The one which rolls up the greatest vote in an election, or which in any way surpasses the others.
1840. Which is the Banner State?—The whigs at an early stage of the electioneering for the next president, proposed to designate whichever state should give the Harrison ticket the largest majority, as the banner state. There has been considerable rivalry for the honor.—Niles’ National Register, lix. Dec. 5, p. 210/1.
1840. The banner county.—Designation is claimed by Worcester, Massachusetts, which gave Harrison the largest aggregate majority, viz: 4,773.—Id., Dec. 5., p. 201/2.
1841. An attempt to prove that Vermont, and not Kentucky, was entitled to the honor of “the Banner State.”—Henry Clay in the U.S. Senate, March 1: Cong. Globe, p. 332, App.
1849. Mr. Marshall is a millwright and is a native of New Jersey, the good old “banner state” of the Revolution.—Theodore T. Johnson, ‘Sights in the Gold Region,’ p. 168 (N.Y.).
1862. Illinois is still the banner State.—Knickerbocker Mag., lx. 371 (Oct.).
1909. It is clear that the Good Shepherd is the banner parish in its offering on Easter Day.—St. Stephen’s Leaflet, Portland, Oregon (May).
