Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-08


for articles of wearing apparel, bed linen.
and surgical dressings prepared under us
auspices.
In order that the large group Of voiun-
teers should have definite information 10
guide their work. course or instruction
in the preparation of surgical dressings
has been planned.
Women in all parts of the country are
taking this course. upon the successIui
completion of which certificate Is issued
while to those who demonstrate their
ability to act as instructors special
card certifying to this fact Is issued.
BY this means large numbers or volun,
instructors who would be invaluable 70
take charge Of surgical supply depart
ments in Base Hospitals or supply depots
elsewhere in event of war
Though only twelve years have passed
since the reorganization Of the American
Red Cross as national organization, IL
has gone into a hundred fields or misery
and distress. bringing help and consola-
ticn.
Today not only in every European war
smitten country, but in troubled Mexico
in flood stricken China. in far storm
swept Samoa, 1t is aiding helpless Vlctims
of mans wrath and Of natures great de-
Structive forces.
The call has gone out to every citizen of
the United States to help the American
made upon It. call to increase the mem
bership to 100000 members. Little Japan,
with a population of 100000, has over
100000 Red Cross members. and the
United States with population OF lU,-
100000, has less than 100000 members
There is work for all of US In enlisting
the interest of all whom we know, IN pc
coming members and thus helping In this
colossal work.
lso. Headquarters at Warrington
At Washington. has recently been COM
pleted a white marble building to be used
as headquarters for the American led
Cross.
1t is Memorial to the Heroic Women
of the Civil War" The words of the ap-
peal Of the Loyal Legion which frst
started the memorial plan. express the
Comrades, these women were your moth
ers, your sisters. and your wives. lou
knew that they were your co-equals In
labor and more than your equals In bit
terness of sorrow, for in your absence AT
the front they bore your burdens on their
shoulders and your suffering in their
hearts. Will you quit the battlefield OF
life and leave no enduring expression of
your appreciation? Give, therefore. you
who are able. Give even of your poverty.
The last roll call is near. Forgetfulness
is injustice. Remembrance is sacred
duty"
On the walls of this memorial will be
placed a tablet bearing this inscription:
"a Memorial built by the Government Of
the United States and Patriotic Citizens
to the Women of the North and the
Women Of the South in loving memory OF
a now united country
That their labors to mitigate the suHer-
ingS of the sick and wounded in war may
be forever perpetuated this memorial is
dedicated to the American Red Cross"
161. Appeal to Patriotism-Ih clos
ing let me quote the appeal to the men,
bers of the Red Cross by Mr.. Elliot
Wadsworth, the acting chairman OF the
National Red Cross:
at this time of national trial, when
every one is keyed to a spirit Of particu-
lar sacrifice and desire to help cannot
insist too strongly nor too often that the
Red Cross is the only volunteer relief or
ganization recognized by the United
States Government.
Now is the time when we must unity
our national efforts. Numbers of self
years have given all their time and en-
thusiasm to specialized relief. But now
the conditions are all changed. 1t Is the
United States itself that may need our
organized assistance. We do not know
at what moment this Country may de-
mand our uttermost resources.
There ~ no possibility of divided SYM
patty. and our Government has made it
plain beyond doubt that where America
is suffering or in danger Of suffering, the
American Red Cross must bear the bur
den of national relief and command the
loyal and devoted help of the entire coun-
ask and obtain the undivided support Of
patriotic Americans everywhere.
With the knowledge of the work done
by the heroic women Of the North and
South as perpetuated by the Memorial at
Washington. and with the appeal to SER
vice by Elliot Wadsworth ringing in our
ears, the nurses Of Maine will not. l am
sure. he found wanting in their endeavors
to serve our country in its time OF need
Let US help our country to be prepared
to meet the needs Of disaster or war. by
Offering our services NOW, so that it may
know it's resources for aid, rather than
wait until the demand for aid comes, ana
then when all is confusion, add to the al
ready overtaxed members of the National
Committee the burden of enrolling tardy
members.
Surely, with the knowledge obtained
through our training schools and subse-
,uuent experience. the graduate nurses OF
Maine will rot be found less willing to
give their services than those noble wonl-
en- who with little or no training did such
heroic work during our Civil War. I beg
that you lose no time in securing your
enrolment. so that in case of need. we
may be able to minister to those who are
doing so much to protect our homes. our
lives and our honor.