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Editorial
August 17, 1786
Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Metaphorical editorial warning of national disunity, depicted as the U.S. flag torn in thirteen places symbolizing the states, with Congress unable to repair it due to weak federal government, necessitating a complete remake by 'dame Necessity.'
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
AMERICANS BEWARE!
INTELLIGENCE EXTRAORDINARY.
On the fourth of July last, the flag of the United States, was found in Broad-way in the city of New-York, rent in thirteen places, separating the stripes with exactness, but yet the whole hanging together by liney wooly, uneven ligaments, spun out first of March, 1781.--In this situation it was carried to Congress, whereupon they appointed a committee, consisting of a member from each State, to patch it up with ideas of public dangers and private discord--but they reported that there was not force enough in the federal government, to repair the injury.--Congress then sent it to dame Necessity; but that old Matron, who keeps entire the flag of each nation in the world, has decidedly determined, that the rents were made by the pure force of nature, and can never be closed--but that the whole must be carded and spun over again, so as to render the colours indistinguishable, and then and not until then, the cloth will have firm texture.
INTELLIGENCE EXTRAORDINARY.
On the fourth of July last, the flag of the United States, was found in Broad-way in the city of New-York, rent in thirteen places, separating the stripes with exactness, but yet the whole hanging together by liney wooly, uneven ligaments, spun out first of March, 1781.--In this situation it was carried to Congress, whereupon they appointed a committee, consisting of a member from each State, to patch it up with ideas of public dangers and private discord--but they reported that there was not force enough in the federal government, to repair the injury.--Congress then sent it to dame Necessity; but that old Matron, who keeps entire the flag of each nation in the world, has decidedly determined, that the rents were made by the pure force of nature, and can never be closed--but that the whole must be carded and spun over again, so as to render the colours indistinguishable, and then and not until then, the cloth will have firm texture.
What sub-type of article is it?
Constitutional
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
American Union
Federal Weakness
National Discord
State Divisions
Constitutional Repair
What entities or persons were involved?
Congress
Federal Government
Dame Necessity
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Weakness Of The Federal Government And Need For Stronger Union
Stance / Tone
Alarmist Warning Of National Disunity
Key Figures
Congress
Federal Government
Dame Necessity
Key Arguments
Flag Of The United States Found Rent In Thirteen Places On July 4
Committee From Each State Unable To Repair It Due To Lack Of Federal Force
Rents Made By Natural Force And Cannot Be Patched
Whole Must Be Carded And Spun Over Again To Make Colors Indistinguishable For Firm Texture