The Story of Our Flag, Colonial and National: With Historical Sketch of the Quakeress Betsy Ross — John Shaqi
The Story of Our Flag, Colonial and National: With Historical Sketch of the Quakeress Betsy RossWeaver, Addie Guthrie
History
The Story of Our Flag, Colonial and National: With Historical Sketch of the Quakeress Betsy Ross
Weaver, Addie Guthrie
Flags -- United States; Ross, Betsy, 1752-1836
He said, “Swear anew and teach the oath to our children, that with
God’s help the American Republic shall stand unmoved though all the
powers of piracy and European jealousy should combine to overthrow
it. That we shall have in the future as we have had in the past,
one country, one constitution, one destiny; and that when we shall
have passed from earth, and the acts of to-day shall be matters of
history, and the dark power which sought our overthrow shall have been
overthrown, our sons may gather strength from our example in every
contest with despotism that time may have in store to try their virtue,
and that they may rally under the Stars and Stripes with our old time
war cry,
“‘Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable.’”
UNCLE SAM.
This term originated at the time of our war with England in 1812.
Provisions were purchased at Troy, N. Y., and the agent was Elbert
Anderson, the work being superintended by Ebenezer and Samuel Wilson,
the packages being marked E. A. U. S. Samuel Wilson was known all over
as Uncle Sam and he was often joked about his amount of provisions,
then the newspapers took it up and the term Uncle Sam came into
general use and is typical of our increasing national prosperity.
Quite recently a portrait of an actual personage whose features are
identical with those made familiar by caricatures of Uncle Sam, was
found in possession of a family near Toledo, Ohio. The portrait was
painted about 1818, but nothing is known of the shrewd, kindly old
man represented. His face was undoubtedly the origin of the accepted
caricature.
BROTHER JONATHAN.
Jonathan Trumbull, governor of Connecticut, was a warm friend of
General Washington, who had great confidence in his judgment.
When in need of ammunition and the question arose as to where they
could get the necessary means for defense Washington said: “We will
consult Brother Jonathan.”
After that whenever they needed help the expression became a common one
and naturally came to mean the United States Government.
THE AMERICAN EAGLE.
Our bald headed eagle, so called because the feathers on the top of
the head are white, was named the Washington eagle by Audubon. Like
Washington it was brave and fearless, and as his name and greatness is
known the world over, so the greatest of birds can soar to the heights
beyond all others.
In 1785 it became the emblem of the United States.
It is used on the tips of flag staffs, on coins, on the United States
seals, and on the shield of liberty.
BANNERS AND STANDARDS.
It is not generally known that the tassels which are pendent
customarily from the upper part of banners and standards, and the
fringe which surrounds them are relics of the practice of observing
sacred emblems. They originated in pagan devices and the garments of
priests and were consecrated to specific forms of worship.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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