The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-05-17
THU RED CROSS,

THU RED CROSS.
Miss Clara Barton, whose services among
our soldiers and in the hospitals during the
late war have endeared her name to the
hearts of thousands of our citizens, has Just
issued small pamphlet ON the subject of
establishing Red Cross 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
o 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 the
Geneva Convention, carries on its work
under the sign of the Red Cross. The aim
OF these societies is to ameliorate the con-
dition of wounded soldiers in campaign on
Land or sea. and 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-
tves from number of governments. At
this conference treaty was drawn up,
afterward remodelled and improved, which
twenty-five governments have signed. The
treaty provides for the neutrality of all
sanitary supplies, ambulances, 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 ore entirely national
and independent; each one governing it.
self and making its own laws, according
to the genius of its nationality and needs.
The sign of the red Cross was adopted be-
cause it was necessary for reeognizanoe and
safety, and for carrying out the general
provisions of the treaty, that uniform
badge should be agreed upon. The red
cross was chosen out of compliment to the
Swiss Republic, where the first conven-
ton was held, and in which the Central
Commission has its headquarters. The
Swiss colors being white Cross on red
ground, the badge chosen was these colors
reversed"
After giving sketch of what the organi-
zation is, and its usefulness in time of war,
the pamphlet continues
'It is further part OF the raison Gefre Of
these national relief societies to afford ready
succor and assistance to sufferers in time of
national or wide spread calamities, such as
plaques, cholera, yellow fever and the like,
devastating fires or foods, railway disas-
tiers, mining catastrophes, &c. The readi-
ness of organizations like those of the Red
Gross to extend help at the instant of need,
renders the aid of quadruple value and eff
cheney to that gathered together hastily
and rresponsibly, in the bewilderment and
shock which always accompanies such
calamities. The trained nurses and also
attendants subject to the relief societies, in
such cases would accompany the supplies
sent, and remain in action as long as needed
Organized in every State, the relief societies
of the Red Cross would be ready with
money; nurses and supplies to go on call to
the instant relief of all who were over
whelmed by any of those sudden calami-
ties which occasionally visit U.S. In case of
yellow fever, there being an organization in
every State, the nurses aud attendants
would be first chosen from the nearest So
cieties, and being acolimated would incur
far less risk to life than If sent from dis
tant localities"
The desirability of having such society
In this country is obvious, and it is to be
hoped that it will be heartily sustained by
Ow people.
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