Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-20
Why We Do Il Gladly.

State Librarian Dunnack, campaign
manager Of the Red Cross drive in
Augusta, tells US that he has never
elected such unanimous and heartfelt
response as in this appeal for the Red
Cross fund. Everywhere the interest
manifest il undivided and sincere. At
large manufacturing places groups OF
employees meet him in the same dead
earnest" spirit that he presents the
cause.
When we consider the history Of the
movement, We cannot be surprised at
the interest OF Maine people in this Red
Cross work-they know its purpose. its
meaning and its success. Maine people
have followed the activities Of some OF
its most illustrious sons and daughters
IN behalf Of the humane services OF the
Red Cross nurse. and the mighty or
ganization for relief Of distress that
has grown out Of it. Let US only men
ton poro.hea Lynde Dix, James G..
Blaine and Clara Barton.
At the outbreak Of the Civil War
Corothea Dix. born in Hampden
Maine, was in the South and there dis
covered an organized conspiracy to
seize Washington with its archives and
records, assassinate the President and
declare the Confederacy the de facto
government. She sent warning to the
National Capital and detectives We're
able to verify her statements. She
then offered her services to the war de-
partment. was made superintendent OF
women nurses. and served with untirr
ing energy throughout the war. The
history Of the arduous labors of Miss
Dix in those years is inspiring and
must never fade from the memory of
the American people.
Maine people saw in the achievements
OF this daughter of the Pine Tree State,
the true meaning Of Red Cross work.
And II was while our Civil War was at
It's bloodiest that the Convention Of
Geneva proposed a code Of internation-
al enactments and made recommends
lions which were later adopted and
have since been acceded to by every
civilized nation. The United States,
then At war was not a signatory pow
err. That accomplishment was left for
James G. Blaine. years afterward.
But first let US recall one whose hu-
name service is known to even the
children Of Maine. and who was per-
sonally known TO many from her visits
ton. Or. stephen Barton. Sr., was
Clara Harlowe Barton's grandfather,
coming - Maine and taking up a tim
Der tract in the town Of Windsor after
retiring from active practice as a ply
sician. Her father, Stephen Barton.
Jr.. was a captain under Mad An
thony" Wayne. but younger brothers
we're with their father in Maine.
After the breaking out OF the Civil
War Clara Barton came to oxford.
Mass, to see her father in his last ILL
ness and told him of her desire to do
for the soldiers in that conflict what
Florence Nightingale had achieved.
stephen Barton knew what a woman
must face in such work and in society
daughter, but finally said. in sub
stance: You are a soldiers daughter
and II you feel that duty calls you to
this ser, ice, go-do not wait for my
passing"
And Clara Barton went. and aided in
the care Of the sick and wounded
throughout the war. In 1869 while in
Geneva she met members of the Inter-
national Red Cross Society who ex-
pressed regrets that America had not
signed the treaty. Eight years later
Miss Barton received a letter from the
president Of the International Red
Cross to be delivered to President
Hayes. This obtained no results and
another attempt was made through
President Garfield in 1851. Mr.. Blaine
responded giving assurance that adop-
ton of the treaty would be recon-
mende6 20 Congress.
Just how Mr.. Blaine's influence
finally overcame the "entangling all-
ance" bugaboo is not matter of pub
lie history, but after Garfield was
assassinated. Mr.. Blaine and President
Arthur secured confirmation by Con-
gress of the Geneva treaty's adoption.
The anna zing growth Of the Red Cross
organisation. service. and public inter-