AT the Centennial Celebration and World’s Exhibition at the city of
Philadelphia, 1876, “THE FLAGS OF ALL NATIONS” waved from the highest
pinnacles, but the flashing, glittering “STAR SPANGLED BANNER” far
outshone them all; like a mighty _flame of Liberty_ flying through
the skies, it blazed and waved, streamed and flew as the victorious
Starry Banner of the Firmament, proclaiming by its expanding, snapping,
cracking, sharper, louder sounds, the establishment of Freedom,
Liberty, Independence, and the Union of the World! whilst in every
house its graceful folds protected each and all in their own religious,
family worship; the household Idol of Peace that ever and anon,
silently wafted every daily prayer and song of praise, to the God of
our Fathers, the true and holy Creator of the Universe.