The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1898-05-27

0REsoLVED THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE ISLAND OF CUB
RED CROSS AUXILIARY.
Mrs. Lesser, Returned from Cuba
Speaks to Morristown Ladies.

Or. Pierson Calls the Meeting and INDUCES
in War Remfniscences-A Word for the
Grand Army Man-Mrs. Lesser tells the
Story of the Red Cross and Her Expert
ence with Mrs Barton in Cuba Work of
the Local Society.
At the initial meeting of the Red Cross
in Morristown held yesterday afternoon
at the G.. A. r. Hall, the attendance was
large and representative, far outdoing
the expectations of the leaders in the
movement. About a hundred and fifty
ladies were present and few gentlemen,
and the meeting was really noted for its
patriotic enthusiasm. DR.. Stephen Pier
son, whose sterling patriotism and worth
as a citizen are ever at command, was
chosen to open the meeting, which he did
in his usual happy way, In his opening
remarks he paid touching tribute to the
loyalty of American women. Referring
to the present times he said that good
times were not always the best times for
man or for nation, and prosperity is not
always best. Mans intellectual, spirit
ual and animal nature must be devel-
oped equally, and there are things just as
necessary to learn as that taught in col
lege, and the best stuff in manhood and
womanhood is that developed by test and
trial. Whatever may have been thought
about the present war several weeks ago,
there was hardly house in Morristown
that did not fling out the flag at the dec
laration of war. Touching the Red Cross
work, he drew from his own experience
events and coincidents that make the
Red Cross work necessary; recalling the
days of '62 go, with battle scenes from
his own experience, noting the bond of
union that now exists between the north
and south, the confederate and the
union soldier. ssTo-day we are all proud
of the stars and stripes proud of Fitz-
hugh Lee and proud of General Sewell."
He was glad the meeting was held in the
Grand Army rooms. Grand Army
men," he said sget some pretty hard
knocks in these days, but men of sixty
one and sixty-tive, think you might be
a little easy on the Grand Army Man so
far as pensions go"
Mrs. Lesser of New York, sister-ir
chief of Red Cross hospital, who was an
nounced to be present, was then intro
duced and gave an intensely interesting
address on the organization and work Of
the Red Cross since its inception in Switz-
erland thirty-six years ago, which was
fully told in the CHRONICLE of last week.
Mrs. Lesser then gave opportunity for
questions and answered those proposed
in very practical way, setting forth
every phase of the work. Being asked
if the Cross had any religious signif-
canoe, she replied that the organization
had to do with no religious order, but
recognized all religions. The Red Cross
flag was adopted simply as the reverse
OF the Swiss flag. Red Cross surgeons,
nurses and workers, wear no arms and
are recognized by the sixty-two nations
who are parties to the Red Cross treaty.
So there was not the slightest difficulty or
hindrance to work where proper means
and sufficient funds were provided. Suf-
ferers of all nations are treated alike,
and in the present war all injured, wheth-
er Americans, Cubans or Spaniards, will
command the same attention. During
Miss Barton's recent visit in Cuba she
had established an orphanage and inter-
ested herself very much in two hospitals
working among the starving reconcentra-
dos. All supplies sent to her in the name
of the Red Cross were carefully guarded
and even now Gen. Blanco had special
guard of soldiers on constant duty about
the Red Cross buildings. Mrs. Lesser.
on being further questioned, admitted
that she had been present with Miss
Barton in her recent efforts in Cuba, and
was especially interested in the children,
who were picked up from the streets in
pitifully starving and dying conditions,
and had been washed, fed and made
comfortable. The work to her had been
most interesting and the frightened
faces of the little ones had well repaid
her efforts. 1t was further explained
that funds raised for the Red Cross could
be devoted to any special branch of the
work that the donors wished and if the
necessity did not arise the funds could
be directed to other channels on consent
of the auxiliary; if there was no need for
the money it would be returned.
Miss Louisa E. Keasby, secretary of
of the local auxiliary, presented the plan
of the work as already laid out. A room
in McAlpin Hall has been secured as a
headquarters, to be opened on Saturday
at 10 a. m. and from to 6 p. M, and
the first work of the auxiliary would be
to make 100 night shirts and number
+ of pajamas, which the New York com
mite had requested by June Is. All in
terested in the work should visit the
headquarters and secure material, etc.
Subscriptions will be received by the
treasurer, Miss Sarah Randolph, 116
Cor III cfrnnf f,,s az %I,t hoo