The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-03-08
THE RED CROSS.

Miss Clara Barton, whose services among
our soldiers and in tbs hospitals during the
late war have endeare,l her name to the
hearts of thousands Of odr citizens hns just
issued small pamphlet on the subject of
establishing Red Gross Society in this
country. Miss Barton, who has been
rightly called the Florence Nightingale OF
America, was appointed by the Central
Commission of the Geneva Convention to
the duty of urging on this government the
propriety of forming in the United States
branch of that great international hu-
name association whose symbol-the red
cross on white ground-has carried succor
and help TO so many scenes of distress.
In her pamphlet she Says
"a confederation of Relief Societies in
different countries, acting under tho
Geneva Convention, carries on its work
under the sign of the Red Cross. The aim
of these societies is to ameiorate the con-
dition of wounded soldiers in campaign on
land or seq. aud to furnish relief in cases of
great national calamity. The societies had
their rise in the conviction of certain phi
lanthrophic men that the official sanitary
service in wars is usually insufficient, and
that the charity of the people, which at
such times exhibits itself munifcently,
should be organized for the best possible
utilization. An international Public Con-
ference was called at Geneva, Switzerland,
in 1868, which, though it had not an off,
cial character, brought together representa-
tives from number of governments. At
this conference q treaty was drawn up,
nfterward remodelled and improved, which
twenty five governments have signed. The
treaty provides for the neutrality of all
sanitary supplies, ambulauces, surgeons,
nurses, attendants, and sick or wounded
men, and their safe conduct, when they
bear the sign of the organization, viz,
the Red Cross Although the Convention
was necessarily international, the relief
societies themselves are entirely national
and independent; each one governing it.
self and making its own laws, according
10 the genius of its nationality and needs.
The sign of the red cross was adopted be-
cause it was necessary for recognizance and
safety, and for carrying out the general
J provisions of the treaty, that a uniform
5 badge should be agreed upon. The red
cross was chosen out of compliment to the
Swiss Republic, where the first conyen.
ton was held, and in which the Central
:, Commission has its headquarters. The
e Swiss colors being white cross on red
Il ground, the badge chosen was these colort
reversed"
!. After giving sketch Of what the organi
: cation is, and its usefulness in time of war,
. the pamphlet continues:-
i ''It is further part of the raison DEERE Of
these national relief societies to afford ready
u succor and assistance to sufferers in time o1
- national or wide spread calamities, such q.
l. plaques, cholera, yellow fever and the like
, devastating fires or floods, railway disas
- tiers, mining catastrophes, DC. The readi
!. ness of organizations like those Of the Rec
l. Cross to extend help at the instant of need
IS renders the aid of quadruple value and eff
r. cheney to that gathered together hastily
IL and irresponsibly, in the bewilderment anc
shock which always accompanies sucl
" calamities. The trained nurses and alst
e attendants subject to the relief societies, il
1t such cases would accompany the supple
,, sent, and remain in action as long as needed
Organized in every State, the relief societie
r. of the Red Cross would be ready will
Pr money; nurses and supplies to go on call II
y the instant relief of all who were over
st whelmed by any of those sudden calami
le ties which occasionally visit us. In case @
= yellow fever, there being an organization i
Il; every State, the nurses aud attendant
IL would be first chosen from the nearest sl
Ia, cieties, and being acclimated would incu
~ far less risk to life than If sent from dii
V tant localities" D ..g-
$ The desirability Of having such q societ
in this country is obvious, and it is to b
~ ~ hoped that it will be heartily sustained b
to our people.