Wisconsin School for the Deaf - Tattler Yearbook (Delavan, WI)

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A later flag had a coiled rattlesnake, the idea of Benjamin Franklin, with the legend. “Don't tread on me. In 1776 a flag with red and white horizontal stripes and the rattlesnake diagonally extended across it was introduced and was used by the navy for some time. Once more a new flag was adopted. This was the first standard flag of the United States, raised by Washington in the year of 1776 on Prospect Hill near Boston. This flag was the red ensign flag of Great Britain, with white stripes drawn across its red field making thirteen stripes that represented the thirteen colonics. The “Union-Jack containing the king's colors was on the blue canton in the corner. This flag was raised at Washington's headquarters. when the reading of the Declaration of Independence took place on July 4, 1776. Approximately a year and a half later, the well known Betsy Boss flag with its thirteen stripes was presented to Congress by General George Washington, in the year of 1777. Washington together with a committee had decided to employ Betsy Ross, an expert seamstress of that day. to make a national flag. She made it from a sketch that Washington drew. He explained to her the meaning of the three colors used. He said. “We lake the stars from Heaven, and the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her; and the white stripes shall go down to posterity, representing liberty. Mrs. Ross insisted on making the stars five-pointed instead of six. and placed them in a circle in the Held of blue, in imitation of King Arthur’s round table. Thus a new constellation was born and in 1818 was established as our definite Mug by Act of Congress. However, it was destined to change only as the nation grew, for the rising of each new star in the blue field of the canton indicated that a new state hud been admitted to the union, and that enlarged the constellation. Our flag, the Flag of the United States, as we know it today, symbolizes to mankind the birth of the first nation on earth, which was dedicated to personal and religious liberty, a haven where men. women, and children from all over the world, because of religious beliefs, might take refuge and enjoy “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. PERRY'S EXPEDITION TO JAPAN B MARY ANN l.AKKN THK newspapers these days publish a great deal about Jupan's aggressiveness, her ruthless invasion into China, and of her flooding our markets with wares to be sold at low prices. In reading of these atrocities the question arose in my mind, Why does Japan do this? In my search for an answer, I was led to the study of Perry’s expedition to Japan in 1854. that really was the seed from which has grown the modernization, yes. even the aggressiveness, of Japan. In order to better understand the present situation, let us go back to the days when Japan was a hermit nation and learn the reason for this seclusion. For hundreds of years previous to 1542, when Europeans first set foot on these islands off the eastern coast of Asia, the Japanese lived simple lives, perfectly happy in their rice fields, and their fishing industry. Then came some Portuguese sailors to pay them a visit. They were so taken with the beauty of the country’s snowcapped mountain peaks, its silvery waterfalls and its blue lakes, that when they returned home, their enthusiasm spread throughout Europe. As a result missionaries were sent from Portugal and Spain to Christianize thin nation, and traders flocked there from Spain. Portugal, England and the Netherlands. The foreigners soon began fighting among themselves over religion. This, with the spirit of trade for big profits, so thoroughly disgusted the people of Japan that an order was issued by the ruler that all foreigners leave the island or be sentenced to death. However, the Dutch were allowed to remain on a small island of about three acres. With them and the Chinese a limited amount of trade was carried on.

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principled of the Indian Reorganization Act— Indian self government, the conservation of I rid inn lands and resources, and socially directed credit, which means public improvements in the held of education, health, and in relief projects in road building and irrigation. The efforts made in the field of health have resulted in lowering the death rate twelve per cent. Considering the many obstacles that were to be overcome, opposition of those who hud invested money, the Indians’ suspicion of any plan made by the whites for him. and general disrespect for the Indian and his ways, the pro- gress already made has been gratifying. Achievements thus far seem to be leading to a liberal Indian program. While some who have made a careful study of the New Deal think that under it the Indian is happier and more progressive, others among both the Indians and his palefuce brothers object seriously to the plan. They feel that the Indians could be Americanized if a more earnest effort were mnde. and the greed of a certain few white men curbed by legislation. This reformation of the Indian situation is not only interesting but is worthy of every citizen’s whole hearted consideration and support. THE STORY OF OUR FLAG By LILLIAN OSKN OUR flag, as it is known today, is the result of many centuries of struggle and hardships of our forefathers in Europe and America. Its development in the New World symbolizes continued advancement of a powerful but friendly nation. At the beginning of civilization a dag was found necessary. Different tribes of people began using a dag as a symbol to distinguish one tribe or clan—as they sometimes called themselves—from another. The name Hag has an interesting origin. It comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “deogan. meaning to doat, or fly free in the wind. It has the same meaning in many different languages. A national flag, no matter where or what country it represents, is u symbol of patriotism and the good standards of the country. The usual form of a dag is that of an oblong piece of material, either of cotton or of silk bearing signs and figures of what it is representing. The end of the dag. which it fastened to a staff, is called the hoist, and the length, to the free end. is the fly. There are many different ways in which dags are used. On the prow of each ship we see a flag hoisted, showing to which country it belongs. Different positions of a dag are used to form a code by which ships can communicate when in sight of each other. In army camps, in each regiment, on all public school grounds, post offices and many other public buildings, a dag is hoisted some time after sun- rise and floats until before sunset. Flags of different color are often used for different purposes. Each color has a different meuning. A yellow dag on a ship or a hospital is a warning that a person with some contagious disease is under quarantine there; a red flag represents danger: a black flag signifies piracy. However, a black flag is rarely used today. In the early days when the English colonies were being established, u new dag was felt necessary to represent them as one individual organization in a confederation. So in the year of 1701 the British prescribed a merchant flag, with a blue field bearing the cross of St. George in broad red stripes, extending all the way across it. It also bore the diagonal cross of St. Andrew in a narrow white Stripe, in the center of which was a plain white shield. A few years later the New England colonies were allowed to use a blue dag with the red cross of St. George in a white canton, and a globe in the opposite upper corner next to the staff. The globe was changed to a tree on the official dag although it had been used by the colonies for more than thirty years and continued in use with several changes. The idea of a tree is thought to have come from the silver coins, which at that time were minted with the figure of a pine tree on one side. This flag had a background of white, symbolizing purity; with a pine tree in the center. Underneath the tree was printed the words. An Appeal to God.

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Whatever was known concerning Japanese history down to the time of Commodore Perry came chiefly from the Dutch, so the world owes them a debt of gratitude for what they accomplished. For nearly two hundred years Japan was practically a hermit nation, allowing no foreigners in. and forbidding any natives to leave the island. In 1848 the United States began to show a special interest in the opening of negotiations with Japan. There were several reasons for this: American citizens had a great deal of money invested in whale fisheries near Japan, trade hail been opened up between America and China, and chief of the reasons was the discovery of gold in California, making that state a centre of trade with the Far East. To travel from San Francisco to Hong Kong, the ships were obliged to be overloaded with coal. The only remedy would be to establish a coaling station on one of the Japanese Islands. It was Anally decided by the United States government that an expedition under Commodore Matthew C. Perry be sent to negotiate with Japan for such a station. For nearly a whole year Perry spent his time making preparations for the great task he had been chosen to perform. It was not diflicult to got men to join his expedition. As soon as the news of his plans had leaked out. ho was flooded with applications, not only from America but from England. However, he took only those who he was reasonably sure would make no trouble for him and would obey his commands. At last everything was in readiness: and on November 21. 1852, four large vessels slowly sailed out of Norfolk harbor enroute for Japan. In spite of the warning that the Japanese government had by the Dutch of the preparation and coming of this expedition, its bold entrance Into Yedo Hay was a great surprise. As the huge ships plowed through the peaceful waters, the bay was lined with troops and frightened people, who ran to their homes and hid. Perry did not hesitate. The boats were were anchored and the crews landed. Commodore Perry had with him a letter from the President of the United States to the Emperor, explaining the object of the expedi- tion. “It whs. the letter said, to establish a friendship between the two countries, to arrange for privileges of trade, for the care of ship wrecked sailors, and for the appointment of a convenient port where coal and other supplies might be obtained by vessels of the United States. In dealing with the Japanese officials Perry, by his force and assurance of his friendly purpose. made a deep impression. As soon as the letter was delivered, they left the island saying they would return for the answer in the near future. The government of Japan was greatly troubled. It was not in favor of negotiations but was afraid to refuse. It had lived in seclusion so long that it had no knowledge of other nations ways. In spite of Perry’s friendliness. the Japanese didn’t trust one with such great ships and powerful armament. The people were reminded by the Shogun of Japan of what happened in China after the foreigners opened up trade with that country. He said. The policy of a foreign nation is first to trade with her. then to introduce its religion, and then to stir up strife. No. Japan will not submit. We will fight before we will do that!” After Perry left, the government made preparations for defense, as it had only small ships and no armament except rusty swords. Monastery bells and many metal articles of luxury were melted into cannons. On Perry's return with a fleet of seven ships, ho presented the Japanese with various kinds of gifts, made in our factories. After much discussion an agreement was made at a meeting in Knuagawa near Yokohoma. which was then merely a village. This took place March 31. 185-1 It was immediately sent to Washington for ratification. Within a short time there was a rush of other nations into Japan to muko similar terms with the country. Perry’s expedition was the wedge that opened up this once shut-in nation to the world and its advanced ways. It was not very long before this agricultural country had been transformed into a modern industrial nation. Japan developed and became modernized at such great speed that there is little wonder she has reached out for more land to give room for her people and supply natural resources for her manufactories.