I live in an area of the United States that was mistakenly settled by loyalists after the American Revolution who were fleeing and thought that they had made it safely to Canada.

This situation and attitudes continued through the Civil War period, when only a very few from this village actually fought in the Civil War. Most went back to Canada for the duration of the war.

After the 20th century was over, most locals here actually were acclimated to the idea of being U.S. citizens. Many families now have traditions of working in government jobs of all kinds.

The street I live on usually has several national flags flying on any sunny day. That’s the thing that made me take notice of today, being a sunny day, and a total lack of national flags here one day after Election Day. Isn’t anyone celebrating another successful and peaceful cycle of our government in choosing our commander in chief?

Is it the old loyalist or the new prejudice that is causing this interesting phenomenon? It seems like I’m the only one flying the American flag around here today. Aren’t we all Americans together, or are we all just separate gangs?

Edward L. Barlow

Clayton

Thousands of readers like you have made Northern New York Newspapers the number one ranked website* for local news and sports coverage in the north country.

You can continue on to this article in a few seconds, or you can visit one of our websites:

• Watertown Daily Times
• The Ogdensburg Journal
• Daily Courier-Observer