The New York herald., 1870-08-11
The Ladies' Relief Committees Softening the
Horrors Of War.

Horrors OF War.
Dreary indeed would be the record of the
moment in Europe to our boasted civilization
were it not for the blessed inspirations which
impel the gentle hands of woman to those
deeds that, in their way, are infinitely moro
glorious than the proudest martial achieve
ments. 1t is questionable whether the pen of
the future historian will linger with more
effect among the narratives that describe the
gallantry Of the heroes who stormed the Mala-
koff and the Redan, at Sebastopol, or those
that glow with the still loftier devotion and
more enduring courage Of the Sisters Of
Charity, who braved danger and death In
every form-the shot Of the enemy, the bitter
inclemencies of q Crimean winter, the pesti-
lential infection of crowded camps and fetid
hosptals-simply that they might alleviate
the suferings of the poor soldier fighting and
dying there to further the purposes Of kings
and courts. The cold annals of mere war may
accord to the commanders who won the fray
tho chaplet Of military fame; but the brightest
lines on even their pages glow with heavenly
warmth and light as they mention the name Of
Florence Nightingale and the noble women
who had preceded and who accompanied her.
In our own terrible civil war the female
relief committees who toiled In the towns and
exposed their own health and lives close to
the battle field performed work which was
blessed to the objects of their tender kindness
at the moment. and which gradually became
golden link of revived sympathy and friend
ship between the warning sections. The hor--
rors of conflict which often found father
arrayed against son and brother against
brother WERE made greatly less by these
angelic ministrations, and the fury of resent
ment against the hand that inflicted the
wound melted away in tears and gratitude at
the touch of the gentle hand that tended it,
We are recalled to these reflections, in the
midst of the mournful feeling that the new
outbreak Of war in Europe awakens, by read
ing Of the preparations in progress in many
of the French and German cities TO form
active and efficient female relief associations
for the succor of the wounded on either side.
The Sisterhood of Mercy in all its branches is
already in the field, and Miss Nightingale from
her own bed of illness he's transmitted to Paris
such written hints and instructions as her
arduous experience has qualified her to give
for the benefit of such societies as may there
be formed by ladies volunteering, but unused
to the service TIE wife of Marshal Can
robert has organized an association ''to help
the wounded on the field of BATTLE" and in
heartfelt appeal reminds her countrywomen of
what was done by their American sisters dur
ing the civil war, when, as she says, 'they
collected more than sixty-fve millions of
francs and obtained the magnificent result
that out of hundred wounded they were able
to save ninety-fve." 'Let every French
heart" adds this noble lady, '1isten to our
voices; we hold out the hand for those who
are about to suffer-" And our own kind
countrywomen in Paris have not been slow to
answer the common call of humanity. They
have formed Ladies' Branch of the Ameri-
can International Sanitary Committee, with
Mrs. Arson G. Burlingame at its head, and
many of the wealthiest, most active and most
distinguished American names abroad are on
the list of members. They are even now
vigorously at work with high success. This
good example is initiated in all the leading
French and German cities, and promises the
most gratifying results. At the sight the
nations thus ruthlessly dragged into collision
are partly consoled; the warrior advancing to
the field Of carnage is cheered; tha panied
heart Of humanity is touched with an emotion
which is the beginning of an enduring hope
that these divine influences will yet prevail
even in our time, and that the hour foretold by
the whispered encouragement and prayer
which the mangled soldier hears beside his
pillow may no longer lie distant, when the
| cross shall forever put aside the sword.