Miners Flag - Created by Edwin Waters

Miners Flag - Created by Edwin Waters

While we are fighting for our God given rights to mine, it occurred to me that we need a banner and a symbol to be united under. I have long known about the “Don’t Tread on Me” flag. I remember creating a original version of the flag out of construction paper in elementary school for a class project. In recent years, I think of the National Rifle Association, and the fight to keep the Constitutional rights to own and bare arms. The new version that I have created, now known as “The Miners Flag” includes a pick and shovel being closely guarded by the rattlesnake. Meaning that miners and prospectors will “Not” give up our rights to mine without a fight, especially those rights to mine on federal land.

The original flag is known as the Gadsden flag and was a patriotic symbol carefully warning the creation of bigger government and regulations that restrict personal freedom. There are two variations of the Miners Flag, as seen above. Either one may be used for personal use.

“I observed on one of the drums belonging to the marines now raising, there was painted a Rattle-Snake, with this modest motto under it, ‘Don’t tread on me.’ As I know it is the custom to have some device on the arms of every country, I supposed this may have been intended for the arms of America.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

I like to think that the original flag represents all freedoms and privileges granted to us by the United States Constitution. Federal laws created by men who had no hidden agenda or making shady deals behind closed doors. The original fathers thought long and hard and they knew that mining was essential for our economy.

The rattlesnake is found only in America. The rattlesnake has sharp eyes, and “may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance.” “She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage. … she never wounds ’till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her.”