Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-30

vi eiic history ana present
"orid significance of the Red Cross, both
national and international. In and
through this mighty organization Chris
uanlty survives triumphant at a time
"hen many mans faith in God and
DIVINE justice has been sorely tried.
MI. Dunnack's address was scholarly.
comprehensive and replete with eloquent
and imprisoned appeal, and the Rota-
rlans gave the gifted Red Cross cam.
palgn manager an exceedingly glad hand
THE AMERICAN SPIRIT
AND THE RED CROSS
In the ancient story "noblesse
obllge' was the inspiring slogan of
men. Today ability creates opportu-
mites and imposes OBLIGATIONS. Every
man who has caught the modern spir-
II seeks, gold, learning, power, that
he may serve all humanity.
The Red Cross speaks forth the
Ideals and spirit of the new America
1t is like our Government result of
long years of growth. Humanitarian
Ideals were not wanting in the begin
ming days of history. In the earlier
history of Egypt, physicians were en-
ployed by the state, paid from the pub
lie treasury. and the soldiers being
held in high regard, received their
care without charge. Skilful men gave
first aid during the Trojan war. Keno
phon reports that Cyrus commanded
his surgeons to care also for the enc
my's wounded. The Hebrews built
their cities Of refuge, that even vio-
lators of the law might have a fair
hearing.
AS law has its home in the heart of
God, SO humanitarian ideals seem a
part of the soul life of all men. This
spirit is found among all races and
has had a home in all nations. To
care for the ignorant, the weak, the
poor and the unfortunate, has ever
been the mark of growing souls and
on marching civilization.
In the days of the Roman Empire
the care of the sick and wounded de-
pended upon his value as a slave or
as a gladiator. The life of the SOL
der was an asset to the State, there
fore, they were we'll cared for. Under
the Roman generals military hospitals
were set up. In fact, the military hos
pital itself dates from the time of the
Roman Expire. The doctors held mill
tary rank and received double pay.
1t was not, however, until the tenth
century that hospitals for the sick be-
came separate Institutions. The Cru
sades gave them birth. At Jerusalem
II the hospital Of ST. John, we find the
c.adle of the famous order of the
knights Hospitallers of St. John of
jerusalem of Rhodes and Malta.
During the Thirty Years War the
Sisters of Charity was founded by
st. Vincent de Paul. Queen Isabella
of Spain in the fifteenth century dur
ing the siege of Granada, established
what was known as the "Qucen'S Hos
pital" for the care of the wounded
soldiers In 1854 Arras, around which
lately there has been so much fight
ing. was besieged, and at that time
Jeanne Biscot set up hospitals for the
care of the wounded soldiers. During
the siege of Quebec the Sisters nursed
both the French and English. They
busted themselves knitting long stock
ings for the bare knees of the High
landers, which Parkman says the men
accepted with gratitude. though at a
loss to know whether charity or mod
esty prompted the act
Progress continued in the work Of
caring for soldiers, but it was very
slow. In the eighteenth century there
was several instances of agreement
between officers of armies. to protect
and care for each others wounded. In
the French and Austrian war DR.. Per-
cy suggested that all hospitals be con-
sidered sacred asylums, and this idea
was adopted.
During our Revolutionary war the
care of the sick was no more advanced
than that in Europe. The entire army,
which numbered 231,791, faced not only
the enemy from q foreign shore, but
hunger and cold. Without proper
clothing or shoes they daily faced
death from exposure and disease.
Forty years after Waterloo, England
and France united to war against Rus
STA. After the battle Of Alma, the Eng
lish secretary of war, wrote to Flor
ence Nightingale, asking for her help
in caring for the wounded. Her ans
wcr was, to start for the Crimea with
IS nurses. They arrived just after the
battle of Inkerrnan. They found the
conditions in the hospitals terrible be-
yond description, As per cent. of the
patients died.
In this crisis Florence Nightingale
heard the call from the unseen She
was born again. All her vast power
to organize, her tact to command and
her sympathetic comprehension found
expression. She gave to womanhood
new field of work: she gave the world
a new Interpretation of brotherhood.
Since her day weakness, suffering, ig-
norance, all human need has meant
service for the more fortunate.
The Birth Of the Red Cross
In June. 1859, the battle Of Solferino
was fought by the French against the
Austrians. At the close Of the battle
$4,000 French and 10000 Austrians
were either dead or wounded. For days
after the battle the dead remained I'M
buried, and the wounded. unaided,
crawled away as best they could. seek
ing shelter and help.
Henri Dunant Of Switzerland happen
ed to be near the battlefield. He join
ed in the work Of relief He was so
impressed and disturbed by the scenes
he witnessed that he called a meeting
of the Society of Public Utility of Cen
eva" in FEBRUARY, 1868. and laid the
matter fully before them. Mr.. Dunant
was made chairman of the committee.
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