The Flag, p. 2
Dublin Core
Title
The Flag, p. 2
Description
“Forever float that standard sheet! Where breathes the foe, but falls before us, With Freedom’s soul beneath our feet And Freedom’s banner streaming o’er us.”
We are American – intensely, ardently American, and will yield to none in our devotion to “our country’s flag of stars.” We desire always to it in the ascendant, and as it has been foremost in every battle-field for American liberty, and for American Independence – so should it be foremost on every occasion when flags wave, and banners are thrown to the breeze on American soil.
In celebrating the birthday of national glory, when the infant colonies emerged from their vassalage to Great Britain, and sprung giant-like into independent States, and took their stand among the nations of the earth, should flags of other nationalities be ignored? When they become subversive to the American Flag, and bow to its supremacy, should they not be allowed a place in procession in celebrating the glorious event?
We have given this subject a calm investigation; divesting ourselves of all prejudice, and feeling a pride in the stars and stripes, the insignia not only of our country’s independence, but of universal freedom, we can see no good reason why the flags of other nationalities should not have a place in the procession on the Fourth of July. It is no degradation to American loyalty, nor does it deteriorate aught from American Patriotism.
In the Revolutionary War American and French Soldiers fought for American independence beneath the fleur de lis, the emblem of France. In the war of 1812 the green flag of Erin waved aloft with the “star spangled banner,” nor were the services of Irish soldiers refused because they brought with them their country’s ancient emblem of nationality.
As it was in those days, so let it be now. Let every nationality throw its flag to the breeze on our Independence Day; but let all acknowledge the supremacy of the American flag, and while they show their love of home, testify their allegiance to the emblem of Republicanism."
We are American – intensely, ardently American, and will yield to none in our devotion to “our country’s flag of stars.” We desire always to it in the ascendant, and as it has been foremost in every battle-field for American liberty, and for American Independence – so should it be foremost on every occasion when flags wave, and banners are thrown to the breeze on American soil.
In celebrating the birthday of national glory, when the infant colonies emerged from their vassalage to Great Britain, and sprung giant-like into independent States, and took their stand among the nations of the earth, should flags of other nationalities be ignored? When they become subversive to the American Flag, and bow to its supremacy, should they not be allowed a place in procession in celebrating the glorious event?
We have given this subject a calm investigation; divesting ourselves of all prejudice, and feeling a pride in the stars and stripes, the insignia not only of our country’s independence, but of universal freedom, we can see no good reason why the flags of other nationalities should not have a place in the procession on the Fourth of July. It is no degradation to American loyalty, nor does it deteriorate aught from American Patriotism.
In the Revolutionary War American and French Soldiers fought for American independence beneath the fleur de lis, the emblem of France. In the war of 1812 the green flag of Erin waved aloft with the “star spangled banner,” nor were the services of Irish soldiers refused because they brought with them their country’s ancient emblem of nationality.
As it was in those days, so let it be now. Let every nationality throw its flag to the breeze on our Independence Day; but let all acknowledge the supremacy of the American flag, and while they show their love of home, testify their allegiance to the emblem of Republicanism."
Creator
N/A
Publisher
San Fransisco Elevator
Date
1873-6-21
Collection
Citation
N/A, “The Flag, p. 2,” African American Fourth of July, accessed May 1, 2024, https://africanamerican4th.omeka.net/items/show/54.