Evening star., 1915-03-27
REDCROSS HOME
CORNER STONE LAID
President Wilson Uses TroWel
and Former President Taft
Is the Orator.
A MEMORIAL TO HEROIC
WOMEN OF CIVIL WAR
Building to Be Of White Marble, 0c-
cupying Commanding Position
Facing White House.

Facing White House.
woodrow Wilson, president OF the
Omitted States and president OF the
American Red Cross Society, this art
ernoon laid the corner stone OF what Is
% be an eight -hundre INSTRUMENTATION
lar marble home for the American Red
Cross and erected as memorial to the
heroic women of the civil war.
Former President William Howard
Taft, who has been closely associated
with the efforts to upbuild this memo
rial, was orator of the occasion. The
exercises were conducted in tho pres
ence OF a distinguished gathering,
which included members of the cab
met. the Supreme Court of the United
States, the diplomatic corps, the United
states Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives and many patriotic organi-
zatione.
Others on the Program.
other speakers were Miss Mabel L.
BoardInan, chairman of the national
relief board and executive director OF
the American Red Cross; Henry T..
Breckenridge. assistant secretary of
war, speaking for Secretary Garrison
and the other members Of the memo
: rial commission, and Associate Justice
Joseph r. Lamar of the Supreme Court
Of the United States. The Invocation
was by Rev. Henry N Couden, the
blind chaplain of the House of Repre-
sentatives, who lost his sight while
diction was by Rt. Rev. Alfred Hard
ing. Episcopal bishop of Washington
Music was furnished by the Marine
Band.
This first memorial to be erected in
the United States to the heroism, self
sacrifice and patriotism of women is
to front on 18th street. and will face
the White House, occupying the en-.
Gallery and the headquarters of the
Daughters of the American Revolution.
Another of the stately group is the
Pan-American Union building.
Prayer for Worldwide Peace.
prayer for worldwide peace was
voiced by Rev. Henry I. Couden in his
invocation. when after praying for
strength for the Red Cross workers to
continue their work Of mercy 'fn the
cruel and unprecedented war" he ex-
pressed q hope that "out Of 1t win come
revulsion that shall banish forever
the possibilities Of war" His tnvoca-
tion was as follows:
We would praise and magnify Thy
holy name, o God. our heavenly Father.
for that germ of divinity which Thou
hast woven into the heart of man.
which makes him living soul and the
whole world akin. and which in times
Of crises lifts him out of the material
into the realms of the eternals: makes
him a hero whose deeds live blessing
20 mankind.
we are here to place the corner
stone of building to be erected and
dedicated to the noble women, north
and south, who gave themselves to the
alienation of suffering and distress,
when our republic was rent and torn
by q fratricidal war
Some of us here today can yet feel
the touch Of deft fingers pouring in oil
and wine, binding up the gaping
wounds. which ached and pained: we
can still hear the sympathetic voice
and feel the warnth of the loving
heart which touched our hearts with
hope and courage.
Long may this building stand, pre-
cious memorial. and be an inspiration
10 those who shall come after US to go
and do likewise, where the healing
touch and words of consolation are
needed. in peace or in war.
I'VE thank Thee that 1t is to be the
national home of the Red Cross, which
above the roar OF strife and din OF bat
tie comes an angel of succor and mercy.
Be with those now giving themselves
to soothe the suffering, cheer the dying.
feeding the hungry. giving shelter to
the homeless, the widows and orphans
incident to the cruel and unprecedented
war.
Grant, o most merciful Father. that
out of 1t may come feeling of revul-
sion which shall Danish forever the pos
sibilities of war. Be graciously near
30 our President and his advisers. that
he may be able TO guide the ship of
state in safety through the storms rag
ing round US to a peaceful harbor-
Hasten the day, o God, our Heavenly
Father, when peace shall reign supreme
and make the old world vocal with an
thems Of praise In which the angels of
heaven may join. In the name OF the
Prince of Peace, who taught us to
".our Father who art in heaven, hal
lowed by Thy name. Thy kingdom come
Thy viii be done in earth. as 1t is in
heaven. Give US this day our daily
bread. And forgive us our debts. as
We forgive our debtors. And lead us
not into temptation. but deliver US from
evil For thine Is the Kingdom. and the
power and the glory. forever. Amen"
Miss Boardman Gives History.
In q historical sketch OF tho efforts
that led to the laying OF the corner
stone Of the memorial Miss Mabel r.
Boardman. chairman Of the national
relief board Of the American Red Cross
raid:
1T is due to Capt James A. Scrymser
Of New York that the heroic women OF
the civil war are finally to receive a
Justly beautiful recognition. and that
there will be turned into marble a Red
Cross castle in the air
April 90 1851, when President Lin
coin had issued his call for $1,000 vol
unteers, two young men-Francts G
Barlow and James II. Scrymser-en-
listed az third sergeants In the Engt-
neer Corps of the 18th New York Regf-
ment That evening Mr.. Barlow Wa.
married. and the next day the regi-
ment sailed for Annapolis.
Following her boyish husband, Mrs
Barlow came to Washington. Before
Antietam she walked all night to be
near the battle line and so was able
to care for him when he fell there
terribly wounded. At Gettysburg, wher
Gen. Barlow-for his ability won rapid
promotion-was again seriously wound
ed and was left within tho Confederate
lines. his devoted wife pleaded in vaiI
Tor permission to cross over TO him
Undaunted. at daybreak. in spite OF
sentrfes fire. she ran from one army
10 the other, finding her way to heI
husbands side.
Falls Victim to Fever.
"A third time the brave soldier was dss
perately wounded and third tme in q
hospital at Washington Mrs. Barlow
rurssd him back to life. When not Will
her husband. all Of her Tina and Aner4y