Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1886-10-06

Her Remarks Ae&0f01n& tne S1I4d.
ton at Charleston, s. C.-The Red
Cross Societies.
The following has just been received by
Judge Sheldon, associate representative of
the United States with Miss Barton at the
international conference at Geneva in 1884.
Miss Barton has just returned from the meet
ing of the Grand Army at San Francisco,
where she was the recipient of quite unusual
honors on all sides. What with addresses,
receptions and visits, her health has suffered
somewhat, and her return was delayed for
some days. On this account the appeal has
been somewhat delayed, but it has the old
time ring and is still a most useful, reliable
and authentic presentation of the facts in the
case:
WASHINGTON, D. G.
To the officers and members of the Red
Cross society:
In nv dispatch of Sept Goth from Char
lesion, addressed to the various Red Cross
societies, pro missed to write later, desiring
to give you the most reliable information
possible in regard to the situation OF the
city and people. as well as to what the extent
it has thus far been relieved; leaving it to
your own Judgment and choice to regulate
the course which you would be pleased to
pursue.
1 have already publicly stated that in my
opinion the damage to the city had not been
overrated; indeed, I scarcely see how it
could be admitting that the semblance of a
city be left. learned that three, and only
three, brick or stone buildings in the entire
city escaped harm; l did not see either of
these. The wooden structures withstood the
motion better, but by far the larger portion
of these have their chimneys lying in the
cellars or upon the ground. Most of the
buildings have lost either a roof, the ends,
the front or back WALL or the porticoes, and
their is little plastering left on either the
walls or ceiling, where the frame work still
remains.
The fortunate feature seems to have con-
sisted in the facts that the trouble occurred
at an hour (ab put ten at night when most
persons had left the streets and were in their
homes; the walls almost invariably fell out
wards, and those who in their fright attempt
ed to rush into the streets found it impos-
sible to open their doors; hundreds of the
heaviest hinges were wrenched apart Al
most without exception those who were
killed OF wounded were either in the streets
al the moment or succeeded in getting there
whilst their houses were falling: this accounts
for the comparatively small number of deaths
and injuries Considering the magnitude of
the disaster.
Charleston is not wealthy city and its
people had not yet recovered from the effects
of the cyclone of last year, which did dam
age to the extent of nearly two millions of
dollars and in which disaster they declined
all aid. 1t thus happens that large proper
ton of buildings are the houses of poor persons
still owing for them, as mechanics or art1
sans, who through loan associations or mort
cages, were attempting to pay for them; if
by this damage they fail in that the associa-
tions or the mortgages will swallow not only
what remains, but what has been paid. 1t
will, therefore, be the first work of the relief
committees under the Mayor to partially re-
lieve and secure this struggling class of work
ing men and women. Those who had good
houses, owning them clear, have largely
waived all claim to relief and have promptly
withdrawn their names from all considera-
ton in that direction, preferring to bear their
own losses and help others as far as possible.
The engineers are engaged in examining all
buildings with the view to ascertain what
may be safe to repair and what must come
down.
1t is estimated that two-thirds of the sum
needed to meet these first pressing wants
is already assured, and Mayor Courtney, who
is evide ltly the right man in the right place,
declares his intention of telegraphing the
fact over the country the moment the needed
sum shall have been reached and ask that no
II ore funds be sent.
Mean While there are other things to be
considered. The ordinary routine of bust
ness is obst1 dcted. There is little or no
work in Charleston to-day but for builders, as
masons, carpenters, etc., and these must
largely go from other cities. 1t is true their
clothing, bedding, etc., were not destroyed as
by fire or by flood; although injured, por-
ton remains, but these must naturally wear
out, especially in the rough usage
to which they must be exposed;
and in all the stress for the
means of a bare subsistence it becomes a
problem how they can be supplied. There is
q large colored population there, helpless old
men and women and little children. Winter
is approaching; they can but need in great
er proportion than the community can sup
ply. do not think there has yet been any
real suffering from want and for that reason
have not felt that the Red Cross had failed
in any part of its legitimate duties by re-
naming quiet. 1t is possible that this might
continue to be the case, but I am confident
that the time when the real want and suffer
ing of these people from this disaster, if it
comes at all, will be through the wet and
frosty months from November on till the
opening OF tho spring. 1 think during this
pc iod would be the proper time for the Red
Cross to do its work of beaevolence if it de-
sires to act on this occasion. Nothing has
been lost by waiting. The national associa-
lion has already done something and will do
more.
1 have endeavored to give you faithful
account of the situation as it really exists.
We by no means call upon you to work;
his we never ha re done by our societies, but
giving the proper information leave each
% follow its own judgment. We consider it
proper for the national association to aid,
and will most gladly welcome any co-opera-
Jon our associate societies might feel dis
posed to render.
If deciding to decline participation in this
Instance no one need fear being misunder-
stood by u.s. We are not unmindful of the
good will and work of our societies in the
past. We also know that they recognize
July the broad and important fact that their
legitimate existence is international and their
irst duties for relief in war; and we are at
his moment made painfully aware of very
grave possibilities in that direction in the
lear future. No one can foreten how soon
he societies of the Red Cross may be ex
oected to take the lead in American relief
or foreign wars.
Hoping the best, and grateful for past con-
1dence and cooperation, we remain very
5ruly,
CLARA BARTON,
Prooidant AsaO IF the Rad GrOaa