New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-12
WOU4N'S WORK ~ THE WAR.
WIFE OF SENATOR LINDSAY PRAISES RED
CROSS AND SIMILAR ORDERS

The work done by the women ~ our country
during the war with Spain does not mark new
era I'm the history ~ woman or demonstrate the
existence II "A new status for her" said Eleanor
Holmes Lindsay the wife OF the Senator from Ken
lucky to a Tribune reporter yesterday. Patriot
ism philanthropy and self-sacrfce have always
been the characteristics Of woman in times OF pub
lie distress or national calamity.
I'm the past the work OF has been OBJ
scured by the narrow range OF duties 10 which the
preJudces OF man confined her efforts, or because
devotion has made her prefer 10 assist those she
loved rather than 20 work for the recognition Of
her talents Great women belong to history and
self-sacrince
"The efficiency OF woman tender nurse OF the
sick or wounded has ever been conceded. but It
was not until the present war that her capacity for
organization and her ability TO lead in combining
the means Necessary for the accomplishment Of
great ends has been generally acknowledged.
The Red Cross organization has shown itself
scarcely second to the carefully organized and lib
orally paid medical bureau Of our War Department.
The Colonial Danes have done much good work
and the Daughters Of the American Revolution
have converted themselves into active agents for
the distribution OF clothing and delcaccs to our SUI
ferlng soldiers AMI for supplying our hospitals with
skilful nurses with readiness and facility that
have excited surprise and compelled admiration.
Tho Army has felt the benefit OF the work organ
tied by Mrs Walworth.
THAT so much has been done by these and other
noble In practical way Is a matter OF the
slncerest qualification. but IL Is not merely that
which has been actually accomplished for which
woman may congratulate herself. Her zeal. her
intelligence and her patriotic devotion have con-
WINGED those who doubted that In war. pestilence
and calamity there is no limit To the usefulness and
efficiency Of woman 'ministering angel ana
secured for her that acknowledgment which gives
the freest and most unembarrassed play TO capac-
ity and devotion.
THE world has again witnessed the touching
sight OF the fortudc OF delicate women, reared In
carefully protected homes. meeting hardships and
becoming the comforters and nurses OF our sick and
wounded soldiers How We admired our sisters Ike
Miss Wheeler who went forth with 'modesty Ill
her forehead. sweetness in her mouth, and labor In
her hands We should rejoice that the strength
OF her heart made h. brave.
"Other scenes which proved patriotism were often
witnessed I'm the meetng-room In washington or
q little society formed by Mrs Lddington. wife OF
he Quarterraster- General Of the Army. During
Gals and the mothers OF soldiers sewed freessly
with miners dressmakers and otner women too
poor give money. but longing to help. This
small gathering OF workers increased In Industry
until the last counting showed thar seventeen thou
sand articles had been made and sent South.
at said by RuskIn that there was never a
war in the world but for which woman
answerable; not that she provoked, but that. with
her influence she did not hinder 1t. Whether this
charge be just unjust. II may now be accepted
Of all mon that women viii far reduce the
horrors and alleviate the sLfrerings OF future
wars that may. with some show CT reason
speak the ncomprehensible and self-contradictory
words civilized warfare"