Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-09
10000 AT CEREMONY.
Gov. Roosevelt Pays Tribute to Woman's
Great Work.

Great Work.
EVANSVILLE, N Y, September9 up.
"A Nations tribute to Clara Barton,
mother Of the Red Cross, was offered
today at celebration In commemora-
ton of the founding SO years ago in this
little health center of the first chapter
of the American Red Cross.
Early in the day the vanguard of an
audience expected to reach the 10000
mark began to arrive in the spacious
natural amphitheater of Stony Brook
State Park. l mile south of this will
lage.
Discouraged by her protracted strug-
gle to overcome prejudice in Congress
against the Geneva Red Cross treaty,
Miss Barton first came to Evansville in
1876, and for a period of 10 years spent
much of her time here
She had worked hard to persuade
President Garfield to recognize the
treaty, but before he could act on his
promise to do so an assassin's bullet
ended his life.
Has Breakdown.
After forming the national organi-
cation in Washington May 81, 1881,
Miss Barton returned here to recuper-
ate from a breakdown caused by over
exertion.
She already had seen notable serv-
ice in the Civil War and Franco
PrusSian War. Later she was in charge
of relief in Cuba during the war with
Spain and for a quarter of a century
there was no disaster from food, fire,
famine or pestilence in the world that
did not find her laboring for the cause
of humanity.
Despite her poor health, she gave
unstintingly Of her time and thought
to formation of local chapter and
at meeting August %, 1881. ST men,
berS were enrolled in the first chapter
Only seventeen of the charter members
new are living.
Relief Is Started.
October 8, 1881, Rochester organized
the second chapter, to be followed
by Syracuse. All three joined within
a month to send relief to sufferers
from forest fires in Michigan-the first
disaster relief to be undertaken in this
country under the banner of the Red
Cross
Miss Barton served as president OF
the American Red Cross for % years
retiring eight years before her death
in 1912, at Glen Echo, Md, at the
age of 81.
The assertion that lit Is the duty
of the community at all times to care
for those of its members who suffer
or are in want was made by Gov
Franklin D. Roosevelt in an address
at the celebration of the 5Oth ami
versary of the founding here by Clara
Barton of the first Red Cross Chapter
in America.
Aims Are Discussed.
ITO this high aim," he said, 1--WE
dedicate our functions of government
our towns, our counties and our State. "
Clara Barton represents to mankind
more than the founder of a great
society with membership of millions
of men and women throughout the
land" The Governor said. For that
work begun here she will always rank
as leader in American public service.
THE State of New York takes pride
in her noble womanhood and joins
with the President of the United States
in national recognition of her great
service. Monuments of stone, tablets
of bronze will rise to her memory, but
I think speak for the people of this
State when I say that the best and
highest tribute which We can pay to
her will rest in a deep understanding
among all elements of our population,
that no modern social order can rest
secure without recognition of the duty
of the community at all times to care
for those of its members who suffer or
are in want"