THE Flag of Virginia was a rattlesnake with blue tongue forked like
lightning, and with thirteen rattles, looking like a fierce Anaconda
coiled, but with head and tail up, painted on white silk, having the
motto, “Don’t tread on me!” It was considered as an emblem of wisdom,
and of endless duration as a representative of America, an animal found
in no other part of the world. The eye of this creature excels in
brightness that of any other animal; it has no eyelids and is therefore
an emblem of vigilance. It never begins an attack nor ever surrenders,
it is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage. It never
wounds until it has given notice to its enemies of their danger. Its
wounds, however small, are decisive and fatal. The power of fascination
attributed to it resembles America. Those who look steadily in its
eyes are delighted, and involuntarily advance toward, and having once
approached it, never leave it.