OCR Text |
Show MEANING OF "AT HALF MAST At First Universal Symbol Wat Token of Submission and Respect For 6nimy, Perhsps you have noticed that when, ever a prominent peraou dies, espe-clally espe-clally If he Is connected with the gov. oroment, the flags on public build, lngs are hoisted only part of the way up, remark the Toronto Mail and Ex-preaa. Ex-preaa. Thla I called half mast." Did you ever atop to think whut con nee tlon there could he between a flutf that waa not properly hoisted aud the death of a great man? . Ever since flags were used In war It has been the custom to have the flag of the superior or conquering nation above that of the Inferior or vanquish, ed. When an army found Itself hope-lessly hope-lessly beaten it hauled Us flag down far enough for the flag of the victor to be placed above It ou the same pole. This waa a token not only of submission, but of ruHpcct. Id those days when a famous soldier sol-dier died flaps were lowered out of respect to bis memory. The custom long ago passed from purely military mili-tary usage to public llfo of all kinds, the flag flying nt half mat being a sign that the dead man was worthy of universal respect. The apace left above It la for the flag of the great conqueror of all the angel of death. |