Lincoln raises new flag
By James Breig
As America marches toward the 150th anniversaries of the Battle of Gettysburg (in July) and the Gettysburg Address (in November), this space has begun sharing some stories about Abraham Lincoln and the U.S. flag.
Last week, some of his flag-related speeches from 1861, while he was on his way to his first inauguration, were recounted. This week, we’ll focus on what he did on Feb. 22 in Philadelphia.
The date: George Washington’s birthday. The place: the launching point of American history. It’s not surprising, therefore, that Lincoln was invited to raise a flag at Independence Hall. Making the moment even more special was the flag itself. It carried a new star, representing the statehood of Kansas, which had been admitted to the Union on Jan. 29.
“When that flag was originally raised here,” the president-elect said, “it had but 13 stars. I wish to call your attention to the fact that, under the blessing of God, each additional star added to that flag has given additional prosperity and happiness to this country until it has advanced to its present condition.”
Then he added: “Its welfare in the future, as well as in the past, is in your hands.” The remark drew cheers from the assembled people, who were well aware of the onrushing Civil War.
“I think,” Lincoln continued, “we may promise ourselves that not only the new star placed upon that flag shall be permitted to remain there to our permanent prosperity for years to come, but additional ones shall from time to time be placed there, until we shall number…five hundred millions of happy and prosperous people.”
As the audience clapped loudly, Lincoln proceeded to what he called “the very agreeable duty assigned me” – raising the new flag that now displayed 34 stars.