The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-06-14
A Local Organization with World
wide A&inhles
(By R.@T. Patten)

10y II. u. fattent
Few among us have not seen, In
large posters or on other publicity
material, the familiar Red Cross on
white back ground. Most of us
have a fairly vivid memory of the
order represented by this sign. We
know that it stands for relief of SUI
fering. Perhaps very few could,
however, tell a definite story about 1t.
Skowhegan has a Red Cross Chap
ter, with headquarters in, t. iniei-
pal Building and a nur9e I tiss Par
kerr who constantly bugs hs1s 4 in
spreading abroad knc fie1ge which
will help people to help themselves
and by this self-heip helping the COM
munlty in" which we live. Our Or
ganzation is unit with others which
make Up the National body. the
American Red Cross. This in turn
IS somewhat loosely federated with
organizations throughout the world.
so members of Skowhegan's Red
Cross Chapter may consider them
selves one with other broad minded
men and women the world over.
Many wonderful inventions and
numerous great reforms have had
their origin In the United States; the
Red Cross, one of the most beneficient
activities of the human race, cannot
be credited to our country. 1t was
born of the horror and suffering
brought to the attention, almost by
chance, of traveller through the
war area in the struggle between the
French and the Austrians in 1859.
Shocked and disturbed at the suffer-
ing which he could do SO little to al
leyiate he rested not until he had
formed an association, the purpose of
which was to soften somewhat the err
rors of future wars.
Then as the organization was
perfected in Switzerland the Red
Cross emblem already described was
selected in honor of that country. II
Is the same form, the same colors, but
In exactly reverse order of the Swiss
national flag.
1t is not to be supposed that we, as
municipality or the Uuited States
as a nation, would be utterly without
| an association of this character, even
il the Red Cross had never come into
being. Civilization in its progress
would have compelled as to adopt
some measure for the relief of dis
tress In war and that some of the cat
astrophies of peace. We could not
rope however to have perfected a sys-
tenn superior to the Red Cross and In
all probability we should not have or
iginated one anything near as effici-
emit
| Establishing our local chapter, ac-
cerding to the National and Interna-
tional Red Cross program, we have
] the benefit of the accumulated
knowledge of the best minds and
most noble impulses Of several gen.
erations. The mistakes usual to
such undertakings have pretty much
all been experimental, and the ways
OF avoiding them made plain.
The wish Is natural of course to
| care for those nearest to us. There
is a tendency perhaps to avoid res
| possibility as to the rest OF the
world. Notwithstanding this IL
| would be n strange mind ii entirely
devoid of sympathy for suffering hui
mainly anywhere and no one can fail
! to get some little satisfaction, usually
| a great deal, from the knowledge that
| we here, even in remote way, are
aiding In a relief work which Is as
broad as the race.
! There is further consideration
somewhat wore selfish in its conoep-
ton. We know that our National
and International alliance places us
In such relation that should an extra
ordinary catastrophe overtake us we
should be Immediately in touch with
the National body, a relief organiza-
ton capable of copying promptly with
any emergency, no matter how extern
sive.
All these things should make us In
terested and proud to be counted as
members of the Red Cross; should
make each willing to undertake the
comparatively small sacrifice which
that membership requires.