The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-03-16

treaty.
1t was found that modification OF
and some additions TO the original
treaty as It exists in Europe were nee
essary to adapt 1t to the needs OF our
country. In the Old World, where war
Is O continual menace, the Red Cross
has kept to Its first purpose-that of
caring for. the sick and wounded Of
belligerent armies. The United States,
though comparatively exempt from the
dangers of war by reasons of Geograph-
ical and political situation has other
national calamlties to contend with.
Floods, fires. cyclones, pestilence come
without warning, and to avert vast suf-
Eering relief must be swift. In order to
accomplish the. most good, complete
provision must be always ready to meet
any disaster caused by the unclaimed
elements The first great disaster after
the American Red Cross came into be-
ing. (aLiyear before President Arthur
had signed the treaty.. was the forest
fires inaISlichisan. When the words
flashed over the wires that thousands,
fleeing for their lives from burning
buildings. were without food, Miss Bar
ton, president Of the Central Society In
Washington, telegraphea the committee
in Milwaukee and Chicago, to hasten to
the scene. In few hours they were
en- route, while she, and as many as
slstants as she thought necessary, at
once set out. with carloads OF proviS-
ions and all essentials.
Twelve great national calamlties have
already claimed the serviceg of the
American Red Cross. After the Michi-
gun fires came the Ohio and Mississippi
floods, OF 1852. Then the Mississippi cy-
clone; again the floods Of 1881; the Viz
Ginia epidemic; the Texas drought, the
Charleston earthquake; the Johnstown
flood; the cyclone and tidal wave of the
Sea Islands Of South Carolina, etc. And
everybody knows the great work which
the society accomplished among the
Russian peasants In 81 and 80 and later
among the prosecuted Armenians
When the great floods In the Ohio and
Mississippi valleys occurred and 1t was
Nscertalned that widespread suffering
existed, Miss Barton sent notice to the
Associated Press that she would 60 TO
the rescue. Immediately supplies and
money by the thousands poured In
Boats were chartered and loaded with
every description Of supplies, including
forage for cattle. Down the long rlv-
ers they steamed. stopping Mt all the
towns and villages along the way where.
want was known to prevail. Quickly
the citizens werc called together and
committee organized to distribute sup
plies; and then the boat steamed on.
The first intimatlon that the inhabl-
tants had that relief was coming was
when the boat with the magical Red
Cross emblem upon 1t, drew up to their
shores, and Miss Barton, with the same
blazon on her arm, stepped over the
gang plank and began TO assemble the
stricken people. Truly. she must have
seemed like All angel from n better
world
The vital idea Of the Red Cross Is
not charlty-it scorns the word but
hclpfulness, friendlincss. 1t Is n privi-
lcge TO do for those in trouble for in
the Good Samaritan sense. they arc
neiahbors. Human brotherhood Is the
Red Cross creed, and the religion OF
Jesus Christ. MS embodied In the words
Love one another" Is Its animatlne
principle. FANNIE D. WARD.
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