Mr. Sherman to Mr. Storer.

No. 60.]

Sir: I inclose herewith a copy of dispatch No. 17, of the 5th instant, from the United States consul at Antwerp, Belgium, calling attention to the desecration in that city of the flag of the United States by the defacement of representations thereof used in connection with advertisements.

The particular instance of desecration to which the consul calls attention is that of the “American stables,” Rue Montigny, 80–82, Antwerp, two of whose advertisements (a handbill and a poster) are herewith inclosed.

There is no Federal law or State law, so far as the Department knows, prohibiting desecration of the national flag, the bills introduced into Congress last winter to that end having failed of enactment.

While, therefore, we have no law applicable to our own citizens, yet you will bring the advertisements in question to the attention of the Belgian Government and ask that it prohibit such desecration of our flag in future, if any proper way be open to it so to do.

Respectfully, yours,

John Sherman.
[Inclosure in No. 60.]

Mr. Lincoln to Mr. Day.

No. 17.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of a poster which has been displayed at different points about the city.

My attention was attracted to this method of advertising the first time about a fortnight ago by seeing a similar placard posted on one of the street corners.

Your attention is respectfully invited to this distasteful desecration of our national emblem in a foreign land, in view of the proposed legislation of Congress last winter. I am uninformed as to whether or not the bill introduced which intended to restrain a like practice in our country became a law.

It is my opinion that resorting to similar means of advertising abroad not only injures the credit and reputation of individual business men, but tends to impair the dignity of American citizenship in the eyes of other peoples.

It seems to me that ways may be found to promote the sale in foreign lands of the products alike of our soil and industry without resorting to a means disgraceful in the eyes of the foreigner as well as repugnant to the good sense of every patriotic citizen.

I am, etc.,

Geo. F. Lincoln, Consul.