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NUMBER 316.
The Omaha Illustrated . Bee
Entfrcd Second Class at Omaha Pout office Published Weeklj hj The Pee Publishing Co. Subscript ion, ?2.."0 Per Year.
JCLY 2. 1005.
V
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Men Who Made Possible the Immortal Declaration that We Celebrate
EACH recurring anniversary of tha nation's birth
weerus to bring onto higher, brighter relief the
rharacter, ability and wisdom of the men who
signed the immortal Declaration of Independ
ence. The cougreHs of 1776, which assembled in Inde
pendence hall, Philadelphia, contained a remarkable
proportion of able and distinguished men. The eulogy
of those men can "never bo exhausted. The more thor
oughly we study their characters and lives the more
deeply graven on every American heart will be their'
genius, virtues and sacrifices. "If we are not this day
wanting in our duty to our country," exclaimed Rich
ard Henry Lee, "the names of the American legislators of
1776 will be placed by posterity at the side of .those of
Theseus, f Lycurgus, of Romulus, of Nuiua, of the
three Williams of Nassau and of all those whose mem
ory has been and forever will be dear to virtuous men
and good citizens."
Popular knowledge of the birthplace, education,
pursuits and conditions of life of -those who stood spon
sor's at Liberty's cradle and there pledged to each other
their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor, can
not but be Interesting and Instructive. With the ex
ception of eight who had come In youth or early man
hood, they were native Americans. John Hancock,
whose bold signature as president of the continental
congress stood alone with I hat of Charles Thompson, its
secretary, at the foot of the tirst publication, was Vorn
in Massachusetts In 1737. He beau life as a clerk in
the counting house of his uncle. At the age of 27 he In
herited a fortune, which placed him in affluence.
Joshua Rnrtlett was born In Massachusetts In 1729 and
was a sueeesful medical prttctlt loner before he entered
public life. William Whipple was born at Kittery, now
Maine. In 17;. In his youth be followed the sea and
later became ft merchants at Portsmouth. N. II. Mat
thew Thornton was born in Ireland in 1714. He was a
prominent physician. John Adams, the champion of
freedom, was born In Massachusetts in 1735. He was a
distinguished lawyer. Samuel Adams was born in Bos
ton In 172'-'. Intended for the bar by his father, he be
8ii life, however, ri a merchant's clerk. Robert Treat
Paine, born In Massachusetts in 1731. begnu life as a
minister of tbe gospel, but soon left It for the legal pro
fession. Men of Varied Occupations
Elbrldge Gerry, bom at Marhlehead, Mass., 1714,
educated at Harvard, where he graduated with credit.
Entering Into mercantile business, he acquired both
reputation and property. Stephen liopkius, born at
SeitUate, It. I., 1707; his early years were passed in
agricultural pursuits. Later he engaged in mercantile
business In Providence and almost Immediately entered
Into political life. William Ellery, born at Newport in
1727, graduated at Harvard and practiced law with dis
tinction. Roger Sherman was boni at Newton, Mass., '
in 1721. He began life as a shoemaker's apprentice, and,
finding himself at his father's death charged with the,
support of a large family, he nobly performed his task'
by following his humble trade. Struggling against
tflfflcultles and the want of early education, be ,masi ,
tered all and placed himself high among tho 1 ramers of
the constitution; a perfect type of an American, a noble
example of our country's best production, a self-made
man. Samuel Huntington was bora at Haddam, Conn..
1732. and praitlced law at Norwich when first known in
public life. - William Williams, born at Lebanon, Conn..
In 1731, graduated at Harvard and commenced the
study of divinity with his father, ne subsequently em
braced a mercantile career, in which he was must suc
cessful. Oliver Wolcott, born at Windsor, Conn., in
1726, graduated at Yale, began life as a captain in the
French and Indian wars. At the peace he studied medi
cine, but soon after entered public life. William Floyd,
born at Retauket, L. I., was a prosperous farmer,
rhlllp Livingston,, born at Albany, N. Y., 1716, gradu
ated at Yale, and, in affluent circumstances immediately
took an active part in politics. Lewis Morris, born in
1716, at the Manor of Morrlsania, which he Inherited
on the decease of his father. He graduated at Yale
and became active in politics. Although enjoying a
competency, he was a practical farmer. Francis Lewis,
born at Llandaff, Wales, in 1713. He was educated at
Westminster, apprenticed to a London merchant, and
when of age emigrated to this country and entered
Into mercantile business.
Richard Stockton, born at Frlnceton, N. J., 1730. Graduated at
Princeton college. Was a prominent Judge, and from the position of
his family and fortune was freed from tho early struggle to which
many of his colleagues were subjected. Francis Hopkinson, born In
Philadelphia, in 1737, of an Influential and wealthy family. He was
a lawyer, an admiralty Judge of reputation and a man of letters. John
Witherspoon, born at Tester, Scotland, in 1722; a descendant of John
Knox. He graduated at the University of F.dlnburg. He was a dis
tinguished and popular preacher. John Hart, a thrifty fanner of
Hopewell, N. J., who, though not so well educated as others of the
New Jersey delegation, stepped ,
forward and filled his place as
firmly and as consistently as
did more scholarly and Influen
tial men. Abraham Clark, born
at Elisabeth, N. J., in 1726. Too
feeble to labor, he turned his at
tention to surveying and the
study of law, but his fellow pro
vincials early selecting him at
an object of their confidence la
public life.
Robert Morris, the financier
of the revolution, was born at
Lancashire, England, In 1733.
He bad the advantage of a lib
eral education, and entering Into
mercantile life he became the
boldest and most prominent op
erator in the country in goods,
stocks and lands. It was to his
financial skill and expedients as
financial agent and the Unking
of his own wealth, credit and
destiny to that of his country,
that the success of the war of
the revolution was largely due.
Benjamin Rush was born at Ber
berry. Pa., In 1743, graduated at
Princeton and after studying
medicine In Philadelphia took his
degree of doctor of medicine at
Fdlnburg. He was one of the
most widely known physicians of
Patriotic Partnership '
can of his day. George Clymer, born in Philadelphia in 1739, a mer
chant, soldier and statesman. John Morton, born In Ridley, Fa., in
1724, was of Swedish descent and an Intelligent, well educated sur
veyor. James Smith, born in Ireland in 17130, and in 1730 emigrated
with his parents to this country; was a lawyer and active in military
matters. George Taylor, born also in Ireland, in 1716. An emigrant
at 20, he was an apprentice In iron works at Durham, Pa., and subse
quently erected a large iron works at Lehigh. James Wilson, born In
Scotland In 1742, emigrated to this country at 24. Regan life as a
teacher and lawyer. George Ross, born at Newcastle, DeL, in 1730.
Liberally educated, he established himself in the practice jot lnw at
the age of 21. Caesar Rodney, born at Dover, Del., In 1730, of English
descent. George Read, born in Maryland in 1734, of a family of Irish
origin, possessed of wealth and position; was prominent as a lawyer.
Thomas McKean, born In Pennsylvania iu 1734; lawyer, and soldier,
distinguished, it is said, as the only man who served in the continental
congress without intermission during the whole period of the war.
Samuel Chase, born in Maryland in 1741, rend law at Annapolis and
was admitted to practice at 20 years of ago.
Charles Carroll of Carrollton, born In 1737 of a family of Irish
The Stars and StripesOur Emblem of Patriotism
his day.
TVrJ-mln Trank'in, bom at
Boston. Mass., In 1706. an er
rand boy, printer, editor of a
newspaper, of almanacs and
hooks, author, compiler. Inven
tor, philosopher, economist and
ambassador, he stands easily
ahead, tn the opinion of thw
world generally, as the foremost
and most widely known Amert-
ATRIOTI8M has become the basis of a great
American Industry. Because of the amazing
Increase of patriotic sentiment in this coun
try during the last decade the manufacture
of American flags has quadrupled. More than 3.000,
000 star-spangled banners annually are made of silk
and burning, but these form only a small portion of
the total number of United States flags that are born,
that live and die between January and January.
In remote farming districts, where ten years ago
the natioual colors were rarely seen, every suitable
occasion witnesess a flag display. The flag has been
added to the household goods from Maine to Cali
fornia and from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian
line. So far as Individual iopularity is concerned, it
ranks with Uie firecracker ou Independence day, and
outranks alr else on thnt day of national patriotic
observance, May 30.
While the flagmakers are busy all the year. Oo
tobejrr November, December, and January are the
strenuous mouths. Sales are greatest in the late
winter and in the spring, while the largest deliveries
are in April, May and June, June being known as
the, smallest month of the three. The greatest de
mand Is from the New England, central aud western
states, the latter being by far the largest consumers.
Pennsylvania leads all other ktate iu the number and
cost of flags purchased.
One of the more Interesting facts In connection
with the making aud sale of the American flag Is
that each year shows Mcinoilul day. May 30, to be
growing iu popularity. It is the strength of the Me
morial day spirit iu Pennsylvania, for instance, that
places that state at the head of the flag purchasing
column. The tiny flags that annually make Arling
ton cemetery af Washington, where so many thou
sand soldiers sleep, almost gorgeous. Is most tn evi
dence. The 6x10 feet banner is markedly in favor at
this time, however, ana smaller flags of muslin and
silk are used In large numbers.
During the last fifteen years July 4 has slowly
been giving way to May 80, so far as the demand for
flags Is concerned. Not that the spirit of patriotism
as regards Independence day is lessening, but that
each years sees the number of soldiers' graves In
creasing and a consequent addition of interest to Me
morial day. The Spanish-American war seems to
strengthen the popular desire to observe May 30.
Up to 180S flag sentiment seemed sleeping. With
the outbreak of the Spanish-American war came a
change. Not only were more flags wanted, but the
demand for better materials grew apace. Where,' for
Instance, the tiny paper flags had been used for din
ner favors, silk flags were sought Gradually this
feeling has extended, until the silk aud the wool bunt
ing flags are chief in favor, the most popular of the
larger flags being 5x8 and 6x10 feet. ' The tendency
Is toward a long flag, for the economical reason that
when the end of such a banner has been whipped
Into rags by the w Ind, it can be cut off, hemmed over,
and remain In proportion.
The government flags, of which there are many
different varieties, are exclusively of silk and of wool
buntlug. The sizes most In use are 4Vix8 aud 9x14
feet. More flags are made for the army thau for
the navy, but the quality of the latter averages
higher. The flags flown by the cruiser Olympla
when, as Admiral Dewey's flagship, It led the mem
orable' parade In the Hudson river at New York City
In 1SW, were perhaps as flue silken specimens of the
flagmaker's art as ever existed. 1
The government makes some of its flags In its
factory at the Brooklyn navy yard, but the majority
are from prlvste establishments. In fact, 85 per cent
of the annual output of United States flags is made
In New York City, although the western factories
have gained In the last five years.
Throughout the western states the tendency
toward a more enthusiastic observance of all patri
otic occasions Is rapidly growing. Most active among
the observers of Independence day, so far as the flag
demand indicates, are foreign-born citizens, the ma
jority of whom came to this country in the steerage.
This is especially noticeable In tho grain growing
states in Minnesota, the Dakotas, Nebraska and
then through the southwest, whose vast stretches of
rlrgln soil, touched by tho magic wand of Irrigation,
have within the last three years put forth crops that
have given causo for rejoicing. These huge crops
apparently have stimulated the flag demand, aud the
flag distributing houses In Chicago, St. Louis and
Kansas City have this year sent out 25 per cent more
flags thau ever before. It would seem, therefore,
viewed from the flag sale' standpoint, that the ma
jority of Immigrants not only really adopt this coun
try as their own, but develop a genuine spirit of pa
triotism, one form of which Is a lavish display of tho
nation's flag.
Making the American flag Is. the work of skilled
labor. Girls and women alone possess the degree of
ability required to obtain best results. Only the
heaviest and least complicated features of the work
fall to the men. First, the stripes are cut from huge
rolls of red or white silk or bunting. Then they are
basted together and later turned over to girls orat
Ing sewing machines that stitch at the rate of 2.100
stitciies n minute. The lock-stitch Is used, and the
thread fed from spools, each holding Sf.nnrt yards.
The stripes stitched together, the flag Is ready to
receive the union. Red is the predominant color In
a flag. The union Is the blue field which apyars in
the left upter corner of a flag, and R contains forty
live star, one for each state. Silk flag stars are of
embroidered silk. On wool burning flags they are of
muslin. The union Itself is of the same material as
origin. He was educated In France and pursued the
study of law at Bruges. Imdon and Pari. ' Thomas
Stone, born In Maryland In 174:!. He read law and en
tered Into practice at Annapolis. William Paca, born In
Maryland iu 173". Graduntcd at Philadelphia college;
was a lawyer. Richard Henry Lee was born in Vir
ginia In 1732, received his education at Wakefield, In
Yorkshire. George Wythe, born In Virgnla, In 1726.
Fully prepared by previous education, he entered the
practice of law and from the lirst showed much ability.
Thomas Jefferson, born iu Virgnla, in 1743. It Is
only necessary to say that this, the central figure of the
day we celebrate, went to his rest at the ago of H4, on
the anniversary of the crowning act of his greatness,
July 4, 126, leaving his biography ns patriot, states
man, philosopher, author and diplomatist written in the
memory of the people. Thomas Nelson, Jr., born in Vir
ginia In 173. Visited England fit 15 and graduated at
Trinity college, Cambridge.
Benjamin Harrison, born In Virginia. His ances
tors were'lu Virginia ns early as 1640, the year of the
breaking out of the English revolution which cost
Charles I his crown. He was educated at the College
of William and Mary. Carter Braxton, born at New
lngton, Va., 1736; was educated also at tho Collego of
William and Mary. Francis Llghtfoot Iee, born In Vir
ginia in 1734. He was carefully educated under Rev.
Dr. Craig, a Scottish clergyman, and, like Ids brother,
Richard Hour, was um early and consistent patriot.
William Hooper, born in Boston in 1732, graduated at
Harvard and read law. He settled in North Carolina
and soon stood at the head of tho bar. Joseph Hewes,
born at Kingston, N. J., In 1730, of a Quaker family.
After studying at Frlnceton and pursuing commercial
business in Philadelphia, at tho age of 30 he settled at
Edeutou, N. C.
Noted Professional Men
John Peun, born In Virgnla iu 1741. Although bid
oportuuitles for education were limited, be made such
good use of his time as to be admitted to the bar when
21 years of age. Edward Rutledge, of Irish parentage,
a soldier and lawyer, born In Charleston, 1719. Thomas
Heywood, Jr., born in South Carolina In 1746, was lib
erally educated, and, like Johu Laurens, Thomas Lynch,
Jr., aud others of the sons of wealthy planters, com
pleted his studies In England. Thomas Lynch, jr.,
born in South Carolina .in 1749; was educated at
Eton and at Cambridge. In 1772 he returned to South
Carolina to practice law, belug described as "a finished
gentleman, a thing very raro In this country at that
period and since." Arthur Mlddleton, born In South
Carolina, In 1743. Educated in England at Hackney
and Westminster schools and graduated at Cambridge,
His earliest appearance In public was as signer of the
colonial paper money. Lyman Hall, born in Connecticut
In 1731, entered Yale college at IS, and after taking his
degree studied medicine. Ou the completion of his
studies he removed to South Carolina, but the same
year located in Georgia and enteredfupon a successful
practice. Button Gwinett, born In England in 1732.
He emigrated from Bristol in 1770 to South Carolina
and two years after settled In Georgia. Through the
Influence of Dr. Hall, it is said, he became an advocate
t)f the colonies. George -Walton, born In Frederick
county Virginia, In 1740. From a carpenter's appren
tlce, seeking knowledge In hours stolen from sleep, by
the light of a pine knot, he acquired an eminent posi
tion In the Georgia bar and on the bench.
To sum up, it will be seen thnt nearly one-half of
the signers were members of the legal profession; thir
teen of them were planters or farmers, nine were mer
chants, five physicians, two mechanics, one a clergyman,
oue a mariner and one a surveyor. Many of tbera
were engaged In mingled pursuits and nearly all of
them were more or less interested in agriculture. A
considerable majority appear to have been professional
men. Tho youngest member of the signers was 27, the
eldest 70 years of age. The mass of the signers were
in the most vigorous season of life forty-two out of
fifty-six being between the nges of 30 and DO years.
The average age in July, 1776, was 43 years. To this
combination of the ardor of youth, has it been said,
with the vigor of matured manhood and the caution of
experienced age may be ascribed the enterprise, energy
and wisdom of those councils which elicited' the eujo-
glum of Chatham, secured for a feeble people tho con
fidence of sovereignities, and founded a nation whoso presence occu
pies nearly half a hemisphere aud whose power and Influence are felt
and respected throughout tho world.
It would be a difficult task to collect In public life examples In
the face of danger and tinder tribulations, of lives so illustrious and
happy. Not one of all that sacred band died with a stain upon his
name. The annals of the world can present no political body the lives
of whose members, minutely traced, exhibit so much of the zeal of the
patriot, dignified by the virtues of the man. Though we have made
some departures from the simplicity and honest zeal for the welfare
of the nation which existed la
those days, chiefly, perhaps, by
the more general distribution of
wealth and consequent growth
of luxury aud extravagance,
though some men delegated
with power have forgot right;
that many have pursued their
own Interested views to the det
riment of their country aud cor
ruption has prevailed, our fath
ers left to us with this birth
right of liberty a corrective;
which no other people possesses,
In the force of public opinion,
in the freedom of the press and
In the power of tho ballot
These are blessings never suffi
ciently to bo esteemed the day
Is happy for calling them to re
membrance. Let each American
today renew within his heart the
pledge given by the men of
1776, to the principles which
they established; cement his
faith to the constitution wlrbu
they and their compatriots
erected and consecrated. Then
shall our land take its proper
place among the nations of tho
earth; then shall gather around
Its altar emancipated million;
then shall Its institutions rest on
political tr.ii'.i, :,avlurf pti'..tn.'
morals and private worth for Its
bae. and from now to ilie re
. inntest end of time it shall pro
claim to the world the soul In
spiring theme that all men are
created free and equal and en
dowed by their Creator with cer
tain natural and Inalienable
rights, smone which are life,
liberty and tho pursuit of ban.
piness.
the body of the flag. A star is half the width of the
stripe of the flag containing it
Muslin stars are cut out by machinery at the
rate of 3,000 an hour. Embroidered stars are cut out
In block form by the use of die, sewing machines be
ing utilized for the embroidering process. These
stars are- flve-pointed, each point being precisely like
Its fellow. No band tan become so skilled as to
make one point the counterpart of another, eo tho
dies, which never err, are used.
The muslin from which the stars are cut out Is
folded in forty-five thicknesses and placed beneath a
die attached to a press operated by foot power. A
sharp pressure of the treadle brings the die down
uion the cloth with such force that the sharp steel
cuts as cleanly as a surgeon' knife.
After the basting threads aud stray pieces of silk
and wool are removed the unions are placed in posi
tion. Two unions are required for each flag, one on
cither side. The flag then passes to the flulsher,
who head It that Is, sew strong canvas bunds across
the headings. In the corners of these bands are
placed grouimets or eyelets. Such flags arc not at
tached to staffs. If the flags are meaut for the staff
they are not grommeted.
Iu addition to the flags made In the fashion de-
scribed, millions of printed flags are manufactured
every year. If the material used Is cotton or silk,
the flags are printed from copper rollers, in the same
fashion that print goods are created. Muslin rings
and those of paper aro printed on an ordinary cylin
der press, from iron blocks aud heavy electrotypes.
It is plain that flag making holds a place among
the great Industries of the United States, and that it
Is certain to extend In exact proportion with the
growth of the national patriotic spirit. It really
stands, however, In a class by Itself, for It is the only
Industry whose growth, prosierlty and position find
patriotism their sole basin.-Pearson.
