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A Flag Above the Flag

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Jul 25, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 30.

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A Flag Above the Flag

By Editor

At a recent public meeting in Washington, one of the speakers referred to the fact that the only time when any flag could properly occupy a place above the stars and stripes was during a religious service on board war-ships, when the church pennant was hoisted above the American flag. Senator Heyburn, who was present, interrupted the speaker to inquire on what authority the church pennant took precedence of the flag, and later he introduced into the Senate a resolution of inquiry bearing upon this matter. We reprint herewith the reply made by the acting Secretary of the Navy:—
"NAVY DEPARTMENT, "WASHINGTON, D. C., June 17, 1912. "SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of an attested copy of a resolution in the Senate of the United States, dated June 15, 1912:—
" 'That the Secretary of the Navy be, and he is hereby, directed to inform the Senate whether or not at any time or under any circumstances any flag, emblem, or banner is raised above the stars and stripes on any vessel, building, or ground under the jurisdiction of the Navy Department of the United States.'
" 'In compliance with the above resolution, I have the honor to state that the first mention of any flag, emblem, or banner that is raised above the stars and stripes on any vessel under the jurisdiction of the Navy Department of the United States, is contained in the United States Naval Signal-Code, under the approval of the Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, in 1867. Article 45 of this code reads:—
" '45. Church pennant.—Will be hoisted immediately above the ensign at the peak or flagstaff at the time of commencing, and kept hoisted during the continuance of, divine service on board all vessels of the navy.'
" 'This provision has occurred in each succeeding edition of the signal-code; the last edition, published in 1908, contains the following provision:—
" 'The church pennant is to be hoisted over the ensign during the performance of divine service on board vessels of the navy.' Very respectfully, "PHILIP ANDREWS, "Acting Secretary of the Navy. "Hon. James S. Sherman, Vice-President, "President of the Senate, United States Senate, "Washington, D. C."