The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-11-02

Gleanings from National Headauar-
ters---NOtes from the Departments
CLARA BARTON AND THE RED CROSS.

CLARA BARTON AND THE RED CROSS.
| In Possession of the Sea Islands of South
Carolina, and a Comfort and shelter to
$4,000 Hungry and Homeless Sufferers.
Under date of Oct. 2, Clara Barton, President
of the American National Red Cross, sent the
following official telegram from Beaufort, S. C.,
where she had taken up Headquarters follow
ing the great Atlantic cyclone:
The Red Cross has to-day officially accepted
| and assumed control of the relief of the Sea-
| Island sufferers, rendered two weeks ago by
| the Governor and committees of South Caro-
| lima. This implies the housing, feeding, cloth
| ing, and nursing of 80 900 people for eight
months, with aid from the Government and
| no fund but direct charity of the American
| people. Our Headquarters and address are at
| Beaufort. S. C.
The whole situation is fully outlined in this
brief statement, but no pen can describe the
scenes of ravage and desolation which con-
| fronted Miss Barton everywhere, in her tour
| of the Sea Islands. The Red Cross had faced
successfully great National disasters, caused by
fire and flood, but all were easily handled COM
pared with this. The great Johnstown food
was confined to narrow district in the great,
populous, and wealthy State of Pennsylvania,
with the generous Northern cities, animated
by the daily press, to pour in money and sup
plies
But although South Carolina responded
nobly in aid of the poor negroes of the Sea
Islands, her resources are limited, and when
the conference was held with Miss Barton,
Gov. Tillman and his entire relief committee
were frank to assert that the Red Cross only
could carry on successfully work which had
developed gigantic proportions. The $4,000
which had been placed in their hands could
not possibly carry them beyond Christmas,
leaving them with nothing in the very pinch
of the year, during January, February, and
March" as Gov. Tillman said.
South Carolina and its relief committees will
extend whatever aid is within their power to
Miss Barton, but the great bulk of cOntribu
tions must be voluntary gifts from the North.
When it is remembered that the Sea Islands
were literally swept of their houses and crops
and gardens, their memories and live stock
and fshing-boats and equipments; that those
who were not drowned barely escaped with
their lives, their clothing destroyed and sick
ness brooding over them like pestience, some
idea of the awful situation can be gained.
This is the greatest trust ever imposed rpon
Miss Barton, who has borne great trusts with
Spartan heroism, and if its accomplishment
fails it will be because, for the first time.
generous people have failed to respond to her
call for help.
But Clara Barton will not fail. The banner
of the Nazarine is over her, and the hearts and
hands of the American people will put it into
her power to deal bread to the hungry to bring
the poor and needy into her houses, 20 bind up
the broken-hearted and give the oil of joy for
the spirit of mourning.
The Red Cross has already done valiant work
in inducing the Federal Government to take
necessary sanitary precautions to prevent pesti-
lence This is done by clearing the wells the
burial of carcasses, and the drainage of the soil
wherever practicable. But food, clothing and
the building Of houses-this can alone be done
by the American people-at-large.
WHAT WILL RELIEF CORPS DO?
All the time reports are reaching Us of Corps
which have no local relief work to do. Now,
why cannot these Corps, indeed all Corps be
the leaders in a movement to enlist the inter-
ests of citizens-at-large on behalf Of the Red
Cross and the 10000 helpless people intrusted
to their charge? Money is needed. but you
may not have money; butsurely you can make
up some boxes of cast.off clothing. Remember,
that what may seem of small account to you
will be of great use to those who have nothing.
Send your supplies or gifts individually, or col
lectively, to the Red Cross Association either at
Beaufort or Charleston, s. G.
ALL ALONG THE LINE
A neat roster and history of Alfred Harrison
Dul IL & al
Fair Exhibits, W.R.C., prepared by Past Depart
ment President Delilah A. beaverton. The Corps
badge is on the face of the cover, while on the
reverse is the flag, with the motto zone Flag
One Country; also, United We Stand, Di-
vided We Fall"
Iowa is holding series of District Conven-
lions, extending over the months of October
and November. The time is suspicious, follow
ing National Convention, with its inspiring
reports and stirring up enthusiasm for the
Winters work of patriotism and relief.
Past National President Sue A. Pike Sanders
has been elected President of the Industrial
School for Girls at Bloomington, Ill. The
selection is excellent, as she has had large ex-
perience as practical educator, and we may
be sure that patriotism and honor to the flag
lola, the only child of Past National In
spector Flo Jamison Miller, was terribly
scalded, from the knees down, by the over
turning of tea-kettle of boiling water. She
was for weeks disabled. but is, happily, improv-
ing, and it is hoped will sustain no lasting in
juries.
At union picnic of the Relief Corps of Peso
tum, Tolono, Sidney, Champaign, and Urbana
ILL.,, the evening meeting at the church was
addressed by Past National Inspector Flo
Jamison Miller. Her theme, "Woman's work
during and since the late rebellion" was
listened to with rapt attention by the patriotic
audience, which crowded the church to it's
utmost capacity.
John p. Baird Relief Corps, auxiliary TO
Post 592, was instituted at Terre Haute, Ind,
Oct. IL, by Department President Julia S.
Conklin. A public installation was held in
the evening, with Baird Post and Morton Post
and Corps present by invitation. A reception
and lunch followed the Campfire.
The Journal of 10th Annual Convention
Department of Michigan. is out in neat and
condensed style. 1t is pleasant to note by the
list of subscriptions that the Michigan W.RC.
Home project is assuming tangible proportions
The record of relief work done is highly cred
liable to the Department. Fourteen Corps
nri I'd ,.,;, e