Chapter C: S. YOUNG in The Richmond Terminal (1)

The better part of one’s life consists of his friendships.

A. LINCOLN.

Friendship and love
Take second place to loyalty and honor. CALDERON.

Friendship is necessary to life. BISHOP WM. F. MCDOWELL.

Friendship’s the wine of life. YOUNG’S _Night Thoughts_.

Friendship is a sheltering tree. S. T. COLERIDGE.

No man is useless while he has a friend.

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.

Our wisest friends are life’s best book. CALDERON.

Poor is he, and beggar, that hath no friends at all. GRACIAN.

The face of an old friend is like a ray of sunshine through dark and
gloomy clouds. A. LINCOLN.

The friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,
Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel.
SHAKESPEARE.

And can true friendship be tested, if not in the hour of misfortune?
The Mayor of St. Petersburg to Clara Barton.

WHEN CARES GROW HEAVY AND PLEASURES LIGHT

It became incumbent upon Clara Barton to write tens of thousands of autographs, and inscriptions in books. As a philosopher, many such inscriptions are interesting and instructive. Characteristic of her is the following inscription which she wrote in a book presented to a personal friend:

My Dear General and Friend:

When life’s track has grown long, and the road bed flinty and hard;
when the cares grow heavy and the pleasures light; and the tired soul
reaches out for help, may you find those who will be as loyal and
faithful to you as you have ever been to me.

Fraternally,
CLARA BARTON.

You have bound yourself so closely round my heart,
Friend of mine,
That it seems as if our paths could never part,
Friend of mine!
Oft the vine forsakes the wall
Stars have e’en been known to fall,
You are not like star nor vine,
Friend of mine!

LXXV

The Red Cross Organization has been built up largely by the heroic
work of Clara Barton. FREDERICK H. GILLETT, Chairman (1900) House
Committee on Foreign Relations; now Speaker of the House of
Representatives.

Honor to whom honor is due. ST. PAUL.

Never did an organization select so wisely and elect so judiciously as
did the National Red Cross Association when it chose Clara Barton to
preside over its beneficent work.

Johnstown (Pa.) _Democrat_.

In Cuba, the Red Cross Society snatched thousands from the grave and
made the sufferings of other thousands much lighter. But for Clara
Barton America would today have been a stranger to the Red Cross and
its beneficent work. DOCTOR HENRY M. LATHROP. Author of “_Under the
Red Cross; or the Spanish-American War_.”

Miss Barton’s well-known ability, her long devotion to the noble work
of extending relief to suffering in different lands, as well as her
highest character as a woman, commend her to the highest consideration
and good will of all people.

PRESIDENT WILLIAM MCKINLEY.

Officers and men unite in saying that too much praise cannot be given
those noble Christian women, Clara Barton and her assistants, for
their gentle care, their tender solicitude and untiring efforts in
aiding and comforting our sick and wounded soldiers. They came as
ministering angels to the suffering army at Santiago.

GENERAL JOHN J. PERSHING (in 1919).

WILLIAM McKINLEY

The President, March 4, 1897–September 14, 1901.

Whatever Clara Barton says, and does, is always honest and right.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.

Miss Barton, I have long wanted to thank you for what you did for my
boys in Cuba.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.

Mr. President, I could not have done what I did in Cuba, if you had
not stood by me so nobly.
CLARA BARTON.
]

A RED CROSS RED LETTER DAY

For thirteen years Clara Barton had tried to secure from Congress and the President a National Charter for the Red Cross. The bill had been before the 56th Congress, and passed. It was then before the President for his signature. He sent for Miss Barton. She went, accompanied by a few personal friends. They were at the White House, at the appointed hour. After a few moments of waiting, the President came into the room, receiving Miss Barton in a beautiful manner. He put his left arm around her, and holding her right hand in his said:

“Miss Barton, I have long wanted an opportunity to thank you for what you did for my boys in Cuba.”

She replied: “Mr. President I deeply appreciate your thanks, but I could not have done what I did in Cuba if you had not stood by me so nobly.” Then the President said:—

“Miss Barton, I am proud of this opportunity to sign this bill.” Miss Barton then introduced one by one her friends to the President. With his usual graciousness, he chatted for a few moments with his guests, then sat down at his desk where Secretary Cortelyou had placed the bill. With a plain steel pen he signed his name: “William McKinley, June ,” and then stopped, looked over his desk and asked, “Captain where is my calendar?” An old soldier looked high and low but couldn’t find the missing calendar. The calendar was standing on one corner of the broad, flat-topped desk, in another part of the room. Seizing it, one of the party tore off “June 5th,” and placed it before the President. He said “thank you, sir,” then signed “6th, 1900.” Rising from his seat, and extending his hand, he said: “Miss Barton, I will make you a present of this pen.” Graciously appreciative Miss Barton replied: “I thank you, Mr. President. I will preserve it in the archives of the Red Cross as a treasured memento of this occasion.”

LXXVI

As a nurse in the Civil War Clara Barton performed invaluable service.
Pueblo (Colo.) _Star Journal._

Clara Barton in the theme of her address here, “The Ministering
Angel,” urged the organization of Nurses’ Associations and Training
Schools for Nurses. Atlanta (Ga.) _Constitution_.

The great war-nurse, friend of the world. The loftiest eloquence could
give her none that more clearly expressed the keynote of her life.
Grand Rapids (Mich.) _Press_.

Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain that
they may live. EZEKIEL.

Nothing is impossible to Organized Womanhood,—united in aims and
effort. CAROLINE M. SEVERANCE—“Mother of Clubs.”

American nurses are covering their profession with a glory that will
live forever is the report that comes from France.

AMERICAN RED CROSS.

The nurse is proud to be chosen from millions of women anxious to care
for the sick, as the representative of American womanhood.

AMERICAN RED CROSS.

Thirty-two thousand graduate nurses have said to the American Red
Cross, “We are ready, use us.” AMERICAN RED CROSS.

Profane histories are three-fourths filled with the details of battles
and sieges, and almost silent as to any provision for the sick and
wounded. CLARA BARTON.

There were probably surgeons and nurses long before there were
military chieftains. CLARA BARTON.

Agrippina, wife of the General, distributed clothing and dressings to
the wounded. CLARA BARTON.

Courage of the soldier awakes the courage of woman. EMERSON.

Scarcely had man made his first move in organizing the Red Cross when
the jeweled hand of royal woman glistened beside him, and right
royally has she done her part. CLARA BARTON.

Women are, by nature, much better fitted for nurses than men can be.
CLARA BARTON.

Had there been need for them, the Red Cross could easily have
recruited an army of twenty-five thousand nurses from the flower of
American womanhood. CLARA BARTON.

Large organizations of women, the best in the country and I believe
the best in the world, have faithfully labored with me to merge the
Red Cross into their societies, as a part of woman’s work.

CLARA BARTON.

I have wrought day after day and night after night, so sorry for the
_necessity_, so glad for the opportunity,—ministering with my own
hands and strength to the dying wants of the patriot-martyrs, who fell
for their country and mine. CLARA BARTON.

To the army of nurses, brave, generous and true who, either as
auxiliaries at home or as nurses in the field, made up that
magnificent array of womanhood ready for sacrifice on the altar of
humanity and their country—no words of mine can do justice.

CLARA BARTON.

Three great conflicts were seen by Miss Barton, and her career is an
example to thousands of women who today are trying to heal human
suffering. Buffalo (N. Y.) _Express_.

PATRIOTIC WOMEN OF AMERICA SELF-SACRIFICING

Nursing in war is of comparatively recent origin. While it is recorded that Fabiola, a patrician Roman lady, founded a hospital in A.D. 380, and 600 nurses in the early part of the fifth century were in the hospitals in Alexandria, nursing in war hospitals dates from the Crimean War; and on the battlefields, from our Civil War. The Crimean War gave the first real impulse to this humanitarian work, and the Civil War gave added luster to the glory of this work of humanity, as did the Franco-Prussian War and the Spanish-American War. But the late war broke all records; now, war-nursing will continue until “Nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn to war any more.”

The true disciples of humanity in war are the nurses, wearing the sign of the Red Cross and whose sacred mission it is to bind up the soldier’s wounds and “To heal all manner of sickness and all manner of diseases.” In the World War, reports show that there were approximately 11,600 American Red Cross nurses in service over-seas.

The total number of nurses employed:
Army Nurse Corps, Regulars and Reserves 22,854
Navy Nurse Corps, Regulars and Reserves 1,500
Nurses assigned directly under the Red Cross for
service overseas 604
Nurses assigned to U. S. Public Health Service in
this country—extra military zones, essential
war industries plants; marine hospitals 284
———
Total 25,242

The cost for operation for June 30, 1917–July 1, 1918, was
$197,180.00.

Total assignments of Red Cross nurses in foreign activities:
To the Army 17,931
To the Navy 1,058
To the U. S. Public Health Service 284
To the Red Cross nurses 604
———
Total 19,877

The Red Cross has furnished equipment to approximately 12,000 nurses and lay women personnel engaged in foreign war service, and to nurses in cantonments and naval hospitals in this country, at an approximate cost of $2,000,000.

Personnel equipped by the Red Cross for overseas duty, from the beginning of the war to December 31st, 1918, at the following cost:

Army $2,031,120.00
Navy 60,120.00
Red Cross 138,960.00
—————————————
12,546 nurses—Total cost $2,230,200.00

As to the work of the American Red Cross Clara Barton says: “History records the wonderful achievements of the Red Cross, the greatest of relief organizations, though it cannot record the untold suffering which has been averted by it.” As to the Red Cross war-nursing, she says: “There can be no estimate of the misery assuaged and the deaths prevented by the unselfish zeal and devotion of the nurses of the Red Cross.” In prophecy she says:

And what would they do if war came again?
The scarlet cross floats where all was blank then.
They would bind on their “brassards” and march to the fray.
And the man liveth not who could say to them nay;
They would stand with you now, as they stood with you then,—
The nurses, consolers, and saviours of men.

LXXVII

Clara Barton started the Red Cross alone.

Boston (Mass.) _Transcript_.

Miss Clara Barton, the American Red Cross is your society alone, and
none other we will patronize. G. MOYNIER, President, International Red
Cross Committee, Geneva, Switzerland.

The total expense connected with the acceptance of the Treaty by this
Government, in addition to the personal service of more than five
years, was defrayed individually by Clara Barton. Red Cross Committee
(in 1903). House Document No. 552, Vol. 49, 58th Cong.

If we heed the teachings of history we shall not forget that in the
life of every nation circumstances may arise when a resort to arms can
alone save it from dishonor.—We must be prepared to enforce any policy
which we think it wise to adopt. CHESTER A. ARTHUR, The President. (In
advocacy before Congress of Clara Barton’s Red Cross Measure).

Legislation by Congress is needful to accomplish the humane end that
your society has in view. It gives me, however, great pleasure, Miss
Barton, to state that I shall be happy to give any (Red Cross) measure
which you may propose careful attention and consideration. JAMES G.
BLAINE, Secretary of State (in 1881).

The first official advocate of the Red Cross measure, and fearless
friend from its presentation in 1877, was Omar D. Conger, now Senator
from Michigan, then a member of the House.

CLARA BARTON (Sept. 6, 1882).

JAMES A. GARFIELD
The President, March 4, 1881–September 19, 1881.

Executive Mansion.
Will the Secretary of State please hear Miss Barton on the subject
herein referred to? J. A. GARFIELD.

The first tribute to Clara Barton in her Red Cross measure, March 30,
1881.

Clara Barton, friend and counselor of Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S.
Grant, of Garfield, of Hayes, Harrison, Cleveland and McKinley.
Organized the American Red Cross and was appointed for life by
Garfield. While the republic lives and womanhood is honored, her
place is sure among the millions she has blest and whose name and
fame they will cherish and revere.
KATE BROWNLEE SHERWOOD,
in a letter to the Toledo (Ohio) _Times_.
]

CHESTER A. ARTHUR
The President, September 19, 1881–March 4, 1885.

The President in whose administration the American Red Cross was
approved by the U. S. Government, also the first President of the
Board of Consultation, American Red Cross Society.

Washington, March 3, 1882.

_Whereas_ (certain facts of Red Cross history here detailed)....

Now, therefore, the President of the United States of America, by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate, do hereby declare that
the United States accede to the said Convention of October 20, 1868.

Done at Washington this first day of March in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty-two, and of the Independence of
the United States the one hundred and sixth.

By the President, CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

FREDERICK T. FRELINGHUYSEN,
Secretary of State.
]

In 1877 Monsieur Moynier, President of the International Red Cross
Committee, decided to make a further effort to obtain the adherence to
the Treaty by our Government. For this purpose a special letter was
sent to Miss Barton to deliver to President Hayes. MABEL T.
BOARDMAN—In “_Under the Red Cross at Home and Abroad_.”

In 1869 Clara Barton went to Geneva, Switzerland. She was visited
there by the President and members of the International Committee for
Relief and of the Wounded in War, who came to learn why the United
States had refused to sign the Treaty of Geneva.—Years of devoted
missionary work by Miss Barton with preoccupied officials and a
heedless, short-sighted public at length bore fruit. MARY R.
PARKMAN—Author of “_Heroines of Service_.”

Miss Barton, I trust you will press this matter upon our present
administration with all the weight of your well-earned influence.
Having myself somewhat ignominiously failed to get any encouragement
for this (Red Cross) measure from two administrations, I leave it in
your more fortunate hands, hoping that the time is ripe for a less
jealous policy than American isolation in international movements for
extending and universalizing mercy towards the victims in war. DR. H.
W. BELLOWS (Nov. 21, 1881).

Later—Miss Barton, I advise you to give it up as hopeless.

DR. H. W. BELLOWS
(Ex-Chairman U. S. Sanitary Commission).

Miss Clara Barton, I thank you in the name of all of us (myself and
colleagues of the International Committee).—Thanks to a perseverance
and zeal which has surmounted every obstacle. Wishing to testify to
you its gratitude for the services you have already rendered to the
Red Cross (in securing the adherence of the United States to the
Treaty), the Committee decided to offer to you one of the medals which
a German engraver caused to be struck off in honor of the Red Cross.
Please to regard it only as a simple memorial, and as a proof of the
esteem and gratitude we feel for you. G. MOYNIER, President Red Cross
International Committee.

NOTE.—The silver medal referred to is beautifully engraved with the
coat of arms of the nations within the Treaty compact,—the medal being
a model both of skillful design and exquisite workmanship.

Department of State,
Washington, D. C.
February 16, 1883.

My dear Miss Barton:

It affords me great pleasure to transmit a parcel containing a book
presented to you by Her Majesty, the Empress of Germany, as a token of
her high appreciation of the success of your efforts for the formation
of an Association of the Red Cross in America.—Congratulating you upon
the compliment which the Empress has paid to you by her action in
sending you this gift I am, my dear Madam,

Very truly yours,
SEVELLON A. BROWN,
Chief Clerk.

On the night that came to Europe the news of the accession of the U.
S. Government to the Treaty of Geneva (news sent by cable) there were
lit bonfires in the streets of Switzerland, France, Germany and Spain.
THE AUTHOR.

If I live to return to my country (from Switzerland) I will try to
make my people understand the Red Cross and that Treaty.

CLARA BARTON.

Weak and weary from the war-soaked fields of Europe, I brought the
germs of the thrice-rejected Red Cross of Geneva, and with personal
solicitations from the international Committee sought its adoption.
CLARA BARTON.

I stood with this unknown (Red Cross) immigrant from the little
Republic of Switzerland, outside the doors of the Government, for five
years before I could secure for him citizenship papers and recognition
as a desirable resident of the United States.

CLARA BARTON.

Perhaps no act of this age or country has reflected more merit abroad
upon those especially active in it than this simple and beneficent Red
Cross measure. CLARA BARTON.

Transitions are neither rapid nor easy. Dark days, if not dark ages,
have shadowed them all. CLARA BARTON.

The Red Cross is one of the thresholds to the Temple of Peace.

CLARA BARTON, President, Red Cross.

Respect for the rights of others is peace.

BENITO JUAREZ, President, Republic of Mexico.

The history of a country is _mainly_ the history of wars.

CLARA BARTON.

Men have worshipped at Valkyria’s shrine and followed her siren lead
until war has cost a million times more than the whole world is worth;
poured out the best blood and crushed the finest forms that God has
ever created. CLARA BARTON.

There is in the Red Cross no entangling alliances that any but a
barbarian at war can feel any restraint. CLARA BARTON.

There is not a peace society on the face of the earth today, nor can
there be one, so potent, so effectual against war as the Red Cross of
Geneva. CLARA BARTON.

There can be no estimate of the misery assuaged, and the deaths
prevented, by the unselfish zeal and devotion of the Red Cross.

CLARA BARTON.

Your children and your children’s children will need the Red Cross,
when your hands are powerless to do that which is within your grasp.
CLARA BARTON.

OPPOSITION—THE AMERICAN RED CROSS “COMPLETE VICTORY”

She had served in Europe with a brassard on her arm; she had served in the camp, on the march, in the hospital, in the smoke of battle; she had bound up the wounds, soothed in a foreign tongue the dying; and there had learned her first Red Cross lessons. She had visited the Solferino battle ground where Dunant caught the humane inspiration for relieving distress of victims in war. She had breathed the spirit of great minds in the Red Cross world movement. She was armed _cap-a-pie_ for a humane warfare. She made a vow, “If I live——;”—the vow of woman is a decree, unrecorded.

Since 1864 the Red Cross measure had been before the American people. Dr. Henry W. Bellows, of more than national fame as a diplomat and humanitarian, through a period of ten years had failed of a respectful consideration. For nearly two decades man had failed—signally failed; what could woman do?

The vow of woman! that’s all between failure and success. The woman with the vow lived to return to America. She “pestered” her friends with her visionary scheme; she haunted the offices of Senators and Representatives; she pled her cause before the Secretary of State and the President. With her logic and eloquence she combated “it’s an entangling alliance with foreign powers;” “it would encourage war;” “it’s a war policy in the interest of war-makers;” “it’s un-American;” “it would demoralize army discipline;” “the military doesn’t want it, Congress doesn’t want it, the people don’t want it;” “Secretary of State Seward years ago gave the ultimatum: ‘The Government wishes to act as a free agent with option in the premises and in its own good time;’” “Dr. Bellows has given it up;” “it’s no use, Miss Barton, to discuss this question, it has been before the American people for many years and it’s a dead issue, forever settled.”

Alone her task was wrought,
Alone the battle fought.

She took the rostrum, travelling from place to place throughout the country; she appealed to the people in the name of God and humanity. She was denounced as “that war woman;” “that woman who is trying to put something over on the people;” “something behind it, or she wouldn’t be spending her own money;” “wonder what she’s going to get out of it, anyway?”

Senator John Sherman was then a tower of strength in this country. She approached him on the subject. He was against it; said that he did not see any use of going to this trouble; that making such preparation for war would have a tendency to agitate the public, and bring on war. Oh, no, Miss Barton, I can’t support such foreign organization as is your proposed Red Cross. Besides, we will never have another war in this country. Having given his final answer and subsided, the ever-ready-with-answer Miss Barton remarked that it seemed to her years ago, back in 1858, a certain Senator Sherman had made such a statement in the Senate. Caught in a trap set by himself, yet graciously smiling, the Senator replied, “Yes, I believe we did have a little brush after that.” A second “brush” occurred, in 1898. Senator Sherman, then Secretary of State, had occasion in connection with Red Cross work to issue to the head of the Navy the following order: “I have the honor to commend Miss Barton to the kind attention of your department.”

One of the ablest arguments ever presented on any national issue was presented in an address in November, 1881, by Clara Barton on the Red Cross issue “To the President, Congress and the People of the United States.” In that masterful address among other things she said: “Yes, war is a great wrong and sin and, because it is, I would provide not only for but against it. But here comes the speculative theorist! Isn’t it encouraging a bad principle? Wouldn’t it be better to do away with all war? Wouldn’t peace societies be better? Oh, yes, my friend, as much better as the millennium would be better than this, but the millennium is not here. Hard facts are here; war is here; war is the outgrowth, indicator and relic of barbarism. Civilization alone will do away with it, and scarcely a quarter of the earth is yet civilized, and that quarter not beyond the possibilities of war. It is a long step yet to permanent peace.... Friends, was it accident, or was it Providence, which made it one of the last acts of James A. Garfield, while in health, to pledge himself to urge upon the representatives of his in Congress assembled this great national step for the relief and care of wounded men? Living or dying, it was his act and wish, and no member of that honored, considerate, and humane body but will feel himself in some manner holden to see it carried out.”

Among the first who became champions in her cause for the Red Cross were Senators Conger of Michigan, William Windom of Minnesota, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and who was the first to investigate, and take the matter up, as a member of President Garfield’s Cabinet. Senator E. G. Lapham, of New York, “who spared neither time nor thought, patience nor labor, in his legal investigations of the whole matter;” Senators Morgan of Alabama, Edmonds of Vermont, Hawley of Connecticut, Anthony of Rhode Island, Hoar of Massachusetts, “all accorded to it their willing interest and aid.” And also she had the support of the eminent Secretary of State James G. Blaine, Presidents Garfield and Arthur, as well as many other statesmen of whose services on this measure there has been left no official record.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS (in 1898)

_Resolved_: That this conference declares that in obtaining the
accession
the United States of America to the Convention of Geneva, Miss Clara
Barton has well merited the gratitude of the world.—INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE
OF THE RED CROSS, Geneva, Switzerland, 1884.
]

Early Red Cross history reads like a tale of romance from some long ago past century, the leading woman character inspirited by a power superhuman. Was Clara Barton the Founder of the American Red Cross? Of the millions of Americans who would esteem such honor, no one else so much as lays claim to it. In appreciation, Monsieur Moynier, President of the International Red Cross Committee, in an address delivered in Europe on September 2, 1882, on “The Foundation of the American Society of the Red Cross” in part said: “Its whole history is associated with a name already known to you—that of Miss Barton. Without the energy and perseverance of this remarkable woman we should probably not for a long time have had the pleasure of seeing the Red Cross revived in the United States. We will not repeat here what we have said elsewhere of the claims of Miss Barton to your gratitude;—we know that on the first of March she gained a complete victory.”

Commenting on her struggles, and expressing her natural desire for the Red Cross, Clara Barton says: “A time will come when I shall lay down my work. Out of the many years I have given to it has grown one great, natural desire, a desire to leave my little immigrant of twenty-seven years ago a great National Institution, in the hands of the people, supported by the people, for their mutual help and strength in the face of disaster; and I would have those who take it up and follow in our footsteps freed from the severity of toil, the anguish of perplexity, uncertainty, misunderstanding, and often privations, which have been ours in the past.”

LXXVIII

War, although more tragic, is not the only evil that assails humanity.
CLARA BARTON.

Do you know that more than 1,500,000 persons were killed or injured in
automobile accidents in 1921? _Boston American_, May 16, 1922.

Not nearly all the sick and crippled are on the battlefield, nor is
all the danger there. CLARA BARTON.

Peace has her battlefields, no less than war. CLARA BARTON.

Day by day men and women are being maimed and killed in our great
industrial struggle, and in the rush and hurry of our strenuous life.
It is in the mitigation of the horrors of this strife, and of this
struggle, that the First Aid Department of the Red Cross is to find
its mission and its work. E. HOWE, Superintendent of the First Aid
Department, American National Red Cross (December 8, 1903).

The mission of the First Aid (National First Aid Association of
America) is to preserve the name of Clara Barton all over the country.
The work she accomplished during the Civil War placed her at the head
of the women of the country at that time, and her name should stand
forever before the American people. We all know how England is
reverencing the name of Florence Nightingale, and it is for America to
preserve the name of her Florence Nightingale in Clara Barton whose
efforts have been so world-wide as to place her at the head of woman’s
work for humanity throughout the world. MRS. J. SEWALL REED, first
Acting President, National First Aid Association of America (in
address to 9th annual meeting of the association held May 7, 1914).

The work of the National First Aid Association of America, which was
founded by the noble Clara Barton, continues to “Carry On” in the
philanthropic spirit which it has inherited from her. The association
is practically a college for National First Aid work, offering one
course of lectures, one textbook, one examination in kind, for all to
follow. The handsome diploma which is only granted to students
attaining 80 per cent., or over, upon a thorough examination is the
prized possession of thousands of graduates all over the United
States, Alaska, Panama, Canada and England. Thus do we honor our
president, Clara Barton, in death—world honored as she was in life for
her achievements for suffering humanity; for upon each diploma the
association has placed these words—“Clara Barton, Founder and
President.” ROSCOE GREEN WELLS, present Acting President, National
First Aid Association of America. October 15, 1921.

Clara Barton was a world worker for suffering humanity, and our first
president. As a perpetual tribute to her memory the National First Aid
Association of America has established her name as “President—In
Memoriam.” Clara Barton has passed on, but the noble spirit which
lived within her continues to live in her last great national
endeavor. MARY KENSEL WELLS, Secretary of the National First Aid
Association of America. October 16, 1921.

The First Aid will become time-honored in America, for it has come to
stay. Its character is broad and firm, its title clear; and although
young its organization is complete. It has its own characteristics, in
keeping with its motives,—neither ambition, self-seeking, nor
vain-glory, but good-will, helpfulness, kindliness, the spirit of Him
who gave his life for others, whose example we seek to follow, and
whose blessed birth was God’s great Christmas gift to the world. CLARA
BARTON (Christmas, 1905), President, the National First Aid
Association of America.

GREETINGS

To the Friends of these, and other, days:

“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Ay! Many New Years, each happier than the last.

“The unerring records affirm that on Christmas day of 1821, 84 years ago, I commenced this earthly life; still, by the blessing of God I am strong and well, knowing neither illness nor fatigue, disability nor despondency, and take the privilege of bringing to you an outline of My Later Work (First Aid). * * * Work has always been a part of the best religion I had.”

CLARA BARTON.
(In 1905.)

NATIONAL FIRST AID ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

(Clara Barton, President In Memoriam; and First Aid Department in the
American National Red Cross)

On February 9, 1903, there was established in the American National Red Cross a department known as “First Aid to the Injured.” Mr. Edward Howe, a member of the St. John Ambulance Association of London, England, was made the Superintendent of the department.

On December 8, 1903, Section 7 of the By-Laws to the Constitution was adopted and provided for its permanent operation—the formation of classes of instruction in first aid, methods of treatment of the injured and other necessary provisions. On December 8, 1903, Superintendent Howe made his first annual report, including the approval of thirty-five States of the Union, through the Governors respectively; also his report of its successful inception in Massachusetts. “The American Amendment” to the Red Cross Treaty of Geneva, and relating to national disasters, was thus followed by the First Aid Department to the Red Cross.

There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths
Where highways never ran;—
But let me live by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

After Clara Barton’s retirement from the Presidency of the Red Cross in 1904, the First Aid Department was discontinued, but was reëstablished January 2, 1910. Independent of the American National Red Cross Clara Barton organized the National First Aid Association of America. She was the President of the Association while she lived and, since her death, to perpetuate the Clara Barton spirit and to be a permanent Memorial to the Founder, Clara Barton is officially recognized as

“The President In Memoriam.”

The National First Aid Association of America was the development of a little New England organization named The New England First Aid Association, and Clara Barton was the Chairman of its Advisory Board. When the work grew and calls came for classes from western and southern states, it was Clara Barton who suggested the value of national incorporation. Therefore, on April 18, 1905, The National First Aid Association of America was incorporated, under the laws of the District of Columbia, and Clara Barton accepted the Presidency.

“To Clara Barton’s First Aid,” thus addressed, are many letters which arrive at the headquarters of The National First Aid Association of America in Arlington, Massachusetts. Although not the corporate name of the last great work of Clara Barton, it serves the purpose of demonstrating that First Aid and Clara Barton are inseparable.

The real tribute of Clara Barton to the organization, which is today paying tribute to her, lies in the following words of welcome which she delivered at the second annual meeting of The National First Aid Association of America in 1907, as its President. Opening her address by reading a letter from former field workers, she continued:—

“They are not with us, and I have given this soulful letter in their place.

“I have read it because it speaks the silent sentiment of a body of people, few of whom are here, and few of whom you know. From far off scattered homes they watch the flickering blaze of this new bonfire, with an anxious tender interest you little dream of. Below its sparkling flame they see the embers from which it springs. They live over again the terrible fields of woe where the sufferers suffered, and the dying died; where, in the moment of consternation paralyzing the whole land, they stood, the sudden vanguard of order and relief, till other help could reach—never asking for help—never shouting for aid nor money, but trusting to the great hearts of the people to render what they had to render, when they should understand the need. This, friends, was First Aid, and the people were the doctors. We held life in the injured till they could be reached.

“Did our method fail? Let the old friends answer. Was a more satisfactory relief record ever made? Let the swollen Ohio and Mississippi, Johnstown, the Sea Islands, Armenia, and Galveston make reply. It was the foundation of knowledge through experience gained there and then that makes this work and this day possible. These are the smouldering embers watched from afar.

“But this, friends, is the giving, and the teaching of mere material aid for human suffering; all to be done over and over again to the end of time, and no one the wiser, no one knowing any better what to do than before. This was charity. Blessed be it for ‘the greatest of these is charity.’ Leave it to do its work in its own way.

“But out of this has come to us another feature of human beneficence, having its foundation in knowledge; when one shall know, not only how to give, but how to do, and possibly prevent; when every man may understand his wounded brother’s need and how to meet it; when the mother shall know how to save her child in accident; when even the child shall be taught how to lessen the pain or to save the life of its playmate—then comes the real help.

“Think, friends, what it would be—yes, what it will be, when all the rough, sturdy men of danger, living every hour in the face of accident and death, shall know what to do in the moment for his writhing companion in toil; when the homes—the children in the streets and in the schools—shall all possess the knowledge which this method of human beneficence teaches—this is First Aid—this is what it stands for—the lessons which it inculcates and its faithful apostles teach.

“So young, so tiny, this beginning seems to you, scarcely meriting the attention or the aid of busy people.

“But, watch it, busy men and women, it will bear watching.

“We are here today to learn something of what it has accomplished in a year.... I am dumb with amazement. The very thought of the diligence—the tirelessness—the cheerful alacrity—the bravery with which obstacles have been attacked—the courage with which they have been overcome—the single handedness—the small means and the great results astonish, and gratify me. So much for so little. Let me step aside and give place to the report which will tell us all.”

The association is today what its name implies—The National Association of First Aid in America. It is to the American people what the St. John Ambulance Association is to England, and the St. Andrews Ambulance Association is to Scotland. It is a college of National First Aid instruction—offering one textbook, one course of lectures, one examination, one diploma in kind for all.

For the past nine years, since the death of the Founder, it has given service the Clara Barton way—promptly, efficiently, thoroughly—and its classes send forth each year hundreds of National First Aid graduates who are capable men and women, and who wear the little medallion of National First Aid service (which only a graduate may purchase and wear), out into a world of suffering humanity. Word of their activities comes back to national headquarters from many fields—even from far off India, South America, and the Hawaiian Islands. One graduate sent back word from the Soudan, Africa, “What would we have done without National First Aid when there is only one medical doctor to every 500,000 natives?”

Clara Barton said of The National First Aid Association of America: “Another work reaches out its hands to me and I have taken them. The humane and far sighted are pressing to its standard—the standard of organized First Aid to the Injured.”

The true history of Clara Barton should not leave out the work of The National First Aid Association of America, Clara Barton’s last work. If so, the history of the great philanthropist becomes an unfinished record. The association stands today as a working memorial to Clara Barton. It continues to serve the American people under her name. Without ostentation it continues its humane service, making friends, sending forth efficient graduates, and carrying systematic and organized First Aid instruction to every part of the country.

By a leading cosmopolitan newspaper: “It is said that every year more than 11,000,000 persons, about one-tenth of the total population of the United States, fall downstairs, get run over, drown, lean too far out of the window or peer into a gun they ‘didn’t think was loaded,’ meeting death or injury in these and kindred ways. Statisticians say that, when war claims a victim, accident takes four victims.”

It is estimated that 100,000 fatal accidents occur annually in the United States, and 500,000 accidents occur that render the victims incapable of earning their own living. Hundreds of thousands are being trained in first aid classes; and likewise many hundreds of thousands of victims of accidents on the railways, in the factories, and on the farms, are receiving the benefits of first aid assistance. The First Aid Division of the American Red Cross is affiliated with the Young Men’s Christian Association, the Young Women’s Christian Association, the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts of America, and also allied with many other humanitarian and patriotic associations.

“First Aid,” therefore, is becoming hardly less important in war and peace than Red Cross Aid in war. Clara Barton’s constructive humanitarian work in First Aid may yet be recognized by her country as even of greater humanitarian service than her Red Cross achievement, or that of the “American Amendment” to the International Red Cross. For seven years—from the inception of the “First Aid” in 1905 to 1912—Clara Barton was the unanimous choice of its members for President. To her co-workers in her latest national humanitarian association are the prophetic words of the “Mother of First Aid:”

“I believe the ‘First Aid’ to be the beginning of an organized movement that shall permeate more homes, carry useful knowledge to more men and women who would get it in no other way, assuage more suffering that nothing else could reach, awaken an interest in the welfare of his brother man in more rough toil-worn hearts unknown to it before, than lies in our power to estimate or our hopes to conceive.”

LXXIX

Clara Barton worked for humanity, for whom she had a love unparalleled
in history. ALICE HUBBARD—In _The Fra_.

My first endeavor has been to wipe from the scroll of my country’s
fame the stain of imputed lack of common humanity—to take her out of
the rôle of barbarism. CLARA BARTON.

Alas! what a stony soil the Red Cross has sometimes found, and the
seeds scattered by the wayside many a day. CLARA BARTON.

With what fidelity, wisdom and unanimity it has fulfilled its
important and peaceful mission, its vast work of almost twenty years
(1901) has conclusively shown. CLARA BARTON.

The whole civilized world acclaims the noble character and good work
of Clara Barton. Portland (Oregon) _Union_.

The Clara Barton movement spanned the globe.

Springfield (Mo.) _Republican_.

Clara Barton is one of the greatest women that ever lived.

JULIA H. GULLIVER, President Rockford College.

I personally inspected the vouchers—In tracing the missing men Clara
Barton expended $2,000 more than the government gave her for the
expenses. U. S. SENATOR GRIMES, in a speech in the Senate.

Clara Barton expended from her own savings during the Civil War $1,000
each year ($4,000), receiving no pay nor salary, except her bare
living expenses and these expenses she paid, herself, largely.

FRANCES B. GAGE.

Miss Barton has devoted her life and strength to Red Cross work in
America and during which time she has not received, nor desired to
receive, a penny for her services. It will be readily seen that she
has made an investment in principal and interest for the benefit of
her countrymen to the amount of another quarter of a million of
dollars—half a million of dollars in all.

ELLEN SPENCER MUSSEY, Attorney for the Red Cross.

The life of Clara Barton ought to be taught in the public schools for
the enlightenment of all pupils, boys and girls, that they may
understand the work of the Red Cross and realize how great a task for
humanity was undertaken, and accomplished by a weak woman.

Woonsocket (R. I.) _Call_.

Largely through Clara Barton’s endeavors, the Red Cross became
international, with the national power represented by the Stars and
Stripes as one of its staunchest supporters. HON. JOHN M. ROSS,
President of District of Columbia Board of Commissioners.

We question whether there has been any man or woman in the world’s
history who has been a greater blessing to mankind than the
sweet-faced Clara Barton. _Topeka Daily Capital._

HUMANITARIANISM, UNPARALLELED IN ALL HISTORY

Greater than the organization of the American Red Cross, and of far more reaching importance to the human race, was the securing of the so-called American Amendment to the original International Red Cross treaty. To secure this amendment, Clara Barton personally addressed the Governments through the “International Committee of Geneva,” advocating the measure. This measure was seriously considered by the “Congress of Berne,” and adopted by the powers. The amendment is in force by every civilized nation in the world—wherever there is a Red Cross Society. Through their representatives, hundreds of millions of people are reaping continuing benefits of this humanitarian Clara Barton measure.

The amendment permits the Red Cross to do the work of alleviating distress in all national calamities, such as fire, flood, famine, cyclone and earthquake. Under this amendment, Clara Barton administered relief at Johnstown, Charleston, Carolina Islands—in all, in about twenty disasters—relief of untold benefits to hundreds of thousands of American people. No other woman in this country, nor in the history of civilization, has to her credit an achievement of such world-humanitarian influence.

Clara Barton, as President of the Red Cross, served for over twenty years and on every field of national disaster then occurring in the United States; and also served in Cuba through the Spanish-American War within that period of time. Through that period of over twenty years, not one dollar was drawn by her from the national treasury; with confidence in her, the people contributed what was necessary. And, further, unprecedented in all history was her self-sacrificing humanitarian spirit in this, and in all similar work. Clara Barton, in a personal letter, confides to her friend as follows: “In all my life, in its various humanitarian activities, _I have never received, nor have I desired, remuneration for my services_; and with the exception of the $15,000 (expended out of my private funds and returned to me by the 39th Congress), I have never received in all my life _anything in return for my personal expenditures_.”

“During the first nineteen years, to maintain the Red Cross Headquarters, to build up the Organization and carry on its work,” according to an official report made to the House of Representatives by the Red Cross Committee, “Clara Barton expended from her individual funds an average of $4,000 a year, or a total of $76,000. This does not include her expenses for the four years that followed while she was President of the Red Cross, nor for the five years spent in securing for this country the American Red Cross. Nor does this include the amount expended by Miss Barton, after retiring from the Red Cross—from 1905 to 1912—in organizing and carrying on the work of the National First Aid Association—this amount from her personal funds being about $5,000.”

As through her fifty years of public services she continuously expended moneys from her personal funds, accepting no remuneration for her services, it has been estimated by an ex-secretary of the Red Cross that Clara Barton put the equivalent of a half million dollars in the Red Cross Society.

LXXX

The great good Christian woman—one of God’s noblest creatures.

DOCTOR HENRY A. LATHROP, Author.

Clara Barton lives in deeds, and will be an inspiration to millions
who shall come after her.

CHAPLAIN COUDON, Nat’l House of Representatives.

Clara Barton bequeathed to the world a glorious heritage.

Birmingham (Ala.) _Age-Herald_.

Whatever the Red Cross accomplishes in the future; whatever it has
accomplished in the past, to this one woman (Clara Barton) belongs the
credit. It was her child, with which she blessed the race. 90,000
years will not blot out the mercies which Clara Barton set in motion.
Springfield (Ill.) _News_.

Clara Barton,—founder of the most philanthropic movement of the age—an
intrinsic part of world civilization. _Detroit Free Press._

World-wide, Clara Barton will be remembered.

Holyoke (Mass.) _Telegram_.

At the mention of the name of Clara Barton the world stands with
uncovered head. _Chicago Inter-Ocean._

Clara Barton, worthy immortality. JANE ADDAMS.

Clara Barton did a world’s work, and her name will be immortalized.
WILLIAM SULZER, Governor of New York.

At all of our early fields the Red Cross went, and worked, alone.

CLARA BARTON.

For twenty years (1901) the Red Cross work so small at first—a mere
speck—has grown up under our hands until its welcome blaze has
lightened the footsteps of relief for the entire and direful contest
of nations. CLARA BARTON.

CLARA BARTON’S PRAYER ANSWERED

In loud acclaim by the man whose arm had been cut off by order of the Queen, with the other arm upraised there came forth from the throat of the guiltless victim, “God Save Elizabeth.” Although her strong arm, serving humanity for half a century, had been paralyzed by the tyrannous “Powers that Be,” Clara Barton’s daily prayer, from 1904 to the closing scene at Glen Echo in 1912, was “God Save the American Red Cross.”

The Mother’s prayer for the Red Cross has been gloriously answered; the Red Cross is safe and the spirit of Clara Barton still lives. Practically for 23 years Clara Barton was the Red Cross and the Red Cross was Clara Barton. The American people knew none other than Clara Barton. Through the confidence of the people in her, she received and distributed to the suffering, $2,557,000.00, in money and supplies. Through her Red Cross literature, her Red Cross talks from the rostrum and as the official representative of this nation at the International Red Cross Conferences in Europe, Clara Barton became widely known, and the Clara Barton spirit became the spirit of every humanity-loving household in America.

Tens of thousands of women who as girls learned to love her were proud in the World War to wear, as nurses, the Red Cross badge of distinction. Men of national fame were honored in accepting a position in the Red Cross Service. Men of wealth were glad of the opportunity to finance such a worthy organization, and of such deservedly good name, in humanity’s cause.

Through the reputation of Clara Barton, the adhesion of the Government to the “Treaty of Geneva” had been secured; by Congressional action and the signature of the President, a national charter had been granted; the American Government had given official recognition to the American Red Cross. The American people recognize that, when the Mother of the Red Cross retired from the Presidency, what she then said was true: “When I retired from the Red Cross, my little nursling (Red Cross) had grown to manhood. It was taken over with the highest reputation of any organization in the country—its methods settled, its organization unexceptional, its prestige assured at home and abroad, and a balance of funds subject to its call, and sufficient for all its needs.”

A greater need arose; the call came and, Clara Barton’s home people in Massachusetts leading all others in the Red Cross spirit, the American people responded. They responded, up to January 1, 1918, to the number of 21,000,000 in memberships, with 9,000,000 members additional of the Junior Red Cross. Besides, there were more than 8,000,000 volunteer Red Cross workers. The memberships, and volunteer enrollment workers, were made possible on the lines laid down by Clara Barton; “I would recommend the enrolling of the whole country under the banner of the Red Cross.” In the first drive for funds, the Red Cross realized $110,000,000; in the second drive, $135,819,911.56; a total in the two drives of $245,818,911.56.

In less than eleven months the American people contributed more than $300,000,000 to the Red Cross; through the World War up to February 18, 1919 $400,000,000. This enormous amount of money was used for the benefit of the millions of soldiers and others, of this country and of the allies. The foregoing memberships and financial strength have verified Clara Barton’s conception of the Red Cross possibilities:

“The Red Cross is capable of becoming the largest organization in the United States and one of the most useful.”

Of what she had done in her life-time, Governor W. R. Stubbs of Kansas said: “Looking over history as far back as Mary of Galilee, I cannot recall where God has chosen a maid servant—who has done more for humanity than Clara Barton.” In prophecy of the future results of her life’s work, Honorable George F. Hoar in the United States Senate said: “Known not only throughout our land, but throughout the whole civilized world, countless millions and uncounted generations will profit by the humanity of which Clara Barton has been largely the embodiment.”

LXXXI

Clara Barton—America’s foremost philanthropist.

Pasadena (Calif.) _News_.

Clara Barton—the usefulness of this extraordinary woman.

San Jose (Calif.) _Herald_.

Clara Barton—the most useful woman of her day.

Bangor (Me.) _News_.

Clara Barton’s slogan: “People’s Help for National Needs.”

The American Red Cross (1896) never appeals for, nor solicits, aid for
any purpose. CLARA BARTON.

The Red Cross has received nothing from the Government. No fund has
been created for it. CLARA BARTON.

Not a penny of tax, nor dues, has ever been asked for the expenses of
the National Red Cross. CLARA BARTON.

Every dollar and every pound that has been received by the Red Cross
has been the free-will offering of the people, given for humanity
without solicitation and disbursed without reward.

CLARA BARTON.

The greatest work performed by the Red Cross has consisted in the
education of the peoples along the lines of humanity.

CLARA BARTON.

The Red Cross was “her child,” and Clara Barton naturally and
willingly provided for it. _Heroines of Modern Progress._

When the Government accepted the Red Cross, perhaps a bit arrogantly,
I felt that my end was accomplished and I was ready to give it up.
CLARA BARTON.

The Red Cross “opposes the arms of humanity to the arms of violence.”
CLARA BARTON.

Antagonistic to nothing the Red Cross can know neither jealousies nor
rivalry. CLARA BARTON.

The future of the Red Cross will be worthy of the labors and
sacrifices in which it originated. CLARA BARTON.

But for the never-ending kindly words that bade me strive on, I fear I
should have been inclined to give up the fight.

CLARA BARTON.

For me I had few words of prayerful gratitude and many memories of the
long years of patient watching that had brought the American Red Cross
even up to the point it had attained.

CLARA BARTON.

NOT THE VALUE OF A POSTAGE STAMP