The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-07-21
MISS BARTON IN THE CITY
The Famous President of the Red Cross
Society Talks About Its Work.
Encampment Held Yssterday-Her
Interest in the Veterans.

Miss Clara Barton, the president of the
Red Cross Society. and DR.. Gardner, of Bed
ford, who has contributed 800 acres OF
Cross Society, met the committee of ply
sicians in charge of the Grand Army en-
oampment hospital yesterday afternoon at
the Denlson. and gave them an
outline of the history and organiza-
tion of the Red Cross Society.
Drs. Elder j. II. Oliver. Kim berlin, Stone,
Stillson. Maxwell, Moffatt. Pettljohn, Bray
ton and others in charge of the hospital
work were present.
Miss Barton conversed in her charming,
informal and modest manner for an hour.
answering questions and arranging such
details as are necessary TO keep the old sol
diers in IN ind of the fact that the Red Cross
Society Is still in active usefulness
Miss Barton said the society originated
with the Republic of Switzerland, which.
in 1864. called meeting of all CIV
ilized nations TO meet at Geneva.
After several weeks of consultation and
debate q constitution was adopted de-
aligned to stop tho needless suffering of
war. So soon as soldi er IL wounded and
disarmed he no longer belongs to either
army. but to common humanity. Human
ity, as q whole. has outgrown and ls in 8d-
vance of the customs of war. The essen
tial features of the society are that all dis
abled men are neutral; no longer soldiers
but human beings. Hospitals are also neu-
sSsn An Too ofte ms''f have &c shsg V wi
fully been brought in range of the
enemy's guns. All supplies for hospitals.
from whatever source, are neutral and i'm
mediately accessible. The idea is also done
selves from the place of battle. They are
rather to become a third arm of the service
TO take care of the sick and wounded. Let
the armies kill. said MISS Barton. 'if our
world surely may have the privilege of
gathering up the debris. i stood" said
she, "at the mine at Petersburg. Va. and
saw men sweitering and thirsty in
their she, s nnn1s and .1sn blood but no
them aid. But In the Franco German war
| was on the field and in three minutes
after the blast of war passed by we were
gathering up and caring for the wounded.
The great battles are In civilized COM
munities and now we beg tho people to
stay at their homes and every house pro.
tected by the Red Cross flag Is q comfort
able hospital. Even rations are served to
the honsehOlders who remain and act as
nurses"
OF the origin of the Red Cross emblem,
Miss Barton said the first desire was to use
the national flag of Switzerland-the ma
ton which called the CONGRESS. But the
and this flag. the sign of q brave republic
nestled among Donarchies. they would not
part with. So 1t was agreed to reverse the
flag and have red CROSS on white field.
II is not the Roman GROSS. as so many have
thought. and has no religious Significance
but Is simply the Swiss flag reversed.
Miss Barton said she would see that the
proper regulation flags, 7x12 feet, were
supplied for the large hospitals of the city.
and smaller flags for the special stations;
also proper arm decorations for the 100
physicians and hospital stewards and
nurses who are to look after the 75. 600 men
now past the primo OF lifo and many of
whom will no doubt need medical care.
Miss Barton also spoke of the American
emendment TO the constitution by which
the Red Cross Society is made the common
and able director of charities in all tn 9
great oalamltIes which atiiict natiOns-fre,
flood. earthquake and pestilence. But her
main desire is to have all the Old soldiers
feel that they are In touch with the spirit
and purpose OF the Red Cross organization.