Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-11

lect funds and carry on the minor de-
tails OF the work in any manner that is
thought best.
These details were given by Miss Bar
ton very readily. They related to the
great general work Of the mercy society
or her own share I'm the self-sacrificing
mission Of the Red Cross she was not
so ready to talk. With Miss Barton the
work is Red Cross work" All she
would say of 'our work" was: 1T in
Guides thirteen fields Of disaster in as
many years. Floods. famine fires, cpl
denies, and storms have caused the suf-
fering, and more than 100000 has been
applied in the aggregate, by the willing
hands OF those who have volunteered in
behalf Of the great cause Of humanity"
Apart from the information obtained
through Miss Clara Barton, there Is
much 10 be said about the history Of the
convention that led to the Red Cross
Society's formation. and many interest
ing facts about its work on other humane
missions than that Of aiding the wound
ed in battle. Indirectly, the Red Cross
came into being as the result of the ef-
forts Of half a dozen Swiss gentlemen,
notable amongst whom were NM. Henri
Dunant. Gustave Moynier, Or. Appia, and
later, General Dufour. 1t has been just
ly remarked that it was an enterprise
probably without precedent In the history
OF the world; that few private citizens
Of one of the least important of Eu-
ropean States should have conceived, end
carried out the idea Of converting the
Powers of Europe in Congress. The
truth is the times waited for them: they
voiced feelings which had taken a firm
hold upon the national conscience OF all
civilized peoples. The cynical indiffer-
ence Of the military maxim, that it costs
more to cure soldier than to levy a re-
cruit, had long been regarded with alb
horrence. The practice-incredible, were
1t not historical-of discharging with a
small gratuity those who were severely
wounded. to find their way home or leave
their bones on the road, had long been
abrogated. The qualities which 20 TO
make general are no longer limited to
bravery and strategcal ability;
he must have a due regard for the wound
ed and tho sick of his armies. Even |
Napoleon. when the French army was |
forced 10 retreat from st. Jean dare, |
ordered that the members Of his staff |
should give up their horses for the trans |
port OF the wounded; he enforced IL by |
giving up his own chargers and marching |
On foot. One reluctantly adds that IL |
was a course in which policy and human
ty were probably equally blended.
OF THE CONVENTION. |
Briefly, tho principles sanctioned by
he convention are: The care Of the sick
nd wounded by the belligerents without
istlnction OF nationality; soldiers inca
able of serving again shall be sent
ack to their country and not kept os
risoners OF war; hospitals and ambu-
inces shall be regarded as neutral, and
rhen containing sick and wounded shall
OF be appropriated by the enemy; tho
ledical staff shall be considered neutral;
lducements shall be held out TO the
Inhabitants Of the country which may be
he scene OF the conflict TO give aid TO
he sick and wounded; that a nag or
rmlet bearing red cross on a white
round--the right TO the use Of which
hall be granted by the military authert