag is intensely interesting, and should he carefully studied. ICarly in their history the colonists used the royal ensign of England, which they variously modified as to form, color, and figure. At one time a special flag was established for New England, and consisted of a white field with a cro.ss of St. George. In the center of this flag was in.scribed "J. R." — Jacobus Rex — surmounted by a crown. In the beginning of the revolution a variety of flags was displayed, many of which l)i)re some patriotic motto, such as "Liberty," "Liberty and Union," etc. In some instances these mottoes were defiant of the English govenuuent. After the battle of Lexington the troops of Connecticut displayed a flag on which was the arms of the colony, with the legend, " (Jui transtulil sustinet." After the battle of Bunker Hill a flag was unfurled containing on the obv'erse side the motto of Connecticut, and, on the reverse side the words, ''An Appeal to Heaveny Among the various flags borne by military companies during the revo- lution, the rattlesnake flag was, perhaps, among the most notable. It was displayed in at least two designs. In one form the snake had thirteen rattles, and under it was the injunction, " Dont Tread on Me.'' In the other, the snake was in thirteen pieces, and below it was the legend, '"Join or Die^ In 1775 a committee appointed by Congress a.ssembled at Cambridge to consider the subject of a flag for the colonies. They recommended the retention of the Union Jack, " repre- .senting the yet recognized .sovereignty of England," and united with it thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, "emblematic of the union of the thirteen colonies against its tyranny and oppression." On January 2d, 1776, Washington hoisted this flag over the camp at Cambridge, and it was .saluted with thirteen guns and thirteen cheers. The first flag, however, that bore thirteen stripes, as symbolic of the thirteen colonies, 12 was invented by Abrani Markoe, of Philadelphia, in the summer of 1775, and may have influenced the conmiittee in the arrangement of the flag of 1775. In June, 1777, a committee appointed by Congress to confer with General Washington concerning a design for a national flag reported the result of its work to Congress, which passed, without debate, on June 14th, the following: "Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white ; that the union be thirteen stars (white) in a blue field, representing a new constellation." This is the first and only record of the establishment of a national flag for the United vStates of America. The idea of the flag is thus given : "The red tells of the blood shed by our forefathers for their country ; the blue, of the heavens and their protection ; and the stars represent a new constellation of states." The blue of the field represents steadfastness, faith, and love ; the red denotes courage, daring, and defiance ; and the white is symbolic of integrity and purity. The flag, on the whole, was a blending of the desirable features of the various flags previously displayed by the colonists. The first flag of this pattern was made by Mrs. John Ross, 239 Arch street, Phila- delphia. The residence occupied by Mrs. Ross, in which the first flag was made, still stands (1890) in Philadelphia, an object of interest to all. After the recognition of the independence of the United States of America by Great Britain, the stars and stripes became recognized throughout the world as the symbol of a new nation. It was first displayed in England by the American painter, Copley, on December 5th, 1782. It was first hoisted in a British port at Downs, on February 3d, 17S3, by the ship Bedford. Robert Gray, in 1788-90, first carried the American flag around the world. 13 It is related that " the first military incident connected with the stars and stripes lielongs to iMjrt Stanwix, afterwards known as Fort Schuyler, and now the site of the city of Rome, New York, and occurred August 3d, 177.S. When the enemy appeared before it the garrison was without a flag, but their patriotism and ingenuity scjou supplied one. Sheets were cut up to form the white stripes, bits - in defending it." 25 By permission, from "Patriotic RGai-ler."] OUR NATIONAL BANNER. O'er the high and o'er the lowly Floats that banner, bright and holy, In the rays of freedom's sun; In the nation'.s heart embedded. O'er our Union, newly wedded. One in all, and all in one. Let that banner wave forever. May its lustrous stars fade never. Till the stars shall pale on high. While there's right the wrong defeating, While there's hope in true hearts beating, Truth and freedom shall not die. As it floated long before us, Be it ever floating o'er us. O'er our land from shore to shore. There are freemen yet to wave it, Millions who would die to save it. Wave it, save it, evermore. William Dexter Smith. 26 THE NUMBER AND ORDER OF STARS IN OUR COUNTRY'S FEAG. By the order of Secretary Proctor, the union of the National flag in use in the Arm}' and Navy consists, after July 4tli, 1890, of forty-two white stars in six rows of seven stars each, in a blue field. 27 OUR FLAG. The patriot, Wendover of old, Suggested for our starry fold — The standard of the free — Alternate stripes of white and red In a blue field, like that o'er head. To float o'er land and sea. He saw the .soft stars .shining through The radiant realm of azure hue — A hint by nature given To statesmen true, and brave, and wise — And copied from the glowing skies The flag he saw in heaven. Our fathers looked to heaven on high. And transcribed from the starlit sky The beautiful design ; The blue, sprinkled with points of light, To. lead us in the path aright. Where lamps immortal shine. The flag that waves from spire and mast, Though baptized in the battle blast, May fly without surcease, A light upon the land and sea, A promise and a prophecy Of centuries of peace. Anonymous. 28 By permission, from " Excelsior Reader."] FREEDOM'vS FLAG. Our flag means, then, all that our fathers meant in the Revolutionary war. It means all that the Declaration of In- dependence meant ; it means all that the Constitution of our people — organization for justice, for liberty, and for happiness — meant. Our flag carries American ideas, American history, and American feelings. Every color means liberty ; every thread means liberty ; every form of star and beam or stripe of light means liberty — not lawlessness, not license, but organ- ized constitutional liberty. Liberty through law, and laws for liberty. Accept it, then, in all its fullness of meaning. It is not a painted rag. It is a whole National history. It is the Constitution. It is the government. It is the free people that stand on the government, on the Constitution. Forget not what it means ; and for the sake of its ideas be true to your country' 's flag. Henry Ward Beecher. ■'rvp^- 29 THE AMICRICAN FLAO. When Frccdoni, from her inouiilaiii height, Unfurled her standard to the air, vShe tore the a/Aire robe of night, And set the stars of glory there. She mingled with its gorgeous dyes The milky baldric of the skies, And striped its pure, celestial white With streakings of the morning light ; Then, from his mansion in the sun, She called her eagle-bearer down, And gave into his mighty hand The symbol of her chosen land. Majestic monarch of the clouds ! Who rear' St aloft thy ^agle form To hear the tempest trumpings loud, And see the lightning lances driven. When strive the warriors of the storm, And rolls the thunder-drum of heaven 1 Child of the Sun, to thee 'tis given To guard the Ijanner of the free !^ To hover in the sulphur smoke. To ward away the battle stroke. And bid its blendings shine afar, Like rainbows on the cloud of war, The harbinger of victory. Flag of the brave ! thy folds shall fly, The sign of hope and triumph high ; When speaks the signal trumpet tone. And the long line comes gleaming on. E're yet the life-blood, warm and wet. 30 Has dimmed the glistening baj'onet, Kach soldier's eye shall proudly turn To where thy sky-born glories burn ; And, as his springing steps advance, Catch war and vengeance from the glance ; And when the cannon-mouthings loud Heave in wild wreaths the battle-shroud, And gory sabres rise and fall, Like shoots of flame on midnight's pall — Then shall thy meteor-glances glow. And cowering foes shall shrink beneath Each gallant arm that strikes below That lovel}' messenger of death. Flag of the seas ! on ocean's wave Thy stars shall glitter o'er the brave ; When death, careering on the gale, Sweeps darkl)' round the bellied sail, And frighted waves rush wildh- back, Before the broadside's reeling track, Each dying wanderer of the sea Shall look at once to heaven and thee, And smile to see thy splendors fly In triumph o'er his closing eye. Flag of the free heart's hope and home ! Bj' angel hands to valor given ; Thy stars have lit the welkin dome, And all thy hues were born in heaven. Forever float that standard sheet ! Where breathes the foe but falls before us. With Freedom's soil beneath our feet, And Freedom's banner streaming o'er us. Joseph Rodman Drake. 31 Fronri " Hildreth's History of the United States."] OUR COUNTRY'S FLAG — WHEN ADOPTED BY CONGRESS. The United States Flag, with its original thirteen stars and stripes, was adopted by Congress June 14th, \~"- 32 Frorri ' Jt\e Klag of tlie United States," by Preble.] FIFTEEN STRIPES AND FIFTI':ivN STARS. The bill to change the United States flag from its original design of thirteen stripes and thirteen stars was approved by the Congress of the United States January 13th, 1794, and reads as follows: "Be it enacted, etc.. That from and after the first day of May, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, the flag of the United States be fifteen stripes, alternate red and white ; that the union be fifteen stars (white) in a blue field." For twenty-three years the flag of the United States carried fifteen stripes and fifteen stars. But Congress, on April 14th, 1818, passed an act to estal)lish the flag of the United States: "Section i. Be it enacted, etc., That from and after the fourth day of July next the flag of the United States be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white ; that the union have twenty stars (white) in a blue field. "Sec. 2. And be it further enacted. That on the admis- sion of every new State into the Union one star be added to the union of the flag ; and that such addition shall take effect on the fourth day of July next succeeding such admission." 33 Copyrighted by tlie S. Brainard's Sons Co., nnd used by pcrmis'Jon.) THI-: vSULDIKR'S PRIDIv All hail to thee, thou grand old flag, Still floating o'er the free. Now soiled and torn b}' ruthless hands, Thou'rt doubl}' dear to me. When in my boyhood's early years I saw thee first unfurled, I deemed thee then the pride of earth. The glory of the world. And when in later years I stood In busy haunts of men. And saw thee float o'er field and flood, Old flag, I loved thee then ! But now, when in thy glorious light No slave can cringe or bow. My father's and my country's flag, I love thee better now. I'll bear thee up, thou dear old flag, Of origin divine. Until upon thy azure fold A hundred stars shall shine. Float on, old flag, until thy stripes Shall all the nations heal, iVnd tyrants over all the earth Shall thy just vengeance feel. R. Tom 1- KINS. 34 WHAT THE FLAG MEANS TO COMRADEvS. Comrades, this flag has a meaning to us that it does not have to others ; to them it is only an ensign of their country ; to us it means all that is precious in our country's liberty — our homes, our lives, and all the blessings that will occur to the generations to come. John F. Chase. 35 vSWING OUT Tin- I'LAC; ! Swing out the flag, the lirave okl flag, Our grandest, best, and dearest Symbol of light, freedom, and right. Whose stars shine out the clearest. Swing out tlie flag, our brave old flag. The flag of song and stor}-, Through darkest night a beacon light. That led us on to glory. Through battle's smoke the dawn awoke, The tyrant's chain was l^roken, The country free, and liberty Rang through the land outspoken. The world amazed upon it. gazed, When on the breeze it floated, Unfurled from light to dawning bright, By freedom's .sons devoted. When ruin wrought and rebels .sought To blight its fame and story, And quench the fires of patriot sires, Of freedom and of glory — Then .swept a thrill from hill to hill Of wrath and indignation. From vale to crag, to save the flag From shame and degradation. 36 Men rushed to arms from town and farms, And even rebels trembled, When freedom's hosts, our pride and boast, Beneath its stars assembled. What could withstand that noble band, As brave as heaven is glorious, Baptized in blood, they stemmed the flood. And bore it on victorious. Then cheer the flag, the dear old flag. With fame its folds are laden, With loud hurrahs and wild huzzahs, Each youth and gentle maiden ! Yes, cheer the flag, our dear old flag, That flag that failed us never ; From sea to sea, for liberty, Ma}- it wave on forever ! J. W. KiNVON. 37 From "Excelsior Reader," by permission] HENRY WARD BICICCIIICR OX Till-: AMERICAN FLAG. A thouglitful niiiul, when it sees a nation's (lag, sees not the flag only, but the nation itself; and whatever may be its symbols — its insignia — he reads chiefly in the flag the government, the principles, the truth, the history which belongs to the nation that sets it forth. When the French tri-color rolls out on the wind, we see France. When the new-found Italian flag is unfurled, we see resurrected Italy. When the other three-cornered Hungarian flag shall be lifted to the wind, we shall .see in it the long- buried but never dead principles of Hungarian liberty. When the united cros.ses of St. Andrew and St. George on a fiery ground set forth the baiuier of Old luigland, we see not the cloth merely, there rises up before the mind the noble aspect of that monarchy, which, more than any other on the globe, has advanced its banner for liberty, law, and national pro.sperity. Our nation has a banner, too ; and wherever it streamed abroad men saw day-break bursting on their eyes, for the American flag has been the symbol of liberty, and men rejoiced in it. Not another flag on the globe had such an errand or went forth upon the sea carrying everywhere, the world around, such hope for the captive and such glorious tidings. The stars upon it were to the pining nations like the morning stars of God, and the stripes upon it were beams of morning light. As at early dawn the stars stand first, and then it grows light, and then, as the sun advances, that light breaks into banks of streaming lines of color, the glowing red and intense white striving together and ribbing the horizon with bars effulgent, so, on the American flag, stars and beams of 3^ many-colored light shine out together. And wherever the flag comes, and men behold it, they see in its sacred emblazonry no rampant lion and fierce eagle, but only light, and every fold significant of liberty. The history of this banner is all on one side. Under it r>)de Washington and his armies ; before it Burgoyne laid down his arms. It waved on the high lands at West Point ; it floated over old Fort Montgomery. When Arnold would have sur- rendered these valuable fortresses and precious legacies his night was turned into day, and his treachery was drix-en away by the beams of light from this starry banner. It cheered our army driven from New York in their solitary- pilgrimage through New Jersey. It streamed in light over Valley Forge and Morristown. It cros.sed the waters rolling with ice at Trenton ; and when its stars gleamed in the cold morning with victory, a new day of hope dawned on the despondency of the nation. And when at length the long years of war were drawing to a close, underneath the folds of this immortal banner sat Washington while Yorktown surrendered its hosts, and our revolutionary struggles ended with victory. Let us, then, twine each thread of the glorious tissue of our country's flag about our heart-strings ; and looking upon our homes, and catching the spirit that breathes upon us from the battle-field of our fathers, let us resolve, come weal or jwoe, we will, in life and in death, now and forever, stand by the Stars and Stripes. They have been unfurled from the snows of Canada to the plains of New Orleans ; in the halls of the Montezumas and amid the solitude of every sea ; and everywhere, as the luminous symbol of restless and beneficent power, they have lead the brave to victory and to glory. They have floated over our cradles ; let it be f)ur prayer and our struggle that they shall float over our jjraves. 39 By pernr\issiori, from " Acme Haversack."] GOD BLESS OUR FLAG. God bless our glorious flag ! From vale to mouutaiu crag It floats in peace. Proud banner of the free, Ever triumphantly. May earth expectant see Thy power increase. J. C. O. Redington. 40 CoDuiicihted bu S. Brainard's Soqs Co., and used bu permission.] vSTAND UP FOR THE FLAG. Stand up for the flag of your country, Our banner in peace and in war, Determined, tlio' rebels assail it, To cherish each stripe and each star ; As proudl}- to-day in its beauty It gives its bright folds to the sun As when our forefathers baptized it. An emblem of victory won. Stand up for the flag, let it never Be said of the brave and the free. That riches and station and favor Its paltry usurper could be. The red, white, and blue, how we love it, And guard it we will to the last — Tho' rebels may stain and deface it, 'Tis ours, for 'tis nailed to the mast. Stand up for the flag of our country. Let liberty still be your cry. Resolve in the strength of your fathers To place that banner on high ; The nations to come will behold it, Still floating o'er land and o'er .sea. This ])ledge of a people united. The beautiful flag of the free. Mrs. M. S. Kiddkk. 41 FroiTi the " Eriucatiorial and Epworth League Record."] THK FI.AG OF THE UNITKD STATICS. The American flag .seem.s to hold a])ove tlie nations the imperial aegis of a people's power. Tlie flag is one of the forms of insignia by which onr countrj- sliows forth and main- tains its individuality ; and its predominating u.se should and will powerfully appeal to the ])atriotism of all those who see in it the symbol, not only of their country's power, but its claims upon themselves. This influence reached its acme in the late war, when, like a rainbow in the cloud of battle, that flag, with its sign of hope and triumph, cheered the warriors amid the storm of leaden rain, and inspired them to the achieve- ment of most brilliant victories. To defend that flag was to them something more than a duty ; it was a joy, a coveted privilege akin to that which nerves the arm and directs the blow in defen.se of wife or child. Wherever that insignia floats, on the sea or on the land, it is to them the very Shekinah of their political love and faith. Among those who lived in the stirring times of the civil war the reading of Sheridan's ride excites the highest enthusiasm, and the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner always arouses the purest patriotism. But now another generation has come on the stage. They can have no conception of what the flag has been to their parents ; by them it is most often seen in processions of political parties, whose orators denounce their brothers as traitors. Upon the children of to-day must rest the burdens of to-morrow, and it is the duty of the people to insist that the full significance of the flag shall be familiar to them. Then, with the flag as an incentive, let the rising generation be fired with a zealous 42 love for the land of their birth. The setting forth of this principle has been sadl}' neglected ; but there is a remedy, and that remedy- is to be found in the schools of America. The ability to correct and eradicate this growing evil rests with the teachers ; to them is given an opportunity to apply this remedy. To-day we see our beautiful emblem placed in many of the schools and colleges of our land. If instructors do their duty there is no reason why we should not have in the rising generation an embodiment of the highest type of patriotism. Is it not necessary, also, that the people in general show more interest and solicitude in this matter ? Place the flag in the churches of our country, for is not the love of country next to that of God? There, in association with the church, let it remain constantly before the eye ; then our voters will be influenced, through the preaching of the truth in connec- tion with this symbol of purity and valor, to see in a truer and more reverential light the vastness of the responsibility devolving upon them in their duty to the government. When casting their votes the apparition of the church and flag will appear, and they will say: "I am an American, and to be true I must take my stand for the glory of God, the protection of home, and the highest good of my native land." The manner of celebrating our holidays must also be brought back to the original idea, from which it has so degenerated. Then, with the flag waving high over all, let the people feel that this great country is their country ; that they have a personal proprietorship in the lustre of her history, the honor of her name, the inviolability of her constitution and laws, and the magnitude and beneficence of her civil, social, and religious institutions. LizziK T. Gassett. 43 Frorn " Our- Youtli.") THE FLAG'vS lilRTHDAY. The sails were out thai inoniing-, for Iiulepeiidence Day, The air was mad with music, and every mast-head gay With straining flags and pennants that fluttered to be free, And cast a bright reflection upon the sunny sea. Up spoke the lad beside me, with brave, brown eyes aflame : " O, mother! can you tell me the gallant hero's name Who flung the starry banner from ship or fortress wall Full in the face of tyrants, the very first of all?" My bo3% do you remember how many a chnidless night You've watched the vaulted heaven flash, star by star, a-light; The Pole-star's steady beacon, the Pleiad's mild accord. Or fierce Orion gleaming with firey belt and sword ? So the old patriot fathers up to the same far skies Raised in the sleepless midnight their weary, anxious eyes — Fain with the God of nations in silent prayer to speak, Who fights with proud oppressors the battles of the weak. And when in grave assemblage, beneath that storied tower Whose throbbing bell had sounded the nation's natal hour. The careworn Congress gathered, in faith that reached sublime. To hear the march of freedom adown the field of time. "Choose we," they said, "a standard, that, till the sun grow pale. And summer time, and winter, and seed, and harvest fail. Still in the hands of freemen a sacred trust shall be To lead our country's armies to death or victory !" 44 Red, for the price of freedom, l)led from the patriot's heart. White, for his soul and honor, which life nor death could part; Across the virgin liainier the thirteen stripes they drew, And left above, unsullied, a field of heavenly blue. "Now, as the stars above us together show His praise, Who set them in their courses and marked their trackless waj^s, Let thus upon our banner our states united shine. And a new constellation proclaim the hand divine!" This said they in the council — these men of faith and deed — And bade the scribe record it, that friend and foe might read ; The waiting west wind answered, and waves that beat in tune. In seventeen seventy-seven, in the pleasant month of June. Spoke Paul Jones, of the "Ranger" — a gallant captain he — "To-day, my valiant comrades, our good bark puts to sea. This be her boast forever, while keel shall cut the wave. That first she wore these colors — the flag-ship of the brave ! " He sailed adown the harbor, while from his mast-head flew The Stars and Stripes untarnished — the red, and white, and blue! " God smite him," cried the captain, "with all the blasts that blow. Who dares to strike that banner in face of any foe!" On o'er the broad Atlantic he caught the trade-wind fair. And braved the angry Lion within his island lair ; Up the blue Firth of Sol way, on the bright river Dee, Lord Selkirk's proud retainers before him bent the knee. High soared the flag as backward he turned his prow again To meet the host of Britain upon the open main — Where 'mid the roar of battle, the billows' foam and surge, Went down before that banner the standard of St. George ! 45 lyOud rang the shouts of welcome the peojjle raised thai day They saw the gallant cruiser come beating up the hay ; Her conquering colors tattered and rent by shot and gale — Sign of a slorni-tossed Union whose cause should yel prevail I The fathers of the nation slee]) in llieir lionored graves ; The " Ranger's "' dauntless captain no more may sail the waves ; Yet o'er a land of freemen, unvexed by foreign foe, Still floats the flag they lifted a hundred years ago ! O, Thou, whose hand almight)' throughout the ages holds The destiny of nations, guard Thou its sacred folds ! No traitor hand dissever the white and crimson bars ! No shadow of dishonor cloud o'er the silver stars ! The hands that l)ear that standard may never bribe allure ! The lips that swear it fealty with Thine own truth be pure ! So shall it wave, the symbol of love that knows not race, But in each human brother discerns the Father's face ! Mary A. P. vStansburv. 46 CROWN-PRINCE OF GERMANY AND THE UNITED STATES FLAG. At the Ijeginning of the Franco- Prussian War the Crown- Prince of Germany passed through Hamburg, on his way to the field. A young American girl, stopping with her parents at one of the hotels, hung a large American flag from the balcony, and, as the Prince passed by, waved her handkerchief. The Prince looked up, bowed, and ordered each regiment, as it pas.sed by, to salute the Stars and vStripes. 47 I LOVK TIIKI-:. DKAR IJAXNICR. Oh, banner of glory ! Oh, banner of light ! My soul is enraptured at the beautiful sight ; Thou art waving on high, the emblem of the free, I love thee, dear banner, thou art waving for me. I saw thee, thou beauty, 'mid the battle's thick smoke, Thou didst inspire us when the nation awoke ; When the guns of rebellion sounded loud o'er the land. Thy colors, they lead us, and nerved every man. The foes of our nation sought thy glory to mar. By dividing the union of the stripes and the stars ; But our gallant defenders triumphantly saved The flag of our Union, the pride of the brave. And now that the strife of battle has ceased. We hail thee, and bless thee, thou banner of peace ; Thou shalt wave in thy splendor from steeple and dome. The harbinger of peace, proclaiming Our Nation is One ! Rky. Ghorgk W. GiK. 48 FLAG OF THF: NOBLE. Flag of the noble, free, and brav^e, With joy we see it streaming there ; No other flag deserves to wave So high in fields of light and air. It's sanctified by sacrifice, With pride its glowing folds we see ; The prayers of millions daily ri.se, Forever float triumphantly ! WiLLi.vM Freeman. 49 Frorn "Hansel's Musk, K-ii.u-r M... 2," hy pern i | THE BKAUTIFITT. FLA(; oi-' THI- I-RI-IC. Flag of my country, tlic flag of tlie free, Beautiful streamer, now dearer to me ; Peerless and stainless, triumphantly wave Over a nation that knows not a slave. Boast of the sires who bequeathed us a life, Boast of the sons on the red field of strife ; Boast of the serf as he toils o'er the sea, Hope of the world is the flag of the free. Fled are the foes who thy beauty would mar. Gone not one stripe, and effaced not one star ; Broken and humbled they turn unto thee. Sighing for rest 'neath the flag of the free. Victors and vanquished are one as of yore. War's gory hand shall divide them no more ; Once they were brothers, and brothers they'll be. Happy again 'neath the flag of the free. Buried the past, they will toil to adorn Freedom's domain for a nation unborn ; And when the}' fall, this their solace shall be. Over them floats the dear flag of the free. AxoNV.Mors. 50 OUR FLAG ON THE ANDEvS MOUNTAINS. On the Fourth of July, 1873, a party of American engineers, in pioneering the Oroya railroad from Lima across the Andes, raised " our flag " on a summit of the Andes seventeen thou- sand five hundred and seventy-four feet above the sea level, in snow knee-deep. 51 By permission, (rom " Acme HnvGi-jrirl^,"] TIIlv OIJ) I' LAG. Toucli lightly the tatters of red, white, and blue. All tiine-stained and soiled with the blood of the true : And the flag-staff as old as the colors are worn, With the marks of the fingers in which it was borne ! Toucli lightly the tatters, their splendor is bare, All sun-steeped and faded their coloring rare ; But tlio' torn into ribbons, and gone every hue, Our hearts will supply them, the red, white, and blue. Touch lightly the tatters, for freedom bends o'er, And she touches each hue into glory once more ; And she gathers the shreds, and she waves them with might, For union and valor, for God and the right ! Touch lightly the tatters ! she loves every shred. And she holds them aloft over tyranny's head. Where all brave with her smiling, wet with her tears. They shall flutter in triumph undinnned thro' the years. Touch lightly the tatters, they floated that day Each blue-coated soldier went marching away ; And in the gray dawn of the faint morning glow. Pale Liberty's sentinels marched to and fro. Oh proudly they floated, each sun-faded rag. And brave was the soldier who stood by the flag : And dear were the eyes that grew dim as they gazed. Where the emblem of loyalty proudly was raised. 52 Touch lightly the tatters, tliu' listless they lie. There once was a time when the stripes floated high; When the noise of the battle fell .thick on the ear, And Freedom crouched lower, and trembled to hear — When the boom of the cannon was sullen and long. And the harsh voice of war fell discordant and strong, And the bullet hissed home to the heart of the true. And the soldier was dead — for the red, white, and blue I Touch lightly the tatters, the sound of the drums, As we look at their raggedness, fitfully come ; And the marching of footsteps away to the death. And the flashing of swords, and the sharply drawn breath. And after the valorous battle was done, The death-tired faces upturned to the sun ; And we love every tatter, each wind-whistled rag, For the sake of the comrades who died for the flag ! Touch lightly the tatters, the soldier boy lay- All faint on the battle-field, long miles away ; Unkissed by the lips that his dear name were crying ; Unknown to the love that would soften the dying ; And the death angel stalking so near to the place, Came nearer, and bent o'er his strife-tired face. Till he fell fast 'mid the strife, till they found him, And laid him to rest with the flag wrapped around him. Touch lightly the tatters, they never will fade I Too dear was the price for their loveliness paid ; Too many the tears that lay thick where the}' lie, Too many the faces upturned to the sky. And as long as there's loyaltj- under the sun, The flags will wave on for the deeds that were done ; The pride of our nation, forever it stands, For Freedom will hold it in both willing hands. Miss Mixxik G. McArthur. 53 HOW TO CONSTRUCT OIR I-LAO. The United Stales flag has thirteen stripes ar.d one star for every State in the Union. Kach stripe should be half as many inches wide as the flag is feet long. The union (or field) should be one-third the length of the flag and covering seven stripes in width. r.'^^^, '^ ;>,;U^; ^ ' /2^ -V The Stars and Stripes of Old. 55 Copyrighted by S. Bcninai-d's Sons Co., aqd iisnn i,y rjermi'/.ion,.) THE vSTARS AND STRTPTvS OF OIJ). We are a l)and of freemen, who love our native land, To save it from rebellion we come with heart and hand ; We left our homes behind us, when Sumpter's tale was told. To rally round our banner, the stars and stripes of old. The rebel hosts may gather, with savage fur\- fight. But they can never conquer our strength as in our right We follow on triumpliant where, on the breeze unn^lk-d. Waves high our glorious bainier, the stars and stripes of old. They mocked our peaceful labor, they scorn our patient toil. But on their vain pretensions the blow shall soon recoil. The men they have derided shall o'er their homes unfold The banner they have scouted, the stars and stripes of old. Our fathers fought for freedom, we will preserve their land, Unbroken, undivided, it shall ever stand. Until 'tis reunited we never again will fold, The banner floating o'er us, the stars and stripes of old. C. J.w. 56 By perrqission, from " AcrT\e Haversack.") RAISE THE STAR-GEMMED BANNER. As we raise our country's banner, in the strength of youth are we Bound to cherish what our fathers left us for our legac}'. Oh ! raise the star-genimed banner, 'tis the flag that makes us free. The flag our patriot fathers, dying, gave to liberty. Raise, oh ! raise the flag ! The flag our patriot fathers, dying, gave to liberty. Stars and Stripes ! ever proudly float, that millions yet to be May arise to pay you homage, on the land and on the .sea. Prosperity and happy peace are blessing our dear land, A beacon for oppressed of earth will fair Columbia stand. Raise, oh ! raise the flag ! The flag our patriot fathers, dying, gave to liberty. We now pledge our vows of fealt}', to ever faithfully Guard the precious birthright given in this land of lil)erty. We'll hand it down unsullied in its fame from sire to son, And sleep beneath its shadow when the goal of life is won. Raise, oh ! raise the flag ! The flag our patriot fathers, dying, gave to libert}-. Adi;laidk George Bennett. 57 THE FORT McHENRY FLAG EXHIBITED IX 1876. The centennial anniversarj' of the adoption of the star- spangled l)anner, Jnne 14th, 1S77, was appropriately remem- bered in various parts of the United States. In Boston a patriotic demonstration was held in the Old South Meeting- house. The veritable flag of Fort McHenry. the original of Francis Scott Key's "Star-Spangled Banner," was displayed, and the song was sung by Mrs. Julia Houston West, the audience joining in the chorus. 58 Bu'perrriissiori, frorn "Acme Haversack."] HAIL OUR FLAG ! Now thy beauteous stripes are blazing, and thy stars with lustre glow, And our hearts are filled with rapture none but freemen ever know. How this crown of freedom's triumphs flings its radiance to the breeze, 'Mid the loud huzzas of millions from the oceans to the seas. Hail our flag ! glorious flag ! red, white, and blue ! Noble souls have saved thee, bravest men and true ; Who the grandest victories on earth have won, When they fought in freedom's dauntless ranks, from Grant to Washington. How th}^ glorious folds have floated through fierce storms of shot and shell. Till all torn in shreds and tatters o'er the spot where heroes fell ! Thou hast marched to mighty triumph with the bravest of the brave, Who have nailed aloft thy freedom-stars forever more to wave. Harry C. Burns. 59 By perrriission, from "Acme Haversack."] FLAG OF OUR UNION FORI-:VKR. A song for "Our Banner," tlic watchword recall, Which gave the republic her station — " United we stand, divided we fall!" — It made and preserves us a nation. The union of lakes, the union of hands, The Union of States none can sever ! The union of hearts, the union of hands, And the flag of our ITnion forever and ever. The flag of our Ijnion forever ! What God in His iufniile wisdom designed. And armed watli national thunder, Not all the earth's despots and factions combined Have the power to conquer or sunder. The union of lakes, the union of hands, The Union of States none can sever ! The union of hearts, the union of hands, And the flag of our Union forever and ever, The flag of our Union forever ! Oh, keep that flag flying ! the pride of the van ! To all other nations display it I The ladies for union are all to a — man ! And not to the man who'd betray it. Then the union of lakes, the union of hands, The Union of States none can sever ! The union of hearts, the union of hands. And the flag of the Union forever ! Gkokc.K p. MoKKlS. 6o "There are two things holy — the flag which represents military honor, and the law which represents the national right. " ' Victor Hlgo. 6i Bii permission, Iroin "Acme H ' COMTMHIA'S FLA(;. Of all the flags that proudly float O'er Neptune's gallant tars, Or wave on high in victory Above the sons of Mars, Give us that flag, Columbia's flag. Pure emblem of the free, Whose brilliant stars flashed through our wars, For truth and liberty. Then dip it, lads, in ocean's brine. Greet it with three-times-three ! Columbia's flag shall henceforth shine, The banner of the sea. Beneath its folds we fear no foes, Our hearts shall never quail, With l)Osoms bare the storm we dare, And brave the battle's hail. E'en when our decks with shot were ploughed, Their planks with gore dyed red. Our gallant tars, firm at their posts, Ne'er paused to count their dead. Then dip it, lads, in ocean's brine. Greet it with three-times-three ! The flag that was at Mobile made The banner of the sea. 62 Ivir o'er the sea to every clime Tliis honored flag shall go, Ami through all time its fame sublime With brighter hues shall glow. For Freedom's own that flag is now, Its guardians freedom's sons, And woe betide the insolent On whom they train their guns. Then dip it, lads, in ocean's brine, Greet it with three-times-three ! The flag for which our tars have won Dominion on the sea. Its enemies dispersed shall be Upon the land and main. Its stars so bright mid storm and fight Will never shine in vain. No foreign power nor treason rife Shall shake our courage keen, We'll give our lives in deadly strife To hold that flag supreme. Then dip it, lads, in ocean's brine. Greet it with three-times-three ! At last, thank God I our navy flies The banner of the .sea. [Written while in Mobile Bay by William Dinsmore, boats- wain's mate on the "New Ironsides."] 63 Krom " The Flag of thje United States," by Preble.] UNFURL THE GLORIOUS BANNER. Unfurl the glorious banner, Which at Eutaw shone so bright, And like a dazzling meteor swept Through the Cowpens deadly fight. St)und, sound your lively bugles, Let them pour their loudest blast, While we pledge both life and honor To stand by it to the last. Anonymoi'S. 64 From "The Flag of t\\e United States," by Preble.) THE NATIONAL ENSIGN. The national ensign, pure and simple, dearer to all our hearts at this moment, as we lift it to the gale and see no other sign of hope upon the storm-cloud which rolls and settles above it save that which is reflected from its own radiant hues — dearer, a thousand-fold dearer, to us all than ever it was before while gilded by the sunshine of pros- perity and plaj'ing with the zephyrs of peace. It speaks for itself far more eloquent than I can speak for it. Behold it ! Listen to it ! Every star has a tongue. Ever3' stripe is articu- late. There is no language or speech where their voices are not heard. There's magic in the web of it. It has an answer for ever)' question. It has a solution for every doubt and eveiy perplexity. It has a word of good cheer for every hour of gloom or despondency. Behold it ! Listen to it ! It speaks of earlier and later struggles. It speaks of heroes and patriots among the living and among the dead. But before all, and above all other associates and memories, whether of glorious men, or glorious deeds, or glorious places, its voice is ever of union and liberty, of the constitution and the laws. Behold it ! Listen to it ! Let it tell the story of its birth to these gallant volunteers as they march beneath its folds by day or repose beneath its sentinal stars by night. Let it recall to them the .strange, eventful history of its rise and progress. Let it rehearse to them the wondrous tale of its trials and its triumphs in peace and war. Robert C. Winthkop. October 3d, 1861. 65 ' •' H F- Iv," I, II p,.;r,r,iv.ir>n,l TIIIC STRirivS AND 'VWi: STARS. (), vStar-vSpangled lianiier ! the flag of our i)ti(k-, Though trampled by traitors aud basely defied, Fling out to the glad winds your red, white, and blue, l*\)r the heart of the North land is beating for you ; And her strong arm is nerving to strike with a will Till the foe and his boastings are humbled and still. Here's welcome to wounding, and combat, and scars, And the glory of death for the stripes and the stars. From prairie, O, ploughman ! speed boldly away. There's seed to be .sown in God's furrow to-day ! Row landward, lone fisher, stout woodman, come home. Let smith leave his anvil, and weaver his loom. And hamlet and city ring loud with the cry, "For God and our country we'll fight 'till we die!" Here's welcome to wounding and combat and .scars, And the glory of death for the stripes and the stars. Invincible banner ! the flag of the free, Oh, where treads the foot that would falter for thee ? Or the hands to be folded, till triumph is won. And the eagle looks proud, as of old. to the sun I Give tears for the parting — a murmur of prayer — Then forward ! the fame of our standard to share I With welcome to wounding, and condiat. and .scars. And the glory of death for the stripes and the stars. 5 66 O, God of our fathers I this Ijauiier must shine Where l)attle is hottest, in warfare divine ! The cannon has thundered, tlie bugle has l)lo\vn. We fear not the summons, we fight not alone ! O, lead us, till wide from the gulf to the sea, The land shall be sacred to freedom and thee ! With love for the oppressed, with blessing for scars, One country; one banner — the stripes and the stars. Kdna Dkan Pkcjctor. 67 Bij pfiniry.iijii, (rom "Acme H. STAND I{Y Tin- OIJ) l-l,.\(). As a higli private in Kirk's brisj;a(lc, Mc'Cook's division, x^rniy of the Ohio, I took part in the battle of vShiloh, Monday, April 7th, 1S62. General Ronssean's l)rigade took the advance of our division early in the morning. We formed line in rear of Rousseau as supports, advancing as they did. Just before reaching an open field the enemy appeared to hold their ground with unusual determination. As we moved nearer the line engaged, the enemy gave way for a short distance, and we halted a few moments. Right at my feet lay a Captain, with " L. Iv." — Louisville Legion of Rou.s.seau's brigade — on the lapel of his coat. His entire right forehead seemed to have been shot awa3^ Comrade Baker, who stood beside me, bent down and poured some water into his mouth, when the fallen Captain slowly opened his eyes. As he did so he caught sight of the colors of our regiment, which happened to be almost over him. Without a tremor, in a low voice, he called out: " .Stand by the old flag, boys, stand by the old flag," and immediately became unconscious. In a short time we were engaged with the eneui}' , and those words rang in my ears above the voice of battle. I had resolved to hunt up the brave Captain as soon as the battle was over, but was severely wounded myself and could not dti so; but how often since have those words encouraged me, breathing as they did the unselfish thoughts of a patriot dying on the battle-field. ROBKKT M. Wii^sox. i Gave proof ttirough t^e niglit that our flag was still tfiere. 69 THE vSTAR-SPANGLICD IJANNKR. Oh, sa}^ can you see, by the (huvii's early liKht, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming ? Whose broad stripes and ])right stars, through the perilous fight. O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly shining ; And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air. Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there ; Oh, say, does that star-.spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave ? On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foes haughty host in dread silence reposes. What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully ])lows, half conceals, half discloses ? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam. In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream ; 'Tis the star-spangled banner ; oh, long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave ! And where is the band who so vauntingly swore. 'Mid the havoc of war and the battle's confusion, A home and a country they'd leave us no more ! Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution ; No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the gra\e : And the star-spangled batnier in trium])h doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brax'e. 70 oil, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war's desolation I Blessed with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just, And this be our motto, "In God is our trust," And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. Francis vScott Key. 71 THK AUTHOR OF TIIIv STAR-SPAXOIJv I) liAXXl-.k. Francis Scott Key, the author of "The Slar-Spaii^iled Hanner," was a lawyer by profession, and was born in Frederick county, Maryhmd, August ist, 1779, and died in Kalliniore. January iitli, 1.S43. The song which immortalized his nanu- and became national was inspired Ijy the author witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry, September 13th, 1814. Tlie song was first published in the " Baltimore American," September 2ist, 18 14, a week after the battle, with these prefatory remarks : "This song was composed under the following circum- stances : Mr. F. S. Key left Baltimore in a flag of truce for the purpose of getting released from the British fleet a friend, and was temporarily detained, witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry. He watched the flag at the fort all day with anxiety ; in the night he watched the bomb-shells, and at early dawn his eye was again greeted by the proudly waving flag of our countr3^" It was while pacing the deck of the cartel-ship " Minden," between midnight and dawn, that Key composed his song. The Star-Spangled Banner was first sung in a small one- story frame house, occupied as a tavern, a house where players &nd soldiers congregated. It was caught up in camps, and sung around the l)ivouac fires, whistled in the streets, and when peace was declared, and .soldiers scattered to their homes, it was carried to thousands of firesides as the most precious relic of the war of 18 12. The flag of Fort McHenry, whose broad stripes and bright stars inspired Key's .song, still exists in a tolerable state of preservation. The regulation size of the garrison flags at the present time is thirty-six feet fly and twenty feet hoist. 72 The flag of Fort McHenry, in its present cnrtailecl dimen- sions, is thirtj'-two feet long and twenty-nine feet hoist. Undonbtedly, originally it was fort}' feet long — the shots of the enemy and time have combined to decrease its length. Its great width is due to its having fifteen instead of thirteen stripes, each nearly two feet wide. It had fifteen five-pointed stars, each two feet from point to point, arranged in five indented parallel lines, three stars in each horizontal line. The union rests in the ninth stripe, which is red, instead of the eighth, a white stripe, as in our present flag. All the flags worn by the Navy and Army during the war of 1811-14 were made this way ; in fact they w^ere so arranged from 1794 to 18 18. This flag was exhibited in the naval department of the centennial exhibition, in Philadelphia, and again at the Old South Church, Boston, June 14th, 1S77, the centennial anni- versar)^ of the pa.ssage by the Continental Congress of the act adopting the star-spangled banner as the emblem of the Con- federated States. There is no doubt as to the authenticity of this flag. It was preserved by Colonel Armsted, and bears his name and date of the bombardment. It has always remained in his family, and his widow, in 1861, bequeathed it to their youngest daughter, Mrs. Stuart Appleton, who, soon after the bombard- ment, was born in Fort McHenry under its folds. Mrs. Appleton died July 25th, 1878, and bequeathed the flag to her son, who now holds it. A letter from Mrs. Caroline Purdy, of Baltimore, to Mrs. Appleton, describes the making of this historic flag : "It was made by my mother, and I assisted her. The flag being so very large, my mother was obliged to obtain permission from the proprietor of a brewery to spread it out in their malt-house, and I remember seeing my mother down on the floor placing the stars. The flag, I think, contained four hundred yards, and we w^orked many nights until 12 o'clock to complete it in a given time." 73 By permission, Irorn "Acrne Haversack."] RALLY ROUND TIN' OLD I'LAC; ! Rally round Ihc "Old Mag!" " Haniicr of the free," Radiant with triunii)hs Won for liberty. Kniblem of hope and joy Unto all oppres.sed, Equal rights everywhere, That all may he hle.ssed. In a grand and awful time We all are dwelling ; To l)e living is sublime, When on ages telling — The power of liberty shall grow Till all the earth shall know. Don't forget the vast cost Freedom's flag to save. Or the deeds that made it sure Evermore to wave. Heroes fought in its defense, For it won renown ; Placed it where it proudly floats, Never to go down. Flag of hope to earth's oppressed. Wave on in glory ; Cheering aching. suff"'ring .souls With freedom's story — That bye and l)ye. to everyone, A better day will come. C< )M K API-: R 1:DI NC.TOX . 74 By perrnission, from •'Acrne Haversack.'] FORKVER FLOAT THE OLD FLAG! Wherever Columbia's favored children Uini, In her peace and her prosperity all patriots may learn What free institutions to ev'ry one will give, Who is fortunate ajid favored under freedom's flag to live. Forever float the old flag, the red. white, and l^lue flag ! The saved flag, the proud flag, the triumph-of-the-true flag ! Our hearts ever cherish its valor-gilded field, And bless its defenders, too true to ever yield. The old flag has cost earth's most mighty sacrifice ; From four years of deadly suffering the nation .saw it rise, Baptized in the blood of our noblest and our best ; But 'twas saved ! and now it grandly shields the cau.se their deeds have ble.s.sed. And what they've defended their children will pre.ser\-e ; From our loyalty to flag and country we will never swer\-e. The old flag, the ble.ss'd flag of truth. Ls the flag to which we'll rally ev'ry day from early y(mth. J. C. O. Redixgton. 75 By pernnission, frorn " Acrp.e Haversack.") OUR FLAG OF THIC FR1".1<:. liright haiintr of the free. Still wave from sea to sea, Our Union's pride ! F'lag that our father's bore Amid the cannon's roar By every sea and shore. For thee they died. Anonymous. 76 From "The United States Flag," by Preble.) RALLY ROUND YOUR COUNTRY'S FLAG. Every man must be for the United States or against it. There can be no neutrals in this war — only patriots or traitors. I express it as my conviction before God, that it is the duty of every American citizen to rally round the flag of his country. Stephen A. Douglass, i86i. 11 I3i| iierrriissioii, Irom " Ar,m« H.-Ki'i-,.irl..' | (), banner tlial \vc- loxc, Fair as the heavens above, Fla^ of llie free ! O'er our land ever wave, Land of the true and l)rave, Land where there breathes no skive From sea to sea ! Glowing with crimson dyes, Like sunset's burning skies, O, banner fair ! Handed with snowy white, Pure as the stars at night, With thee, our heart's delight. What can compare ? Each star tipon thy breast Shall there forever rest, Glorious and free ; And all the winds that swell Through every peaceful dell, Where'er they go shall tell Our love for thee. Flag of the brave and free. Emblem of liberty, Banner we love ! Thanks for each radiant fold. And every star of gold, Freed from oppression's hoUI. Give God above. XlXKTTK Vi. LOWATKR. 7ACII's Where altars to our Maker rise, There let His standards ji^reet the skies ; And to heaven's welcoming breezes flinj; The banners of Our Lord, the King I Where Freedom's armies guard the land, Let her proud standard-bearers stand O'er hill and plain, from shore to shore. Float her blest symbols ever more ! God of the vSaints ! land of the free ! Let tliN' fair banners blended be ! And o'er heaven's sacred altars \va\-e The flag that guards the free and brave ! Thus l)lended shall to us be gi\-en The love of home, of God, and heaven I Thus, in our grateful hearts shall rise, Hopes of a home beyond the skies I Thus shall religion's sacred fire The patriot's heart with zeal inspire : Thus shall the patriot's gifts, in turn, On blest religion's altars burn ! And love of God walk hand in hand With love of man and native land I Christ's kingdom then the earth will span. With "peace on earth — good will to man!" J. W. Tkmi'LK. 94 By perrriissiori, from " Acrqe Haversack."] PROUDLY IN GLORY FLOATING O'ER US. We will rally round the flag, boys, we'll rally once again. Proudly in glory floating o'er us ; Always gallantly defend on every battle plain. Proudly in glory floating o'er us. The old flag forever I hurrah ! boys, hurrah 1 We stood by "Old Glory," it hasn't lost a star; We will rally 'round the flag, boys, we'll rally once again, Proudly in glory floating o'er us. 'Twas for it our heroes fought in the woeful war-days past, Proudly in glory floating o'er us ; For it marched in summer's sun, for it stood thro' winter's blast. Proudly in glory floating o'er us. 'Twas a fearful sacrifice that was offered for it then, Proudly in glory floating o'er us ; Of the noblest and the best of Columbia's worthy men, Proudly in glory floating o'er us. And to-day we'll firmly pledge, boys, we" 11 rally round the gift. Proudly in glory floating o'er us : That our deeds be ever faithful humanity to lift, Proudly in glory floating o'er us. J. E. Thokp. 95 CONFERENCE RESOLUTION REGARDINC; OUR COUNTRY'S FLAG. "Resolved, That we, as a conference, do recommend that the American flag be placed in onr churches and vSunday- schools as an emblem of our Christian civilization," Resolution passed by the Central Illinois Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, September 30th, 1S89. 96 OUR FLAG AND THE CROSS. We do not teach our children sufficiently what is due the "Old Flag" — what it stands for. It is to our institutions what the cross is to the Christian religion. Colonel Hepburn. At the Soldiers' Reuriiori, Muscatine, Iowa, October 12th aqd I3tti, 1887. 97 Written for "Our Country's Flag," 1m J. C. O. R.-ni.-t q ) THE FLAG O'ER OUR SCHOOL lloCSIC LS FLOATING. O'er our schooMiouse the "Old Flag" in beauty is floating. Its stars are as white as the purest of snow ; While the blue field they cover, a true peace denoting, And valor-lit stripes with a radiance glow. For that flag means a sacrifice — martyred ones dying And suff 'ring to rescue our " Home of the F'ree " — For the war years were fearful that kept the flag flying, And w^on the prosperity all of us see. In the rooms of our school-house, when wearied eyes raising The grand flag before us doth mightily cheer ; How it rests aching heads, at its synuuetry gazing, To think of the deeds that have made it so dear. In our hearts, too, we carry the bright flag of glory. Its battle-tried grandeur to cherish tlirough life ; Ever true to our country, we'll cherish the story, How heroes have saved it from war's bitter strife. 9S OUR FLAG IX THE SCHOOL-ROOM. If I had my way, I would liang the flag in every school- room, and attempt to impress upon all the supreme value of their inheritance. Hon. Andrew S. Draper, Superintendent of Public Instruction ^or the State of New York, I884. 99 From " Thie History of the Arnerican Flaq," bij Preble. 1 OUR GLORIOUS IvXSIGN. Oh, raise that glorious ensign high, And let the nation see That flag for which our fathers fought To make our couutr}' free ! From every hill, in every vale, Where freemen tread the sod, And from the spires where freemen meet For prayer and praise to God, Unfurl the flag beneath but this. The cross of Calvary. Anonymous. lOO THE FLAG OVER OUR CHURCHES. " Let the flag of our country wave from the spire of every church in the land, with nothing above it save the cross of Christ." Rev. E. a. Axdi':ksox, i86i. lOI Froni "Excelsior Reader," by pernqission.] THK STARS AM) STKll'lvS. Tlicrc is now no nation which is not familiar with the stars and stripes. In the seaports of ancient China our star-spangled ensign is known as "the flower-flag," its brilliant dyes suggest- ing to the fanciful Chinese a ready figure of speech. So the wandering- Americans are sometimes spoken of as the "flower- flag people." To millions of men in other lauds it is an emblem of popular liberty and human rights. (To us it now means more than ever. It means a flag saved from di.shonor, a nation pre- served from disunion. The good Lincoln used to say during the war, that though he saw the flag every day he never regarded it for a moment without emotion. To him it re])resented a republic in danger. vSo, to-day, as it floats in sunny splendor from numberless spires and spars, on land and sea, in pompous folds /or in the tin}- leaflet of the children, we may well regard it fondly as bringing back the wonderful history of a hundred years. It glitters on the proudest frigate as it glittered first on the "Ranger" of Paul Jones. It floats peacefulh* from Maine to Alaska, and from the lakes to the gulf, as it waved amid shot and shell on the fields where the republic was born and our right to a national flag was established. We do well to cherish a sentiment of passionate devotion to the old flag. No star is blotted, no stripe erased. It is the glory of countless homes. And when the wanderer, lonely, friendless. In foreign harbors shall behold That flag unrolled, 'Twill be as a friendly hand Stretched out from his native land. Filling his heart with memories sweet ami endless. Anonymous. ' ■// 3^ V^.'tli^s^; ^ 'Stand by the flag, tl"|e (lag of Freedom's pride! Star\d by the flag your fathers fought to save!' I03 Bg permission, from "Acme Hui.i i ■■ . | STAND BY TIIIC FLAG. Stand ])y the (lui!,, tlie flag of freedom's pride ! vStand by the flag your fathers fought to save ! Stand by the flag for which those heroes died ! vStand In' the flag, that it may forever wave I Stand by the flag, the flag of hope to earth ! Stand by the flag, its stripes with valor glow ! Stand by the flag, bright stars of priceless worth ! Stand by the flag, all lands its victories know ! Stand by the flag, tell freedom's l)rightest story ! Stand by the flag, it proudly floats above ! Stand by the flag, maintain its grandest glory ! Stand by the flag, the dear old flag we love ! J. C. O. Redington. I04 By perrnission, from "Acme Haversack."] OUR STAR-SPANGLED EMBLEM. Our .star-.spangled emblem of valor and glory, The beautiful flag proudly floating above, Forever tell over the gloriou.s grand story Of what the flag means that the loyal all love. J. C. O. Rkdingtox. I05 Copyrighted by thie S. Brainard's Sons Co., and used by peimi/ jr, ] OUR FI.AG AND TIIlv UNION KORIvVKR. We will stand by the Unicju forever, By the flag of the brave and the true, By the glorious star-spangled banner, With its beautiful red, white, and blue-. Oh, its folds to the free air of heaven, By our fathers unfurled long ago, Shall ne'er wave o'er America riven By the hand of a traitorous foe. On the field, o'er the dead and the d}ing. Where the loud din of battle is rife. See our emblem of liberty flying. Oh, its triumph is dearer than life. Let us trust in the might of Jehovah, For the right with His might must prevail, With the flag of the free floating over Our hosts, Oh, we never shall fail. Three-times-three for the Union forever, Three-times-three for the brave and the true, Three-times-three for the star-spangled banner, With its beautiful red, white, and blue. See it waving, waving, waving, 'Tis freedom's emblem rare. See it waving, waving, waving. In glorious triumph there. RKV. J. M.VTI.DCK. io6 TKLL THE GLAD TIDINGS. Wave 'neath the azure, ye banners so bright ! Hymns of devotion and valor recite ! Tell to the world how our heroes have died, Bearing your colors aloft in their pride. Tell it by shore and by murmuring sea ! Tell it where manhood is noble and free ! Your prestige and grandeur no dark shadow mars- Tell the glad tidings, ye stripes and ye stars. Anonymous. I07 By perrrii',sion, fi-oin "A-, in.! Ha/ersack.") BLUSvSINGvS ON OUR HANNIvR. God bless the banner of the free, The flag our fathers gave ; May stars and stripes on land and sea In triumph ever wave ! Columbia's emblem of her might, ' ' Old Glory ' ' floats above ; We'll strike for God and for the right ! Its every fold we love. Forever waving in the skies, Each year with glory new. Maintained by fearful sacrifice Of noble "boys in blue." This land be freedom's dwelling-place Our flag shall ever bear — May liberty to human race O'er earth spread everywhere. The endless years of coming time Shall echo freedom's voice ; The pilgrim here from every clime May in that flag rejoice. The stars and stripes shall ever teach, To all who 'neath it stand, Free soil, free men, free faith, free speech. To all in freedom's land. J. C. O. Redington. io8 FroiTi "Pleasant Hours."] THE MEANING OF OUR FLAG. The flag for whicli our hert)es fouglit, for which they died, is the symbol of all we are. of all we hope to he. It is the emblem of equal rightsTT^It meaus free bauds, free lips, self- goverumeut, aud the^~sOvereignty of the individual. It means that this continent has been dedicated to freedom. It means universal education — light for every mind, knowledge for every child. It means that the school-house is the fortress of liberty. It means that "governments derive their just powers from the governed ; ' ' that e.ich man i» accountable to and for the govern- ment ; that resp jnsibility goes hand in hand with liberty. It means that it i^ the duty of every citizen to bear his share of the public burde : — to take part in the affairs of his town, his county, his state, and his country. It means that the ballot-box is the ark of the covenant ; that the source of authority must not be poisoned. It means the perpetual right of peaceful revo- lution. / It means that every citizen of the republic, native or naturalized, must be protected at home in every state, abroad in every land, on every sea. It means that all distinctions based on birth or blood have perished from our laws ; that our govern- ment shall stand between labor and capital, between the weak and the strong, between the individual and the corporation, between want and wealth, and give and guarantee .simple justice to each and all. It means that there shall be a legal remedy for every wrong. It means national hospitality — that we must welcome to our shores the exiles of the world, and that we may not drive them back. Some may be deformed by labor, dwarfed by hunger, broken in spirit, victims of tyranny and cast — in whose sad faces may be read the touching record of a weary life — and yet their children, born of liberty and love, will be sym- metrical and fair, intelligent and free. Colonel R. G. Inghrsoll. log Bij permission, from "Acme Haversack."] I.HT OUR FLAG I'LOAT O'l-R EACH. Let our flat;' float far and wide, O'er each hero, true and tried, O'er the graves of all who died At our country's call. For the flag those martyrs bled, Freel}' noblest blood was shed, " For our native land ! " tliey said, " vSacrifice we all."' A -NON V Mors. no THE UNITED STATES FLAG AT NORTH CAPE, NORWAY. A part}' of Americans found themselves, on the Fourth of July, 1880, at North Cape, Norway. They arrived in a steamer at II o'clock p. M., July 3d, and at one minute after midnight guns were fired, the shrill whistle of the engine responded to the number of stars on the American flag, and loud cheers were given to usher in our nation's holiday. The part}' then ascended the almost perpendicular cliff" — nine hundred feet high — and raised an American flag, made by the ladies of the party out of materials purchased at one of the Norwegian towns. It was certainly an extraordinary place for such a celebration, and the first time that a company of Americans ever celebrated the Fourth of July at such an hour and at such a latitude. The midnight sun shone upon the party all the time with dazzling brightne.ss. I I I By permission, fronn "Acme Haversack."] KEEP THE FLAG AT TIIlv I-ROXT. Plant now the flag, the dear old flag, out in the front again ! As in advance, 'mid fire and death, the flag was planted then : And round it rallied, till they fell, Columbia's glorious men. Whose sacrifice the nation saved. Hurrah ! hurrah ! the same old flag to-day ! Hurrah ! hurrah ! let none forget the wa}' 'Twas brought through fearful sacrifice, where deadly perils lay, When carried by the boys in blue. In patriot love by every one the strength of nation lies, And ceaseless loyalty to flag, kept free by sacrifice ; To Libert}' that all be true, let dailj- pledges rise From all the youth of Columbia. Let nothing rise with loyalty to ever interfere. Let nothing false to country ever anj'where appear ; Let songs and deeds the truth impress, that all the world may hear, Our hearts are true to Liberty. J. C. O. Rkdin'GTox. I 12 Copyrighted by S. Brriiqird's Sons Co., aqd used by permission! WRAP TIII<: FLAG AROUND MK, BOYS. Wrap the flag around me, boys, To die were far more sweet, With freedom's starry emblem, boys. To be my winding sheet. In life I loved to see it wave. And follow where it lead. But now my eyes grow dim, my hands Would clasp its last bright shred. I had thought to greet you, boys, On many a well worn field, When to our starry banner, boys. The traitorous foe should yield ; But now, alas ! I am denied My dearest earthly prayer, You'll follow and you will meet the foe, But I shall not be there. But though my l)ody moulder, boys. My spirit will be free. And every comrade's honor, boys. Will still be dear to me. Then in the thick and bloody fight. Ne'er let your ardor lag. For I'll be there, still hov'ring near, Above the dear old flag. P. Stewart Taylor. 1^3 Copyrighted by A. S. Barnes & Co., and used by permission.] HURRAH FOR THK FLAG. There are many flag.s in many lands, There are flag.s of every hne, Bi;t there is no flag, however grand, Like our red, white, and bhie. We should always love the stars and stripes, And we mean to be ever true To this land of ours and the dear old flag, The red, the white, and blue. Then hurrah for the flag, "Our Country's Flag, Its stripes and bright stars, too ; There is no flag in any land Like our red, white, and blue. Miss M. H. Howliston. 114 From ttie "Inter-Ocean."] HURRAH FOR THIv OLD FLAG. Just after the terrible battle of the first Bull Run six men were found close together with seven of their legs need- ing immediate amputation. One by one they were gathered up and carried on an improvised stretcher to the surgeon's table. When Corporal Tanner's (afterward United States Pen- sion Commissioner) turn came, he was rolled on to the short stretcher and lifted up to be borne away — but now came the moment of trial. The rude appliance was too short for his body, and lying face downward he looked under the stretcher and saw both of his mangled legs hanging down at the other end. Catching a sight of the prostrate comrades just left, he shouted with all his remaining strength, " Hurrah for the old flag." AXONYJIOUS. 1^5 Fioai "Little People's Speaker," by permission of the Pennsylvania Publishing Co.] THE CHILDREN'S SONG OF THE I-EAG. This is our flag, and ma\- it wave- Wide over land and sea ! Though others love a different flag, This is the flag for me. And that's the flag for all our land, We will revere no other, And he who loves this symbol lair Shall be to us a brother. America's the land we love, Our broad, fair land so free ; And, school-mates, whereso'er I go. This is the flag for me. These glorious stars and radiant stripes, With youthful joy I see ; May no rude hand its beauty mar. This is the flag for me. Anonymous. ii6 From "The Flag of t^e United States," by Preble.] PREFERRED DEATH TO SURRENDERING THE FLAG. In the war of 1812, when Stonington was being bombarded by the Brilish fleet, August loth, 18 14, the town was wholly defenseless, the supply of ammunition having given out, and at the mercy of the invaders, a timid citizen proposed a formal surrender by lowering the United States flag, which was flying over a one-gun eighteen-pound batter}'. "No," shouted Captain Holmes, indignantly, "that flag shall never come down while I am alive!" And when the wind died away and it hung drooping from its staff", the brave Captain held it out on the point of a bayonet that the British might see it. In that position .several shots passed through it, and a companion of Holmes' was held up on his shoulders while he nailed it to the staff. 117 By pernqission, from "Acnrie HaversacU." | TIIIv AMERICAN FLAG IN OVli SCHOOLS. Flag of our nation ! Symbol true, The clustered stars on field of blue, And stripes, alternate red and white, Combine to teach and hold the right To live and be at libert}-, As we our happy peace can sec — And share the l)lessings God designed Should be the portion of maid-ciud. Thou art a patron of the mind, And all Columbia's children find Free education, public schools Unfettered b}- a tyrant's rules — Where all, both rich and poor, obtain Instruction on an equal plane — Whence come the good men, wise and great. To guard or hold the chair of state. Let, then, each public school possess The flag whose virtues we confess ; To teach our country's hope — the young — The sources whence our goodness sprung. And ever keep before their eyes, A token of the sacrifice Offered by freemen, true and brave, Our liberties to gain and save. ii8 Columbia, take now the stand In every school-house in the land ; And to our eager youth unfold The story of those days of old. When freemen gathered at the call To struggle, bleed, in death to fall. So that the banner of thy choice Might wave to make the world rejoice. J. C. O. REDINfiTON. 119 By permission, lionri " Acnqe Haversactc."] Till-: FI.A(; OF TIIIv CONSTiaj.ATIOX. Stars of the nioru on our banner borne, With heaven's iris blended, The hands of our sires mingled first those fires, And by us they'll be defended. Then hail the true, the red, white, and blue ! The flag of the constellation ; It sails as it sailed, by our- fathers hailed, O'er battles that made us a nation. What hand so bold as to strike from its fold A star or stripe there bright' ning ! To him each ^tar be a fiery Mars, Kacli stripe a terrible lightning. Its meteor form shall outride the storm 'Till the fiercest foes surrender ; The storm gone b}-, it shall gild the sky, A rainbow of peace and of splendor. Peace to the world, is our motto unfurkil, Tho' we fear no field that's gory : At home or abroad, fearing none but God, Our own pathway we're carving to glory. T. BUCH.\N.\N Rkid. WItii, 1861. I20 Frowi thp "Civil War in Song anr) Story."] THE AMERICAN FLAG IN NASHVILLE, TENN. The following extract from a letter on the joy of seeing the American flag in Nashville was written by a young lady in that city in the early part of the war : "Rejoice with me, dear grandma! The glorious star- spangled banner of the United States is again floating above us ! Oh, how we have hoped for, longed for, prayed for this joyous day ! I am wild, crazed, almost, with delight. I am still fearful that I shall awake and find our deliverance, our freedom, is all a dream. I cannot believe that it is a positive fact, it has come upon us so unexpectedly, this suc- cessful move of the Union army. Grandma, I cannot write coiniectedly at all. Forgive me all faults of composition, for I can see the stars and stripes of my ever-loved floating from tlie State House — the first time my eyes have been gladdened by such a sight for nearly a year. So great is my ecstasy, I cannot sit still. I cannot keep my eyes on the paper ; indeed, I cannot do anything but sing, whistle, and hum ' Yankee Doodle,' 'Hail Columbia,' 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' and feast my eyes on those glorious colors. Oh, grandma ! you cannot imagine our happiness at this sudden change in the aspect of public affairs. We have had so much to bear since I wrote you. " My father and brother have been taunted, sneered, and hissed at, and threatened by every one, until endurance was becoming impossible. We have been warned that there was imminent danger here for them, and the hatred toward Union 121 men was becoming so intense llial both ma and I lia\e been in an agony of suspense. We could not leave home, as we never did, without l)eing insulted. The cloud was lowering over us, growing darker and darker day by day, and I thought the silver lining never would appear, but it is here ! even now beaming upon us so l)rightly that we can .scarcely credit the reality. Can you wonder that in the state of feeling I was in that Sunday morning, dear grandma, when Tom knocked at the door and called out to me that Fort Donelson was sur- rendered, and the federal army would .soon be in Xaslu'ille, I became perfectly frantic with joy ? I ran screaming over the house, knocking down chairs and tables, clapping my hands, and shouting for the Union until the children were terrified, and ma and pa thought I was delirious. I rushed into the parlor and thundered ' Yankee Doodle ' on the piano in such a manner as I had never done before. I caught little Johnnie up in my arms and held him over the porch railing up stairs until he hurrahed for the star-spangled banner, Seward, Lin- coln, and McCIellaii. Just in the midst of these rejoicings intelligence came that Johnston's army was fleeing along the turnpike. Yes, there they were, retreating most ' valiantly.' Grandma, you never saw such a set of frightened men ; they could not get over the river fast enough. I never bade the southern army ' God-speed ' but that once, and then I did it with my whole heart. May their present advance be success- ful even to the Gulf of Mexico itself!" 122 Bg perrriission. from "Acme HaversacW," | OH, WRAP MK IX THE FLAG. Oh, wrap me in the flag, boys, When I am called to rest. W^e've fought beneath that banner That millions might be blest ; We've borne that sacred standard On many a fiery field, And counted it, from heaven. Our country's holy shield. Around me fold the flag, boys, When ready for my grave. So we may sleep with comrades Who died the stars to .save. We battled as true brothers To keep the right on high. Then let us sleep together Where freedom's heroes lie. Yes, wrap the star-flag o'er me. That I may rest with braves ; We're sure the stars above us Will lumine all our graves, (^ur nation's peerless colors Were borrowed from the .skies - A cheer to dying martyrs. And dear to angel eyes. 123 No flag among tlic nations With ours nia\- be compared ; No banner in earth's conflicts Has equal glory shared. Before it despots treml)le, Tyrants are filled with awe ; It breathes full inspiration Of liberty and law. CoMKADic Chaplain K. I));nnison. 124 By permission, fronri "Acme Haversack."] LET ITS HAVK PEACE. A quarter of a century has passed since the great com- mander of the Union army received the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, and as he stretched his hand out to take the hand of Lee, he said to him and to a weary nation tired of war: "Let us have peace." And we wish peace from one end of the land to the other ; and we wish at the same time to see the flag we love revered wherever it floats. We hope, too, the time is not far distant when it will be floating from every school-hou.se in the land. We wish to see it enshrined in the hearts and in the homes of every man, woman, and child in this great nation, even as the shadow of the cross of the vSavior is enshrined in the heart of the believer. Gknhkal R. A. Alger, Coriimander-in-Chief G. A. R. 125 From the " Toledo Blade," July 31st, 1890.] THI-: FLAG'S COME BACK TO TiCNNESvSEE. " Move my arm chair, faithful Pompey, 111 the sunlight, clear and strong ; For this world is fading, Pompey, Massa won't be with you long ; And I fain would hear the south wind Bring once more the sound to me Of the wavelets softly breaking On the shores of Tennessee. " Mournful, though, the ripples murniur. As they still the story tell How no vessels float the banner That I've loved so long and well. I shall listen to their music. Dreaming that again I .see vStars and stripes on sloop and shallop. Sailing up the Tenne.s.see." Thus he watches cloud bow shadows Glide from tree to mountain crest. Softly creeping, aye, and ever. To the river's yielding breast. Ha ! above the foliage yonder Something flutters, bold and free — " Massa, massa, hallelujah ! The flag's come back to Tennessee!" 126 Pompey, hold me on your shoulder, Help me stand on foot once more, That I may salute the colors As they pass my cabin door. Never more shall treason trail thee, Glorious emblem of the free ! God and Union be our watchword Evermore in Tennessee ! ' ' 127 NO DKvSKCRATIOX OF "OLD CxLORV." Congressman Caldwell, of Cincinnali, has become known as the champion of the American flag. The house, on Mon- day, September 29th, 1890, passed his bill to protect the flag from "defacement, disfigurement, or prostitution to the pur- poses of advertising." 128 By permission, -from "Acrrje Ha/ersack.'J OUR BANNER OF GLORY. Our banner of glory is waving on high, Its stars are as those of the even', And its stripes like the mingling hues of the sky When the morning is blushing in heaven. That banner, still radiant and floating on high, From ocean to ocean still reigning. Shall illumine the sea and rival the sky While an empire on earth is remaining. Wave on ! then, wave on, thou flag of the free ! Be never defeated, no, never ! Triumphantl}' wave o'er land and the sea ! Proudl}- wave in th}' glory forever ! J. C. O. Redington. Our banner of glory is wavirig or^ high, Its stars are as thiose of the everi'." 130 From " Historu of th'? Arnencan Flag." I A LOVKI.Y IJAXNIiR. Ne'er waved beneath the golden snn A lovelier banner for the brave, Than that our bleeding fathers won, And proudly to their children gave. Its glorious stars in azure shine. The radiant heraldry of heaven ; Its stripes in beauteous order twine, The emblems of our Union given. Around the globe, through every clime Where commerce wafts or man hath trod, It floats aloft, unstained with crime, But hallowed l)y heroic blood. Anonvmous. 131 From "The Flag of l^e United States," by Preble.] THE NATIONAL FLAG. There is the national flag ! He must be cold, indeed, who can look upon its folds rippling in the breeze without pride of country. If he be in a foreign land, the flag is com- panionship and country itself, with all its endearments. Who, as he sees it, can think of a state merely ? Whose eye, once fastened upon its radiant trophies, can fail to recognize the image of the whole nation ? It has been called a floating piece of poetry ; and yet I know not if it have any intrinsic beaut}' beyond other ensigns. Its highest l^eauty is in what it symbolizes. It is because it represents all that all gaze at it with delight and reverence. It is a piece of bunting lifted in the air ; but it speaks sublimely, and every part has a voice. Its stripes of alternate red and white proclaim the original union of thirteen states to maintain the Declara- tion of Independence. Its stars, white in a field of blue, proclaim that union of states constituting our national con- stellation, which receives a new star with every new state. The two together signify union, past and present. The very colors have a language which was officially recognized by our fathers. White is for purity, red for valor, blue for justice ; and all together — bunting, stripes, stars, and colors, blazing in the sky — make the flag of our country ; to be cherished by all hearts, to be upheld by all our hands. Hon. Charlhs Sumner. 1^,2 From the " Inter-Ocear,."] COLORS THAT WILL NOT RUN. When the people of the north were excited on the fall of Fort Sumter, a New York sign-painter hung out the stars and stripes with the significant statement that they were "colors warranted not to run." 1.33 Froni "The FIng of the United States," by Preble.] OUR COUNTRY'vS FLAG IN THE WIIITK HOUSIv One of the flags in the White House has a history with which few are familiar. It hangs over the center of the largest window of the east room, where it can be seen to the best advantage. It is woven of silk in one heavy piece. There is no seam in it. Amid the gold stars appears on the field, in French : " Popular subscription to the Republic of the United States. Offered in memory of Abraham Lincoln, Lyons, 1865." 134 FLAG OF GLORY. Onward, flag of glory, flying, Higher rise to fame undying ; Borne aloft by freedom now. Grandest earthly banner, thou. Thine, oh, stars and stripes, the story Of a nation's wondrous glory. Won from field and conflict gory, Symbol of its power and worth. J. I). Pmci.i'S. 135 Copyrighte'l liy J. H. Lo.i r, ar\d published by , MY FATHER'vS FLAG AND MI NIC. The Song of the Sons and Daughters of Veterans. Oh ! that grand ohl flag (;f gkjry That our veteran fathers bore While the loj^al hosts were struggling Through the crimson storms of war ! On the fiery front of battle, See it flash along the line ! 'Tis the old "Star-Spangled Banner" — My father's flag and mine. Oh, the beauty ! oh, the glory ! That in radiant splendor shine In the old "Star-Spangled Banner " - My father's flag and mine. There were many millions lying 'Neath the tyrants crushing might. And their blood to heaven was crying Through that long and tearful night 'Till they caught the light of freedom, With its radiance divine, From the old "Star-Spangled Banner" — My father's flag and mine. Oh ! the blood, the tears, the agonies It in every fibre holds ! Oh ! the grand heroic spirits — We see them in its folds ! 'Tis the ensign of the ages I It is freedom's gift and shrine ! That dear old ' ' Star-Spangled Banner ' ' - My father's flag and mine. 136 SONS OF VETERANS AND OUR FLAG. Sons of Veterans, take the colors, Never lower the silken bars ; Ever be a band of brothers, Rallying 'round the stripes and stars. Sons of Veterans, we are growing Fewer, fewer year by year ; Tliick the graves with colors flowing, Yellow is the leaf, and sear. Swear to keep this bainier flying, Tho' foreign foe or traitor's band Should strew the fields with dead and dying, And other flags pollute the land. Sons of \'eterans, you are given That which all our hearts revere ; Though it should be rent and riven. It will conquer, never fear. Ct)LO.\i;i- J. H. PiiiRCK 137 THK PATRIOT'S FLAG. The true American patriot is ever a worshipper. The starry syniljol of his country's sovereignty is to him radiant with a diviner glory than that which meets his mortal vision. It epitomizes the splendid results of dreary ages and failures in human government, and as he gazes upon its starry folds undulating to the whispering winds of the upper air, it some- times seems to his enraptured spirit to recede further and further into the .soft blue .skies until the heavens open and angel hands plant it upon the battlements of paradise. Its stars seem real ; its lines of white symbol the purity of his heroic sires, those of red their patriot blood shed in defense of right. To insult that flag i.s worse than infamy; to make war upon it worse than treason. Where that ensign floats, on the .sea or on the land, it is to him the very political shekinah of his love and faith, luminous with the presence of that God who conducted our fathers across the sea and through the fires of the revolution to the Pisgah heights of civil and religious lil^erty. Newtox Bateman. 138 From "The Flag of tlie United States," by Preble.] OUR BANNER! For fifty years, at fray or feast, O'er deadly foe or gentle guest. Triumphantly unfurled! And fifty more our flag shall wave In memory of the good and brave Who dignified the world. And tyranny and time defy In freedom's immortality. A Toast given by David Paul Brov/q, Noverntter 17th, 1824. 139 THE GLORIOUS ENSIGN. Oh, raise that glorious ensign high, And let the nations see The flag for which our fathers fought To make our country free ! " Anony.mous. 140 Fiorn "The Flag of the Uqited States," by Preble.] OUR BANNER OF LIGHT. [Lines written on the suppression of the au'lificatlon f^eresy, and the restoration of the star-spangled banner to its honors, in Ctiarleston, S. C, June 28th, 1833.] " Hail, banner of glory! Hail, banner of light ! Whose fame lives in story, whose folds cheer my sight ; Not a star is snppres'd, not a stripe has been torn From the flag of the West, which onr fathers have borne. Onr I'nion is fast, and onr homes ever snre, Onr freedom shall last while the world shall endnre. Then hail to the banner who.se folds wave in glory. Let the free breezes fan her and whisper her story — The tninult has ended, the storm's died away, The fiend has descended that led ns astray ; The .sons of the West are our brothers again, And the flag of the blest floats from Texas to Maine." J. C. S. 141 By pei-rnission, fi'oiTi "Acme Haversack."] THE UNITED STATES FLAG IN KATTEE. During the war of the great rebellion the United States flag waved in the smoke of 2,247 battles, and 2,690,401 men mustered under its folds. 142 Writtea by request for "Our Country's Flag "J OUR HONORED FLAG. " A stretch of buiititig floating o'er Our heads — red stripes, on ground of white — A blue space, like the sky at night — Some stars in clusters — nothing more ! " Wliy wave your hats? Why shout with joy? Why flaunt this picture to the breeze ? An artist's eye 'twill fail to please, This flaring gaud — this painted toy!" " Stranger! thou read'st its legend ill ! That canvas, wrestling with the winds, Holds a deep meaning for our minds. Passing the artist's boasted skill ! " That ground of white is Time's vast page — Those tell-tale lines of deepest red The blood by martyr-patriots shed In every clime, through every age ! " That bright, clear space of azure hue That bides apart from all the rest, Means our fair empire of the west, Whose sky of hope is ever blue ! " Those stars that deck night's ample breast Shall glitter on through countless years — While gravitation rules the spheres Each orb draws closer all the rest ! " See, stranger ! in yon flag, unfurled. Life's highest aim, time's weightiest trust ! For when that banner trails in dust Freedom, faith, hope will leave the world ! " Jamks W. Temple. 143 JAMES A. GARFIELD AND OUR FLAG. "I trust the time is not far distant when in the North and South our people will sleep in peace and rise in liberty, love, and harmony under the union of our flag of the stars and stripes." 144 Frorn "The American Flag," by Preble.] OUR GLORIOUS FLAG. Oh, glorious flag I red, white, and ])hie, Bright emblem of the pure and true ; Oh, glorious group of clustering stars I Ve lines of light, ye crimson bars, Trampled in dust by traitor feet. Once more your flowing folds we greet Triumphant over all defeat ; Henceforth in ever}- clime to be. Unfading scarf of liberty, The ensign of the brave and free. Hon. Edward J. Preston. 145 Frorri llie "Cyclopaedia of British and Arnericaq Pi n ] FLAG OF MY COUNTRY. Flag- of 1113' couiilry ! in lliy folds Are wrapped the treasures of the heart ; Where'er that waving sheet is fanned B}^ breezes of the sea and land, It bids the life-blood start. It is not that among those stars The firey crest of Mars shines out ; It is not that on battle-plain, 'Mid heaps of harnessed warriors slain, It flaps triumphant o'er the route. vShort-lived the joy that conquest yields ; Flushed victory is bathed in tears ; The burden of that bloody fame Which shouting myriads proclaim Sounds sad to widowed ears. Thou hast a deeper, stronger hold. Flag of ni}^ country, on the heart — That when o'er mustered hosts unfurled Thou art a signal to the world At which the nations start. Thou art a symbol of the power Whose sheltering wings our homes surround Guarded by thee was childhood's morn. And where thy cheering folds are borne Order and peace are found. 10 146 Flag of our mighty Union, hail ! Blessings abound where thou dost float ; Best robe for living freedom's form, Fit pall to spread upon her tomb vShould heaven to death devote. Wave over us iu glory still, And be our guardian as now ! Each wind of heaven salute thy streaks ! And withered be the arm that seeks To bring that l)anner low ! William Parsons Lunt. 147 Frorn "Thie History of tf^e Americar\ Flag," by Preble.] DEDICATION OF A UNITED STATES FLAG SENT BY LADIES OF NEW YORK TO THE SEVENTH REGIMENT. The flag of our country; what higher as.surauce Of sympathy, honor, and trust could we send ? The crown of our father's unflinching endurance, 'Tis the emblem of all you have sworn to defend ; Of freedom and progress, with order combined, The cause of the nation, of God, and mankind. Anonymous. ' Our flag is ttiere, our flag is there, We'll ha" 't with three loud huzzas." 149 Bi| P'-!rniis'-,inn, frorn " Aimo H^lversacU,"] OUR FLAG IS TIIIvRlv Our flag is there, our flag is there, We'll hail it with three loud huzzas. Our flag is there, our flag is there. Behold the glorious stripes and stars. Stout hearts have fought for that bright flag. Strong hands upheld it mast-head high, And oh ! to see how proud it waves Brings tears of joy to every eye. Our flag is there, our flag is there, We'll hail it with three loud huzzas. Our flag is there, our flag is there, Behold the glorious stripes and stars. That flag has stood the battle's roar. With foemen stout, with foemen brave ; Strong hands have sought that flag to lower. And found a sure and speedy grave. That flag is known on every shore, - The standard of a gallant band. Alike unstained in peace and war, It floats o'er freedom's happy land. By a Naval Offickr in 1812. I50 From thp ■■ IntPr-Orp-'.n."] THK FLAG RESTORED. General Sherman, on' his march to join General Grant, captured Charleston, S. C, and on April 14th, 1865, the identical Union flag which had been hauled down at the sur- render of Fort Sumter, exactly four years before, was finally restored with befitting ceremonies. The multitude a.ssenibled and sang, "Rally 'Round the Flag." Rev. Mr. Harris, who made the prayer at the rais- ing of the flag over Fort Sumter, December 27th. i860, offered prayer, and pronounced a blessing on the flag. Gen- eral Town.send read Major Anderson's dispatch announcing the fall of Sumter. Then faithful Sergeant Hart appeared with a carpet-bag containing the identical old flag, and General Anderson, after a brief and touching address, hoisted it to the peak of the flag-staff amid loud huzzahs, followed by singing "The Star- Spangled Banner." Six guns on the old fort were then fired and were responded to by all the batteries that took part in the bombardment, April 14th, 1861. 151 From " Patriotic Reader."] E PLURIBUS UNUM. Though many and bright are the stars that ai)pear In that flag by our country unfurled, And the stripes that are swelling in majesty there, lyike a rainbow adorning the world. Their light is unsullied as those in the sky, By a deed that our fathers have done, And they are linked in as true and as holy a tie. In their motto of "Many in One." From the hour when those patriots fearlessly flung That banner of starlight abroad, Ever true to themselves, to that motto they clung. As they clung to the promise of God. By the bayonet traced at the midnight of war, On the field where our glory was won — Oh, perish the heart or the hand that would mar Our motto of "Many in One." 'Mid the smoke of the conflict, the cannon's deep roar, How oft it has gathered renown ! While those stars were reflected in rivers of gore, Where the cross and the lion went down ; And though few were their lights in the gloom of that hour. Yet the hearts that were striking below Had God for their bulwark, and truth for their power. And they stopped not to number their foe. 152 From where our green mountain-tops blend with the sky, And the giant St. Lawrence is rolled, To the waves where the balmy Hesperides lie. Like the dream of some prophet of old. They conquered, and, dying, bequeathed to our care Not their boundless dominion alone. But that banner whose loveliness hallows the air. And their motto of "Many in One." We are many in one while glitters a star In the blue of the heavens above. And tyrants shall quail, 'mid their dungeons afar, When they gaze on that motto of love. It shall gleam o'er the sea, 'mid the bolts of the storm, Over tempest, and battle, and wreck. And flame where our guns with their thunder grow warm, 'Neath the blood of the slippery deck. The oppressed of the earth to that standard shall fly Wherever its folds shall be spread, And the exile shall feel 'tis his own native sky. Where its stars shall wave over his head ; And those stars shall increase 'till the fullness of time Its millions of cycles have run — 'Till the world shall have welcomed their mission sublime, And the nations of earth shall be one. Though the old Allegheny may tower to heaven. And the Father of Waters divide. The links of our destinj' cannot be riven While the truth of those words shall abide. Oh, then let them glow on each helmet and brand. Though our blood like our rivers shall run; Divide as we may in our own native land. To the rest of the world we are one. 153 Then uj) willi our flag ! I^et it stream oti tlie air ; Though our fathers are cold in their graves, They had hands that could strike, they had souls that could dare, And their sons were not born to be slaves. Up, up with that banner ! where'er it may call, Our millions shall rally around, And a nation of freemen that moment shall fall When its stars shall be trailed on the ground. George Washington Cutter. 154 A LESSON TO BE TAUGHT IX OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The following extract is taken from a speech delivered by Dr. Richard Edwards, Illinois State Superintendent of Pub- lic Instruction, 1890: "One of the lessons to be taught in the.se schools is the lesson of patriotism. Let the flag wave over ever}' school- house. Let the children within its walls be instructed in the principles of patriotism. Let them recite the poems which set forth the glories of our land. Let them declaim the speeches which proclaim the true principles of its government. Let them learn what the fathers of the republic said. Let them learn the great and inspiring facts in the nation's history. And let them revere the flag. It is the symbol of their country's greatness. It reminds you of the glories of the revolutionary war. It reminds you of the fact that in the greatest civil contest that was ever waged on earth this na- tion came out victor. Its power and its grandeur are to-day represented by the stars and stripes. Let the children read in the RED of the flag the stor}' of the precious blood that has been shed in defense of the nation's liberties and the nation's existence. Let them discern in its glorious blue the purity of the principles on which it is founded, the heavenly, the inspiring sentiments which have animated her sons and daugh- ters in all trying times. And let them read in the white the lofty purity of those principles, their tendency to uplift and cleanse humanity, their mighty influence in regenerating the race." 155 From "Acme Haversack, bg permission."] OUR FLAG, OUR PRIDK. Our pride and cheer is our flag so dear, Our stars and stripes all glorious ; For far and near all the nations hear That it always is victorious. Let us all renew to the red, white, and blue Full measure of devotion ; Ever shall it wave o'er our land of the brave. All free to the farthest ocean. Once England ro.se, as the proudest of foes, With her navy to crush our nation ; But true hist'ry shows Yankee pluck that opposed Was the best in the whole creation. The reason, you see, is our men are free ; This fact ev'ry heart is firing ; And so mightily it will alwa3'S be Invincible, inspiring. Flag of the free ! evermore to be Triumphant in its glory ; How, as queen of the sea, it has made foes flee. Is the grandest of all earth's stor\-. Our people, too, now are wholl)' true To the flag so well defended ; We are all true blue, loyal through and through, Civil war is forever ended. J. C. O. Redingtox. is6 THE FLAG OF SUMTER AND FINAL UNION. Oh, see you our flag in the breeze floating bright On the walls of Fort Sumter, as the daj' is declining ? How proudly it waves as its stripes catch the light ! What a glory of stars in its azure is shining ! There was woe in the land for the loss of brave men Ere the flag o'er that fort was seen flying again ; But thence came a Union more firm than before, One nation for aye, and one flag evermore ! Anonymous. 157 A FLAG OF 1776 AT THE CENTENNIAL, 1876. At the Centennial exhibition at Philadelphia in 187^ a reprodtiction of the Union flag raised at Cambridge in 1776 was hoisted over the old vState House, January' ist, 1S76. 158 By permission, from "Acme Haversack."] THE HALLOWED FLAG. Our flag, mure than one hundred years Unfurled 'mid storm and sun — The flag the t} rant hates and fears. Shall ne'er be undone. Stand b}' the flag while life remains, For it man every gun ; Beneath its folds, on battle-plains, Our Union grand was won. From sire to son, the flag hand down, And follow where it waves ; Unsullied be its fair renown, Hallowed our heroes' graves. God bless our flag of stripes and stars, Proud symbol of the free ; No stain its dazzling record mars, Honored on land and sea. From eastern wave to western strand. Forever may it be Emblem of freedom pure and grand. Symbol of liberty. We'll ne'er give up our flag of fame, God speed its onward way ; Dishonored be the hand and name That e'er disowns its sway. Beneath the starry banner's sweep. Waiting the judgment day. Four hundred thousand heroes sleep. Who fell before the grav. 159 Holy with ineniories pure and grand, Baptized with blood and tears, Triumphant o'er our rescued land, Wave on a thousand years. True patriots all would dare to die Where bright our flag appears ; And prouder yet 'twill kiss the sky, After a thousand years. Prop. J. riow.\RD Wkkt. i6o HRAVr: WORDS. "Lay me down, and save the flag." Colonel J.vmks Mulligan. Words spoken as he was beirig carried wounded from the battle-field, July 24th, 1864. t6i Froin " Acrrie Hnversnck." bi| porrriissionl THI<: FLAG WITH FORTY-TWO vSTARS. Of all the mighty nations in the east or in the west, Columbia is the grandest and the free-est and the best ; Her sacrifice for liberty astounded all the world, And taught the wondrous meaning of the stars and stripes luifurled. Then cheer the flag ! Glorious flag ! flag of the free ! Let us all to-day renew our loyalty ! Only thirteen stars at first appeared to view. But now the might}- banner proudly carries forty-two. A quarter-century has passed, of progress wondrous, grand. And valiant deeds have made us now at head of nations stand ; All heed the people's uttered will, in grand, resistless vow. We love "Old Glory" more and more, and we'll stand by it now. Now let ev'ry happy one remember what our land has cost, How for Union's preservation many noblest lives were lost ; And pledge anew to liberty an earnest, loyal heart. That ev'ry day, both young and old, we'll do a patriot's part. J. C. O. Rkdixgtox. l62 From "The Flag of the United States," by Preble.] EXTRACT FROM HONORABLE EDWARD EVERETT'S ELOQUENT SPEECH AT A FLAG-RAISING IN BOSTON, 1 86 1. "We set up this standard," he said, "not as a matter of display, but as an expressive vindication that in the mighty struggle which has been forced upon us we are of one heart and mind — that the government of the country must be sus- tained." -'■ * * * "Why is it," he continued, " that the flag of the country, always honored, always beloved, is now at once worshipped, I may say, with the passionate homage of this whole people ? Why does it float, as never before, not merely from arsenal and mast-head, but from tower and steeple, from public edifices, the temples of science, the private dwellings, in magnificent display of miniature present- ment? Let Fort Sumter give the answer. When on this day fortnight, the 13th of April (a day forever to be held in auspicious remembrance, like the dies Allieusis in the an- nals of Rome), the tidings spread through the land that the standard of united America, the pledge of her union and the symbol of her power, for which so many gallant hearts had poured out their life's blood on the ocean and the land to up- hold, had, in the harbor of Charleston, been for a day and a half the target of eleven fratricidal batteries, one deep, unani- mous, spontaneous feeling shot with the tidings through the breasts of twenty millions of freemen that its outraged honor must be vindicated." ,A^ ;:>*'•' .^i! .. Why is it that the flag of the country, always honored, always beloved, is now at oace wo.sh.pped, 1 may say. with the passionate homage of th,s whole people?" 164 From ■•Acrne Haversack," by perrnissc FLAG OF YANK HE DOODLK. In those old daj-s of seventy-six There was a great commotion ; When Johnny Bull thought he would fix Things here more to his notion. He said it was a stupid rag The Yankees were a-flying ; But Yankee Doodle said, "That flag Was never made for dying!" Yankee Doodle's glorious flag, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Floats from freedom's vict'ry crag, Old Yankee Doodle Dandy ! Some other fellows thought they'd try This flag to pull to pieces ; They found it vain, so said "good-bye! With us disunion ceases." Our boys struck back with victor's whack And .said, "This flag we're saving! The Yankee Jack has got a knack Of keeping up a waving." Anonymous. 1 65 Frorn "The Flag o1 the Uqited States," by Pieble.] SAVED BY SINGING THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER. After the battle of Belmont a wounded man, with both legs nearly shot off, was found in the woods singing the "Star-Spangled Banner;" but for this circumstance the sur- geons say they would not have discovered him. 1 66 Bm r'prmis«.ion, from '■Acnr|0 Haversack."] THE BANNER OF THE UNION. Bring the good old banner, boys, the flag our fathers bore ! Let it float across the land and shimmer on the shore. Liberty is marching on to many conquests more. Bearing the banner of the Union. Hurrah ! hurrah ! we'll bring the jubilee ; Hurrah ! hurrali ! the flag that makes us free; So we'll sing the chorus of truth and liberty, Bearing the banner of the Union. How the nation thundered when that flag was menaced long ; How the boys enlisted and the girls grew bold and strong ; How the hosts of victory triumphant swept along, Bearing the banner of the Union. Rally 'round the colors, boys, and keep them at the fore, Take your stand for liberty and fight her battles o'er, True to home and freedom, ever loyal to the core, Bearing the banner of the Union. Kate Bkownlee Sherwood. 167 From "History of tlie Uqited States Flag," bg Preble.] ITALIANS HONORING OUR FLAG. In May, 1848, when the Italian tri-colored banner was consecrated by the Patriarch of \^enice, in that city, the Ameri- can consul was the only foreign diplomat invited to be pres- ent. In the course of the ceremonies the commander of the troops called, "Attention! Honor the flag of the United States of America!" At which the multitude shouted their applause with cries of "Long live our sister republic!" The people of all classes and conditions, soldiers and civilians, nearest, embraced the consul, and kissed the star-spangled banner, pressed it to their hearts, while the many, with moistened eyes, reached their hats through the crowd merely to touch it, exclaiming, "Viva il Console!" " Vivano gli Stati Uniti!" "Viva la gran Republica ! " 1 68 From "The American Flag," by Preble.] THE HERALDRY OF THE AMERICAN FLAG. When kingly presumption loosed war's desolation, To sweep o'er Columbia and sully her charms, Our fathers united to form us a nation. And symboled it well in our blazon of arms. Their homes were thirteen, so they followed that number — Seven red and six white, in a series of bars ; And, painting love's vigilance, foreign to slumber — They chose a blue quarter with thirteen white stars. Thirteen blazed at once in their new constellation. The daughters of freedom, a star for each mate ; A new silver star is the fine augmentation Of honor they granted for every new state. They named no abatement in view of secession, But bound us, their children, to foster the trust. The white of the field proved their hate of oppression, Their passion for peace and abhorrence of war ; The red, in excess, warned o'erweening aggression It aye .should be met and repulsed from their shore. Truth shines in the quarter thus tinctured of heaven ; Youth and strength light the stars that have ne'er paled or set. Year by year they increase — may God grant that their levin, Extending, shall re-youth the continents yet. 169 So fashioned our lathers the flag of the Uni(jn, Which glads every wave of the world-lashing sea — Revered by each man in our patriot communion — The handsomest banner that rides on the breeze. With this sign they conquered. 'Midst cannon and mortar, Sword, musket, and rifle, still glitters this shield ; A people who stoop to no nation for quarter, A field present ever where foes are afraid. As the stars and the stripes are our states interwoven. Having grown thus from weakness to far-spreading might, Then perish the villain who, wanting them cloven, Would quench their resplendence in treachery's night ! Charles J. Lukens. 170 THE COLORS IN OUR FLAG — WHAT THKY REPRESENT. The red, white, and blue in the United States flag rep- resent courage, integrity, steadfastness, love, and purpose. 171 By peiinissioo, fiorn "Acme Ha/ersack."] FREEDOM'S FLAG. Our country's flag, oh, enibletn dear Of all the soul loves best ! What glory in thy folds appear Let noble deeds attest ; Thy presence on the field of strife Enkindles valor's flame ; Around thee in the hour of peace We twine our nation's fame. Beneath th}^ rays our fathers bled In freedom's holy cause ; Where'er to heaven thy folds outspread. Prevail sweet freedom's laws. Prosperity has marked thy course O'er all the land and sea, Th}^ favored sons in distant climes Still fondly look to thee. Proud banner of the noble free, Emblazoned from on high ! Long may thy folds unsoiled reflect The glories of the sky ! Long may thy land be freedom's land. Thy homes with virtue bright, Thy sons a brave, united band. For God, for truth, and right ! Then hurrah ! hurrah ! for freedom's flag. We hail with ringing cheers Its glowing bars and clustering stars. That have braved a hundred years. GlEBKL. 172 THE FLAG AND THE UNION. We join ourselves to no party that does not carry the flag and keep step to the music of the Union. RuFUS Choatk. 173 From the " Iritor-O'-oan,"] THH I'lRST UNION FLAG OVICR Till.; CAI'ITOT, OF TIIK CONFICDERACY AFTICR THF SURRENDER. The first Union flag hoisted over the Capitol of the Con- federacy upon the surrender of Richmond. Virginia, was the garrison flag of the Twelfth Maine Regiment, and had floated over the St. Charles hotel, New Orleans, when that building was General Butler's headquarters. It had been brought to Virginia by General Shepley, who hoped to raise it over the surrendered city of Richmond, also. He gave it in charge of Lieutenant Johnston L. I)e Peyster, a young man eighteen years of age, and a member of General Weitzel's staff. The young Lieutenant carried the flag on the pummel of his saddle for several days, expecting daily to take part in the assault upon the city. On April 3d, 1865, at about 8:30 o'clock in the morning, he, assisted by Captain Loomis L. Langdon, of General Weitzel's staff, raised the historic banner over the captured Capitol of the Confederacy. 174 By permission, fron\ "Acme Haversack."] OUR STAR-SPANGLED BANNER FOREVER. W'c sing of Ihe Union, the Uni(jn we love, The Union that notliing shall sever. We sing of our banner, free, floating above ; Undinimed nia\' it wave on forever ! Serene 'mid the nations Columbia stands, United, unrivalled as ever ; Our Union of states, of hearts, and of hands, And our star-spangled batuier forever ! We sing of our Union made perfect again — Our Union all rupture defying ; We sing of our flag, on the land, o'er main, Triumphant o'er head it is flying. We sing of our Union, our Union renewed. Cemented more firmly than ever. We sing of the flag loyal blood has imbued — A star shall be torn from it never ! We sing of the Union we live in' to-day, The stronger since its recent saving. The "Yank" of the blue, and the " Johnny " of gray Both are glad the old flag is waving. In letters of gold on fame's scroll shall appear To all future ages the story. Three cheers for the Unicjn, our Union so dear. Three cheers for our star-flag, "Old Glory !" Nellie Griswold Johnson. 175 FroiTi " History of tf^e American Flag," by Preble.) MONEY BIvQUEATHKD FOR l-LAGS. Soon after the close of the war Jacob Foss, a citizen of Charlestown, Massachusetts, bequeathed to that city several thousand dollars, the interest to be expended in United States flags. No mottoes are to be emblazoned on these flags, nor are they to be used for party purposes ; but on all important occasions of a national character they are to be hoisted to the breeze and kept flying. So, under one banner united, Tliough natives of different lairds.' 177 Blj permission of the Peinsyivania Pubiisliing Co.] Ahh ONE UNDER THE STARS AND vSTRIPES. So, under one l)aniifr united, Though natives of different lands, Our faith to our country is plighted. We giv^e it our hearts and our hands. A Union that time shall not sever, Whose pledges to-day we renew. The star-spangled banner forever ! Three cheers for the red, white, and blue. Anonymous. 178 Frorn t\r[e "Century" Magaizine.] A MONOPOLY OF THK FLAG. It is the right of the American people to enjoy a mon- opoly for their own flag within their own jurisdiction ; it is the right, and should be the duty, of those who follow other flags to follow them elsewhere. 179 By permission of the Author.] YES ! OUR FLAG IS STILL ADVANCING. Is "our banner" still advancing? Hear the loyal hosts exclaim, While the ralljnng ranks of freedom Onward dash, 'mid smoke and flame. Onward up the fort-ribbed mountain, 'Gainst the leaden storm they passed, 'Till the grand old flag of freedom Waved in triumph o'er its crest ! Yes ! Our flag is still advancing ! See ! It mounts toward the sun ! Rebel legions dash against it, But it still keeps moving on ! Traitors aim their deadl)^ missiles, Monarchs frown across the main, But the foe of human freedom xAims and frowns and strikes in vain ! Is "our banner" still advancing? Gasped the soldier as he died. While the blood his heart was yielding Trickled down the mountain side. But his comrades hurried onward, 'Till the mountain top thej^ trod ! They have scaled that dreaded mountain. He has scaled the ' ' mount of God ! ' ' I So Yes! "Our flag" is still advancing! As yon radiant orl) of day, Mounting to its heavenly zenith, Makes the shadows fade away — So "our flag" dispels oppression; Lo ! 'Tis freedom's rising sun. Earth's last fetter shall be broken, E'er its radiant race is run. Is "our banner" still advancing? Rings the echo through the air ; Well may freemen swell that chorus, All their hopes are centered there. Bear aloft that grand "old banner," While our rallying hosts repeat : This shall be our nation's glory, Or our nation's winding sheet ! " Yes! " Our flag " is still advancing! How these words our bosoms thrill ! May our sons in coming ages Keep that flag advancing still — 'Till o'er all this vast dominion, Where the foot of man hath trod, All shall bow 'neath freedom's banner. All shall worship freedom's God ! Still advancing, higher ! higher ! Shout ye loyal ! Shout ye brave ! Tyrants, let your hope expire When you see that bainier wave ! vStill advancing ! Oh ! we hail thee ! In th}- grandeur ever wave ! Perish all who dare assail thee. Grand old banner of the brave ! Chai'L.\in Lozikk. i8i By pernriissioa of the Pennsylvania Publishing Co.] STAND BY OUR COUNTRY'S FLAG. Stand b)' the flag, its folds have streamed in glory, To foes a fear, to friends a festal robe. And spread in rhythmic lines the .sacred story Of freedom's triumph over all the globe. Stand by the flag, on land, on ocean billow. By it your fathers stood, unmoved and true ; Living, defended ; dying, from their pillows. With their last blessing, passed it on to you. Stand by the flag, though death-shot 'round it rattle. And underneath its waving folds have met. In all the dread array of sanguine battle. The quivering lance and glistening bayonet. Stand by the flag, all doubt and treason scorning, Believe, with courage firm and faith sublime, That it will float until the eternal morning Pales in its glories all the lights of time. Anonymous. l82 Frorri "The Flag o) the Uaited States," by Preble.] THE BEAUTIES OF THE AMERICAN FLAG. I have seen the glories of art and architecture, and moun- tain and river ; I have seen the sun set on Jungfrau, and the full moon rise over Mount Blanc ; but the fairest vision on which these eyes ever looked was the flag of my country in a foreign land. Beautiful as a flower to those who love it, terrible as a meteor to those who hate it ; it is the symbol of the power and glory and the honor of fifty millions of Ameri- cans. George F. Hoar, 1877. i83 By permission, (ronr\ "Acrrie Haversactt."] OUR GRAND OLD FLAG. Children, see that grand old banner That in "sixty-one" Waved above the walls of Sumter, Where the war begun. See our flag so grandly waving, Kmblem of the free ! Every star and stripe proclaiming Land of lii)erty ! Every stripe records a blessing, Every star a state Of our Union still progressing, Free from brother's hate. Now in peace it smiles upon us From its glorious height. Promising us future vict'ry Since our cause is right. Oh ! revere that grand old bainier. That from "sixty-one," Sires so nobly battled under 'Till the war was done. J. P. Martin. 1 84 A MEMORABLE COMMAND. "If any one attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot." John A. Dix. January 29th, 1861. i'\S From "The Flag of thje United States," by Preble.] OUR COUNTRY'S FLAG IN SWITZERLAND. At Geneva, Switzerland, it was pleasant to American eyes, sailing across Lake Lenian, on the Fourth of Jul}-, to see "Old Glory" floating merrily out. Not one .solitary flag, but the buildings far and near flaunted the stars and stripes. One hotel was fairly draped with our banner. "We will follow the flag," said one of our party, and to the Grand Hotel de La Paix we went, and quite a bit of a Fourth of July we had among the Alps. The landlord surprised us on going down to dinner with a magnificent banquet. Waiters, deco- rated with a rosette of red, white, and blue, ushered us into the hall ; bouquets and silk American flags, with every star in its place, enlivened the table, and no sooner were we seated than a concealed band of music struck up our national airs. 1 86 From "Acme Haversack," by perrnission.] OUR ]^ATTLE-FLAGS. Nothing but flags — but simple flags, Tattered and torn, hanging in rags ; We walk beneath with careless tread, Nor think of hosts of mighty dead Who've trod beneath in days gone by. With burning cheek and eager eye, And bathed the folds in life's red tide. And dying blessed, and blessing died. Nothing but flags — they're bathed in tears ; They tell of triumphs, hopes, and fears ; Of mother's prayers for bo}' away. That he return some coming day. Silent, they speak, and tears will start ; We see them now with aching heart. And think of those who' re ne'er forgot — Their flags came home, wh}' come they not ? Nothing but flags — we hold our breath And view with awe those types of death. Nothing but flags, yet thoughts will come. The heart must pray, though lips be dumb ! They're sacred, pure ; we see no stain On those loved flags, come home again ; Baptized in blood, our purest, best, Tattered and torn, they're now at rest. Moses G. Owen. i87 By perrnissiori, frorn "Acme Haversnck."] THK NATION'S FIRM BULWARK — TllK SONS OF VETERANS. The Sons of Veterans is the most patriotic and unselfish organization on God Ahnighty's footstool. The proudest title on earth is that of an American citizen. The most unselfish patriot in the world is the Union soldier. He gave his home and life in defense of his country. The proudest inheritance is that of a son who.se father wore the blue. The people in the old countries are proud of their blue blood, but the old blue coat our fathers wore is aristocracy enough for us. We would have mankind remember that in rivulets of blood on .southern battle-fields our fathers established the proposition that there is room for but one flag in their country, and that is the stars and stripes. Any other flag, whether it be the red rag of anarchy or the stars and bars of the rebellion, must come down. It will be a sad day for this nation when it forgets that the flaunting of the red flag of anarchy by the mob or the waving of the stars and bars over the grave of a rebel chief is damnable treason. So long as the rebel flag is waved from the housetops, so long as the sons of confederate soldiers organize to perpetuate the memories of the war from their point of view, and teach treason to their children, just so long will it be the duty of the sons of Union soldiers to organize for the purpose of perpetuating the glories of the principle for which they fought. The Sons of Veterans are organized to keep green the graves of the veterans, to care for the helpless veterans and their families, and to inculcate 1 88 the principles of liberty in the minds of the people. We know no North or South, and recognize only loyalty to the flag. As the decimated ranks of the veterans sweep down the western slope we are rushing up the eastern hillside, ready to take the flag from tired hands and preserve it unsullied to the end. We have forty thousand men at present drilled and equipped, who are ready for action at the .shortest possible notice, and the other sixty thousand of the one hundred thous- and meml)ership will, if danger calls, be only a few hours in securing arms to start for the nation's defense. Charles F. Griffin, CoTimarider-iri-Chief of Sons of Veterans. iSg Frorn " Thie Civil War iri Song and Story."] GOV. YATES AND THE AMERICAN FI.AG. Governor Yates, of Illinois, received a letter from a town ill the southern part of the state, in which the writer com- plained that traitors in his town had cut down the American flag, and asked what ought to Ije done in the premises. The Governor promptl}' wrote him as follows : "Whenever 3'ou raise the flag on your own soil or on the public property of the state or country, or at any public celebration, from honest love to that flag and patriotic devo- tion to the country which it symbolizes, and any traitor dares to lay his unhallowed hand upon it to tear it down, then I say shoot him down as you would a dog, and I will pardon you for the offense." 190 Frorri "Tf^e Civil War in Song and Story."] UNDER THE FLAG OF OUR FATHERS. Soldiers are we from the mountain and valley, Soldiers are we from the hill and the plain ; Under the flag of our fathers we rally ; Death for its sake is but living again. We have a history told of our nation, We have a name that must never go down ; Heroes achieved it through toil and privation ; Bear it on bright with its ancient renown ! Who that shall dare say the flag waving o'er us, Which floated in glory from Texas to Maine, Must fall, where our ancestors bore it before us, Writes his own fate on the roll of the slain. Look at it, traitors, and blush to behold it ! Ouail as it fla.shes its stars in the sun ! Think you a hand in the nation will fold it. While there's a hand that can level a gun? Carry it onward, till victory earn it The rights it once owned in the land of the free, Then in God's name, in mir fury we'll turn it Full on the treachery over the sea ! Peace shall unite us again and forever, Though thousands lie cold in the graves of these wars. Those who sur\-ive them shall never prove, never. False to the flag of the stripes and the stars ! George H. Boker. 191 From " Thje Civil War iri Song aqd Story."] RALLY 'ROUND OUR FLAG. Rally 'round the flag, boys — Give it to the breeze ! That's the banner we love On the land and seas. Jirave hearts are under it, Let the traitors brag ; Gallant lads, fire away ! And fight for the flag. Their flag is but a rag — Ours is the true one ; Up with the stars and stripes ! Down with the new one. Let our colors fly, boys — Guard them day and night ; For victory is liberty. And God will bless the right. J.AMES T. Fields. 192 By pernr\ission, (rorn "Acme Haversack."] * HYMN TO THE FLAG. Hail ! peerless flag ! o'er our broad land waving, O'er every ship nian'd 1)}^ our brave tars ; Dearer thro' age for past dangers braving, Float on undaunted, thou banner of stars. Oh, lovely flag ! the bright sun addressing, Smiling, salutes thee daily, his pride ; Happy the breeze with joyful caressing. Adds to thy beauty new graces beside. Oh, valiant flag I when storms of death rattle, Beating thy folds in war's cruel wrath, Shining amidst thy heroes in battle, A'isions of glory illumine their path. Oh, peaceful flag ! with blessings attending Ever we'll pour our love at thy shrine ; Warm hearts surrounding, strong arms defending. Flag of our fathers ! all honor be thine. Comrade E. \V. Foster. Sung at G. A. R. National Encamprrient, Boston, August, 1890. 193 Frorn "The United States Flag," by Preble.] THE TATTERED BANNER. These banners, soiled with dust and smoke, And rent by sliot and shell, That through tlie serried phalanx broke — What terrors could they tell ! What tales of sudden pain and death In every cannon's boom ! When e'en the bravest held his breath. And waited for his doom. To bear these colors aloft was a -signal for the enemy's bullets, often bringing swift and certain death ; but they never trailed in the dust nor lacked a gallant bearer. Anonymous. 194 Frorr\ "The American Flag," by Preble.] OLD GLORY. Thank God ! the struggle's over, peace reigns in all our land, United now as brothers forever let us stand ; One flag, one country, — Union — no North, South, East, or West, Each vieing with each other to do the very best ; With millions of defenders to rally at its call, "Old Glory " is an emblem that truthful speaks to all ; We love to look upon it as it proudly floats on high, No star is darkly blotted, no stripe but of royal dye. A. Ri:.\D Walks. I9.S Fp-om "The American Tribune."] THIC FLAG OI' THK SIXTH IXDIAXA. In 1 86 1, when the Sixth Indiana started to the front tliey had no flag. The fact l)ec()niiiig known to the patriotic ladies of Louisville, Kentucky, they presented the regiment with a fine one as it passed through their city. When it was worn out the State of Indiana furnished a new one. and the old one was sent back to the Governor for .safe keeping. After a lapse of twenty-nine years, upon the occasion of the visit of the survivors of the Sixth Indiana to Loui.sville as the guests of the Louisville Legion, with which regiment it was brigaded during the war, it was very much desired to take the old flag which was given to them by the Louisville ladies to show it to them and to say, " ' Here's yourjlag: We honored it then and we love it now, though its bright colors are faded and it hangs in tatters ; we have brought it to you to-day that we may greet you beneath its sacred folds, point to its scars and crimson stains, and say we tried to do our duty. " But when the committee called upon the State Librarian they were informed that it could not be loaned. It is really a pity that upon such an occasion, and for a flag which never belonged to the state, it could not be loaned on the strength of a bond for a few da vs. 196 Frorn "The Arnerican Flag," by Preble.] RETURN OF THE FLAGS TO THEIR STATES. Aye, bring back the banners and fold them in rest ! They have wrought their high nii.ssions, their holy behest ! Stained with blood, scorched with flame, hanging tattered and torn, Yet dearer, by far, than when bright they were borne By brave hearts to glory ! As we gaze at their tatters, what battle-fields arise. Fields flashing in deeds of sublimest surpri.se ! When earth rocked with thunder, the sky glared with fire. And havoc's red pinion dashed onward in ire ! Deeds deathless in glory ! Press the stars to the lips, clasp the stripes to the heart ! Eet us swear their grand memories shall never depart ! They have waved in this contest of freedom and right, And our eagle shall waft them, wide streaming in light. To our summit of glory ! Tiiere — hope darting beacons, starred .shrines, shall they glow, Lighting liberty's way to the breast of the foe ; 'Till her spear smites with splendor the gloom, and our sun. One broad central orb, shall again brighten one Mighty nation of glory ! Alfred B. Strket. 197 By perrnissiori, frorn " Acm.e Haversack."] OUR BANNER ON THE vSOEDII-R'S lUI-R. Take thy l)aniier ! and whene'er Thou shall press the soldier's bier, And the muffled drum shall beat To the tread of mournful feet ; Then this spangled flag shall be Martial cloak and shroud for thee,. When our weeping eyes shall see, Thy tired form in wakeless sleep. Your bold comrades, r\ow the war is o'er, Will plant tliat baaaer on your grave." 199 OUR FLAG AND THE SOLDIER\S GRAVE. Sleep on, brave heart, the flag you bore Throughout the land at last doth wave. Your bold comrades, now the war is o'er, Will plant that banner on your grave. Enfold him in the stripes and stars. He will not dim the brightest beam ; His blood will tinge the crimson bars, Add richer luster to its gleam. An'onvmoits. 200 Frorn "Following Our Flag," by pertnission- WRAPT IN OUR FLAG. Wrap 'round him the banner, It cost him his breath, He loved it in life Let it shroud him in death, Let it silently sweep in its gorgeous folds O'er the heart asleep and the lips that are cold. Anonymous. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles Thu book is DUE on the last date stam|>ed below. 29 fan Oct 2 6 - S SEP 16. OCT 26 ^^^ Form L9-SerieB 444 L 006 3 7^ 849 5 STATi- SEOOL LOS AWbiUJ^, CAJiifOllNIA