Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-05-04
SYMPATHY WITH SUFFERING.
Tho Red Cross Organization which Is Bringing
every Civilized Country within Its
Nohie Circle.


Noble Circle.
What is meant by the Red Cross? and
what is the object of the associations
forming in various cities throughout the
the country bearing this sign and name?
These questions, which so many are
now asking, may perhaps be most salts
factorilv answered by the statement that
the Red Cross is the sign of national and
international associations in the interest
of which Clara Barton has labored so
increasingly since the close of our own
and the Franco-Prussian wars. An ex-
PLANTATION OF the origin and object of
these associations is best given in her
own words:
"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 amelorate
the condition Of wounded soldiers in the
armies in campaign on land or sea.
The societies had their rise in the con-
victiOn Of certain philanthropic men,
that the official sanitary service in wars
is usually insufficient, and that the char
ity of the people, which at such times
exhibits itself muniicontly should be or
gained for the best possible utilization.
An international public conference was
called at Geneva, Switzerland, in 1863.
which, though it had not an official char
acter, brought together representatives
from number Of Governments. At
TINS conference treaty was drawn up,
afterwards remodeled 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 con
dition, when they bear the sign'of the
organization, viz, the Red Cross
On the 10th Of March our own Govern
ment gave in its adherence to the treaty
Of the Geneva Conference, being the
thirty-seeond to sign this roll of honor
among the nations The treaty was
signed by President Arthur on the 1st
instant, and was unanimously ratified
by the United States Senate on the 10th
instant. Previous to this, the American
National Association of the Red Cross
had been formed, Miss Clara Barton
being nominated for the Presidency of
the association by President Garfield on
June 9, 1881. Since that time she has
labored increasingly not only to inform
the people throughout our country ofthe
character and objects of the association,
but also TO secure official recognition
for the association by the signing of the
treaty of the Geneva Conference. This
latter object having been happily secur
nH 40 ff
Citations is to be pushed with vigor.
Governor j. w. Hoyt, of Wyoming Ter
rltory, is now visiting the principal cities
of the United States, under official sane
ton, for the purpose of enliSting the in
terest and cooperation of our best citi-
zens in the work and objects of the as
sociation.
To American citizens who hope never
more to know anything of war, the prin-
cipal interest in the National Association
of the Red Cross will probably arise from
the fact that it is designed also to give
quick and efficient relief in case OF ma
tional calamities. Again we quote from
Miss Barton's little book:
"These national relief societies will af-
ford speedy succor and assistance to
spread calamities, such as plaques, chol-
era, yellow fever and tie like, devasta-
ting fires or floods, railway disasters,
mining catastrophes, etc. The readi-
ness OF organizations like those of the
Red Cross to extend help at the instant
of reed, renders the aid of quadruple
value and efficiency compared with that
gathered hastily and Irresponsible. in
the bewilderment and shock which al
ways accompanies such calamitles The
trai' nurses and attendants subject to
the lief societies N such eases, would
accompany the supplies sent an remain
IN action rs long rs need ID. Organized !
nj 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
whelmcd by any Of those sudden Gala |
mites which occasionally visit us. In
case of yellow fever. there being an or
ganization in every State, the nurses and |
attendants would be first chosen from !
the nearest societies, and being acclim- |
lted would incur far less risk to life !
Shan ii sent from distant localities. 1t /
is true that the Government is ALWAYS
ready in these times OF public need to !
furnish transportation, and often does
much more. In the Mississippi flood, a
few years ago, it ordered rations distrib-
ltcd under the dire elton of army officers;
in the case of the explosion at the navy
yrrd, it voted It relief fund, and in our
recent affection at the South a like
course was pursued.
Such are some of the objects of this
noble organization 1t is matter of
great moment, to business men eSpeci-
ally, to know where they may place
their donations towards the relief If ma
tional calamities, with assurance that
they win be rightly administered. The
of the Red Cross affords
them an absolutely safe and reliable |
channel to convey their gifts to those
who are thus in need The local organ
i1ation in Chicago includes the names of
citizens eminent for philanthropy and |
- Chicago J0urhal