The National tribune., 1886-10-14
THE RED CROSS.
Miss Clara BartOn's Report OF Her Visit TO
Charleston.

Charleston.
Immediately upon receiving news of the
Charleston catastrophe, Miss Clara Barton,
President of the international Red Cross Asso-
citation, repaired to the stricken city to learn by
personal inspection what, if anything, the
noble organization of which she is the head
should do in the premises. The following cir
cular to the Association explains the result of
her visit:
In my dispatch Of Sept. 20 from Charleston, ad-
dressed 10 the various associate Red Cross Societies,
fpromi=ed to write later. desiring TO give you The
most reliable information possible in regard to the
situation of the city and the people, well what
the extent of the calamity has been and to what
tent il has been thus far relieved leaving to your
judgment and choice to regulate the course you
would be pleased TO pursue.
have already publicly stated that In my opinion
the damage 10 the buildings had not been over
rated; indeed. scarcely see how IL could be, ad-
mtting that the semblance Of a city be LEFT.
learn that three, and only three, brick or stone
houses in the entire city had escaped harm. did
not see either Of these. The wooden structures
withsiood the motion better but by far the larger
portion of these have their chimneys lying in the
cellars or on the ground. Most of the buildings
have lost either roof the gables the front or back
walls and porticoes, and there Is little plastering
left on either walls or ceilings where the frame
work still remains
THE GREAT GOOD FEATURE
seems TO have consisted in the fact that the trouble
occurred at an hour about 10 at night when most
persons had left the streets and were in their
houses. The walls almost invariably fell outward,
and those who in their fright attempted to rush into
the streets found IL impossible to open their doors
Hundreds of the heaviest hinges were wrenched
off. Almost without exception those who were
killed wounded either We're in the street at the
moment succeeded in getting there while the
houses were falling. This accounts for the COM
paratively small number of deaths and injuries.
Charleston is not wealthy city, and its people
had not yet recovered from the
EFFECTS OF THE CYCLONE
of last year. which damaged them to the extent Of
some two millions. and in which disaster they de-
clined all aid. Thus IL happens that large pro-
portion of the buildings are the homes OF persons
still owing for them, mechanics artisans who
through loan associations or mortgages attempt to
pay for them. If by this damage to the property
they fail in that the association or the mortgage
will take not only what remains but what has been
paid IL will therefore be the first work of the re-
lief committees under the Mayor to partially relieve
and secure this struggling class of working men
and women.
THOSE WHO HAD GOOD HOMES,
owning them clear. have largely waived all claim
| TO relief and have promptly Withdrawn their names
from all consideration in that direction such as are
| able preparing TO bear their own losses and help
| others so far rs possible. The engineers en-
gagged in examining all buildings in order
tain what may be safe 10 repair and what must
II is estimated that two-thirds of the sum neces-
sary to meet these first pressing wants Is already
| assured and Mayor COurtenay, who is evidently
the right man in the right place. declares his in
tention to telegraph the fact the country the
moment the needed sum shall be reached and ask
that no more funds be sent.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS.
Meanwhile there are other things to be consider
| ed The ordinary vOcations OF business OBJ
strucied there is little work in Charleston
to-day but for builders, masons and carpenters,
| and these must go largely from other cities.
IL is true their clothes and bedding were not de-
stroyed as by a fre-although terribly injured a
portion remains TO them but they must naturally
wear out and in all the stress for the of bare
subsistence. where the means to replenish is
to come from seems a problem. There is a
and women and little children. IL Is approaching
Winter; they cannot but need in greater proper
tion than the community can supply.
do not think there has yet been any real suffer
1 ing from want and for that reason have not felt
| that the Red Cross had failed in any part of its
legitimate duties by remaining quiet. IL is possi-
am confident that the time when the real want and
| suffering of these people from this disaster If II
come at all, will be through the wet and frosty
months from November ON till the opening OF the
Spring.
time for the Red Cross 10 do its benevolent work II
IL desires TO act this occasion Nothing has been
| lost by waiting. The National Association has
done something, and will do more. have endeav-
ored to give you "a faithful account of the situation
rs IL really exists. We by no means call upon you
| TO work-this we have never done by our societies
but giving the proper information. leave each
and ali free to follow its own Judgment. We con-
slider il proper for the National Association to aid
and we will most gladly accept any cooperation
associate societies might feel disposed to render
III deciding TO decline in this instance no one need
feel fear of being misunderstood by We know
our societies are not unmndfd OF the fact that hei
first duties are legitimately international and FOL
relief in war; and we are painfully made aware o.
very grave possibilities in that direction in the neal
future. Neither are unmindful Of the good vii
and work of our societies ia the past; and grateful
for confidence and cooperation, and hoping always
for the best,
We remain, very truly,
CLARA BARTON,
President Am Natl Assn of the Red Cross.
wAsHIS6ToS, Oct. i, 1856.