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
In 1902 a party of friends visited Clara Barton in her Glen Echo Red
Cross home. In our party were two gentlemen from Mexico. One of the
latter, an Englishman, had lived in the “Land of the Montezumas” for
many years. He described to Miss Barton the people, their peculiar
customs, their love of music and the other arts, their beautiful Moorish
architecture, their lofty mountains and fertile valleys. Then he
portrayed the characteristics of Porfirio Diaz, the then popular ruler
of the Mexican Republic.
Miss Barton was much interested. She said that for some time she had
been doing what she could to get the Mexican Government to organize,
under the Geneva Convention, a Red Cross Society. With the tact of a
diplomat and the strategy of a general she laid out her plan of
campaign. She asserted that in no other country could so much good be
done by the Red Cross as in Mexico.
She wanted the influence of President Diaz. How could she get it?
Through whom? And of what assistance could her Mexican guests be to her?
That her guests might become interested in the Red Cross she described
in detail her work, how she got the necessary funds, the supplies, and
how they were distributed. She explained that whenever there was
suffering from flood, fire, famine—suffering anywhere in the world from
any cause—she would issue a call, setting forth the fact and needs.
Immediately thereafter, the good people would respond with money, food,
clothing. In some cases money and material were sent to her personally,
and sometimes to her as President of the Red Cross.
Also she would send out an appeal for assistants who would serve without
pay on any certain field of disaster. At that time the Government did
nothing whatever for the Red Cross; had not contributed towards it so
much even as the value of a postage stamp. Then the people were being
educated along the lines of humanity, and which Clara Barton said was
the most important work of the Red Cross Society. As the result of such
education and of its then growing importance, she predicted that
sometime it would be the largest organization in the United States. In
fulfillment of this prediction, in the World War, the people on one
occasion, in a few days, responded to a Red Cross call for $100,000,000.
[Illustration:
CLARA BARTON
The President (now In Memoriam) of the National First Aid Association
of America.
]
[Illustration:
HARRIETTE L. REED
With statesmanlike ability Clara Barton directed the affairs of
panic-stricken citizens paralyzed by the fearful calamities which
had overtaken them and rendered them powerless.—HARRIETTE L. REED
(Sister Harriette). Also known as Mrs. J. Sewall Reed, First Acting
President of the National First Aid Association of America, June 6,
1912–April 2, 1920.
]
The historic pictures on this page were taken each on the occasion of
the organization of the National First Aid Association of America, in
Boston, in 1905.
See page 257.
LXXXII
_In re_ a bill before Congress (1902) proposing an annuity of $5,000
for Clara Barton during life, in an official letter to Congress, she
protested as follows: “Any grant of Government moneys, either in aid
of this body (Red Cross) direct, or of myself as its President, would
be subversive of its principles and methods, and not to be desired.”
THE AUTHOR.
If those now (1904) at variance with me on Red Cross matters will meet
me in the same spirit by which I am animated, we cannot fail to adjust
all difficulties to our mutual satisfaction, and to the advantage of
the cause all should have at heart. CLARA BARTON.
Unless one is actually going down hill with a load, it is easier to
stop than to go on. CLARA BARTON.
I have nothing to gain from the Red Cross, and never have had.
CLARA BARTON.
In Red Cross work I have no ambitions to serve, and certainly no
purposes. CLARA BARTON.
I am glad that after thirty years our country has been awakened to the
thought that it could confer an honor on the Red Cross; and I wish you
could know how entirely indifferent I am to the _personal_ “honors”
conferred. CLARA BARTON.
No private individual in the world’s history has ever before been able
to command through a long term of years, and a continuous succession
of almost a score of great public disasters, the unlimited confidence
of the whole people, so that the response to each successive call has
been instant and in generous amount.
Contributions in money and supplies have been received for the relief
of the sufferers by these national calamities of more than $1,900,000.
The Officers and Members of the American National Red Cross (in
1903)—in a Memorial to Congress—From House Document No. 552, Volume
49, 58th Congress.
HONORARY PRESIDENCY FOR LIFE—PROPOSED ANNUITY
Miss Mabel T. Boardman, after the retirement of Clara Barton, became
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the American Red Cross Society.
In the following excerpts from letters in 1903, she certifies to the
_integrity_, good name and fame, of Clara Barton, this being at the time
the “MOTHER OF THE RED CROSS” was offered the Honorary Presidency for
life, with an annuity of $2,500:
“The character of Miss Barton nobody has assailed.
“No such assault was made, nor intended, upon Miss Barton’s character.
“No loss of confidence in Miss Barton’s personal integrity is meant.
“A proposition of —— which I should not for a moment have thought of
assenting to, if I had believed Miss Barton wanting in integrity.
“Believe me, there is no desire for one moment to humiliate Miss Barton
nor to withdraw her from any honor due her for past services in the
interest of humanity. The very fact of our trying to get up a fund for
Miss Barton to place her in an honorable position—is sufficient evidence
that there was no purpose to attack Miss Barton personally.
“I feel that by accepting the position of Honorary President for life
(with an annuity given as a token of appreciation of her past services)
Miss Barton will be placed in a most dignified and honorable position.
“Mr. Foster, Mr. Glover, Mr. Chas. Bell, Mr. Walsh and my Father will
act as guarantors of the annuity for the first year.
“As to the annuity;—five or six responsible gentlemen, such as Messrs.
Bell, Glover, and others, would sign a letter guaranteeing to Miss
Barton, for the first year, an annuity of $2,500, and pledging
themselves to have set on foot a movement to raise a Red Cross fund,
within a year, out of which should be paid to Miss Barton a similar
annuity during life.
“People are continually urging that a complete investigation be made of
Red Cross expenditures and methods, beginning with the Johnstown
disaster, the Armenia disaster, Russian famine, Sea Islands, etc.; but
we do not want to have to do this, and will not, if Miss Barton in the
true interest of the Red Cross, and in the true interest of her own name
and fame, will consent to take the distinguished position of Honorary
President.” (The foregoing are excerpts from a letter by Miss Mabel T.
Boardman under date of February 20th, 1903, and found in Document 552,
House Documents, Volume 49,—58th Congress.)
Under date of February 18, 1903, Honorable John W. Foster, of the Red
Cross Society, the ex-Secretary of State, in a letter says: “We have
canvassed the matter of a proper person to succeed Miss Barton as
President (she accepting the place of Honorary President,) and the best
fitted person for the position seems to be Admiral Van Reypen.... It is
presumed he would be acceptable to Miss Barton. As to the annuity: five
or six responsible gentlemen—will sign a letter guaranteeing to Miss
Barton for the first year an annuity of $2,500 and pledging themselves
to have set on foot a movement to raise a Red Cross fund, within a year,
out of which should be paid to Miss Barton a similar annuity during
life.” (From House Document No. 552, Volume 49, 58th Congress.)
The official records show that the highest representative of a former
Administration, the minority and majority in the so called “controversy”
unanimously commended the name of Clara Barton; and in writing the
minority, through Miss Mabel T. Boardman, unanimously solicited Clara
Barton to become, and to remain for life, Honorary President of the Red
Cross.
NOTE.—For reasons which seemed good to Clara Barton and her friends
the foregoing named annuity and _honor_ were declined. THE AUTHOR.
LXXXIII
Clara Barton’s services in the Franco-German war, as a member of the
Red Cross, were memorable throughout both continents. Holyoke (Mass.)
_Telegram_.
There are old soldiers, veterans of the German battlefield, who still
live and tell with tear-dimmed eyes of Clara Barton’s work among the
wounded and the dying. Sioux Falls (S. D.) _Press_.
O, reputation! dearer far than life. SIR WALTER RALEIGH.
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.
PROVERBS.
Good name, in man or woman, is the immediate jewel of their souls.
OTHELLO.
Why persecutest thou me? ACTS.
Those about her
From her shall read the perfect ways of honor.
KING HENRY VIII.
Miss Barton witnessed the work of the Red Cross during 1870. MABEL T.
BOARDMAN—In “_Under the Red Cross Flag at Home and Abroad_.”
In 1870–71 Clara Barton attached herself by invitation to the foreign
Red Cross, and in that relation was actually in the Red Cross work
during the entire Franco-Prussian war.
Red Cross Committee.
My physical strength had long ceased to exist, but on the borrowed
force of love and memory I strove with might and main—I walked its
hospitals day and night; I served in its camps, and I marched with its
men; and I know whereof I speak.
CLARA BARTON.
During the eighteen months of European experience I worked with the
Red Cross on my arm. The horrors and sufferings of Weissenburg,
Woerth, and Hagenau, Strasbourg, Metz, Sedan and Paris—poor twice
shattered Paris—and every besieged and desolated city of France fell
under my observation and shared the labor of my hands through eighteen
hard and dreadful months.
CLARA BARTON, in public address at Cape May.
Truth, like the sun, submits to be obscured; but, like the sun, only
for a time. BOVEE.
Our dearly beloved and most honored Clara Barton! She understood fully
the meaning of the Red Cross, and knew well how to put into action the
great and beautiful, though difficult, duties of the Red Cross. How
shall I forget what she was to us here in the year 1870, helping us
during the time of war we had to go through with then! God grant her
peace eternal! There where her beautiful soul will live in the glory
of Christ.
LUISE, Grand Duchess of Baden (1912).