Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 205, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1918 — Selection of the Stars in the Flag of United States [ARTICLE]

Selection of the Stars in the Flag of United States

Whatever conclusions may be reached as to the originator of the Idea of selecting stars to represent the states of the federal union, one thing is certain; and that is that the stars which Adorn the American flag were never borrowed from the coat of arms of any American citizen, not excepting that of George Washington. In the first place, General Washington who, as some authorities think, owned the stars selected for the purpose, was far from being the “father of his country” in the early part of 1777, when the Star-Spangled Banner came into being. At that time the military situation of the country was at its lowest ebb, and Washington was beset by more than one cabal of jealous rivals. No, opr forefathers who formed this glorious union looked higher than man for a symbol* of sovereignty, and sought the heavens, which “declare the glory of God,” for a sign, and selected something from the firmament, which “showeth His handiwork;” or there would have been no “In God We Trust” on our coins today.—Admiral Chester In Yale Review.