On April 4, 1818, the President approved and signed a "bill to establish the flag of the United States." This bill provided "That from and after the fourth day of July next, the flag of the United States be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white; that the union have twenty stars, white in a blue field. That on the admis

sion of every new State into the Union, one star be added to the union of the flag; and that such addition shall take effect on the fourth of July next succeeding such admission." Since then our flag has remained essentially the same, the stripes indicating the number of the original thirteen colonies and the stars representing the number of States.

We venerate our flag for its age as well as for its meaning. Other nations have frequently changed their emblems, but for over one hundred and twenty years our flag has waved over the defenders of our native land. It has traversed the sea in the interest of explorers and navigators. It has protected our seamen and our commerce. It witnessed the laying of the Atlantic cable, and it waved over the ship sent to starving Russia. bore to the Cubans provisions and protection, and to-day, over every regiment in the field, over every vessel on the sea, over almost every public building, and from almost every home, floats the flag of the free.

"Flag of the free heart's hope and home,

By angels' hands to valor given.

Thy stars have lit the welkin dome,

And all thy hues were born in heaven.

Forever float that standard sheet!

Where breathes the foe but falls before us,

With freedom's soil beneath our feet

And freedom's banner streaming o'er us?"

It

T

PRESIDENT WASHINGTON IN

PHILADELPHIA.

HE War of the Revolution was over, and the people

felt that he who had led them safely through the perils of the war could be entrusted with their civil and political liberties. General George Washington was therefore appointed one of a committee to draft a Constitution for the United States. Under this Constitution he was elected the first President of the new nation. While executing the duties of these offices he resided in Philadelphia the greater portion of the time.

On the arrival of Washington, May 13, 1787, many distinguished men and officers of the army escorted him into the city, amid the cheers of an appreciative people, the chiming of bells, and the discharge of artillery. The convention to frame a National Constitution, which Washington had come to attend, was ordered to convene May 14; but only two States, Virginia and Pennsylvania, were represented on that day. It was not until the 25th that a sufficient number of delegates arrived to form a quorum.

On the 28th of May the convention met in Independence Hall, in the very room in which Washington had received his appointment as commander in chief of the American army. When the assembly was called to order it was agreed that "nothing spoken in the Convention be printed or otherwise published or communicated without leave." At this point we lose almost all record of the proceedings of that famous assembly. We know, however, that they remained in session for over four months,

and that when they adjourned, September 17, a Constitution had been framed by the unanimous assent of the States present. This Constitution was the product of such excellent judgment that it remains essentially the same to-day as originally drafted, a masterpiece of political wisdom. Although there were many things in this new constitution of which Washington did not approve, yet he thought it the best Constitution that could be adopted by the States, and he said: "We exhibit at present the novel and astonishing spectacle of a whole people deliberating calmly on what form of government will be most conducive to their happiness, and deciding with an unexpected degree of unanimity in favor of a system which they conceive calculated to answer the purpose."

When the convention adjourned the members went to the City Tavern and took cordial leave of one another. On the following day General Washington left Philadelphia for Mount Vernon.

The entire nation now looked upon Washington as the only one who could successfully enforce the new Constitution. He had been chairman of the committee which framed it, and his influence would greatly aid in establishing it from the beginning. The people therefore unanimously elected George Washington the first President of the United States, February 3, 1789. On this occasion he wrote to his friend Lafayette: "Nothing but harmony, honesty, industry, and frugality are necessary to make us a great and happy people. Happily the present posture of affairs, and the prevailing disposition of my countrymen, promise to coöperate in establishing those four great and essential pillars of public felicity."

On the afternoon of the 20th of April, 1789, the people of Philadelphia were wild with enthusiasm, for at I P.M. "his Excellency George Washington, President elect of the United States," was to arrive in Philadelphia. All the city dignitaries, the city troop, and a great concourse of people went to Gray's Ferry Bridge to meet him and escort him into the city. The bridge was decorated with laurel, and a magnificent triumphal arch spanned the road. As Washington rode under this arch on horseback at the head of the procession, a small boy concealed overhead in the shrubbery let fall upon him a civic crown. of laurels. The act had its intended effect, and the people cheered themselves hoarse. The crowd followed the President to the City Tavern, where two hundred and fifty covers were laid for dinner. Here the supreme executive council, judges of the Supreme Court, mayor, aldermen, common council, trustees and faculty of the University of Pennsylvania, tendered him their respects as a pledge of their regard and fidelity. The following morning Washington set out for New York, and it was not until the 2d of September, 1790, that he again entered the city, with Martha Washington, escorted by the city troop, the light infantry, and the artillery; and they were given such a welcome as only the city of Philadelphia could give to a national hero, who had saved his country.

After the United States Congress had fixed upon Philadelphia as the seat of government, Washington came to Philadelphia and lived in the house provided for him by the city corporation. This house was owned by Robert Morris, and was situated on the south side of Market