Clara Barton: A Centenary Tribute to the World's Greatest Humanitarian: Founder of the American Red Cross Society, Author of the American Amendment to the International Red Cross Convention of Geneva, Founder of the National First Aid Association of AmericaYoung, Charles Sumner
History
Clara Barton: A Centenary Tribute to the World's Greatest Humanitarian: Founder of the American Red Cross Society, Author of the American Amendment to the International Red Cross Convention of Geneva, Founder of the National First Aid Association of America
Young, Charles Sumner
Barton, Clara, 1821-1912
Through the reputation of Clara Barton, the adhesion of the Government
to the “Treaty of Geneva” had been secured; by Congressional action and
the signature of the President, a national charter had been granted; the
American Government had given official recognition to the American Red
Cross. The American people recognize that, when the Mother of the Red
Cross retired from the Presidency, what she then said was true: “When I
retired from the Red Cross, my little nursling (Red Cross) had grown to
manhood. It was taken over with the highest reputation of any
organization in the country—its methods settled, its organization
unexceptional, its prestige assured at home and abroad, and a balance of
funds subject to its call, and sufficient for all its needs.”
A greater need arose; the call came and, Clara Barton’s home people in
Massachusetts leading all others in the Red Cross spirit, the American
people responded. They responded, up to January 1, 1918, to the number
of 21,000,000 in memberships, with 9,000,000 members additional of the
Junior Red Cross. Besides, there were more than 8,000,000 volunteer Red
Cross workers. The memberships, and volunteer enrollment workers, were
made possible on the lines laid down by Clara Barton; “I would recommend
the enrolling of the whole country under the banner of the Red Cross.”
In the first drive for funds, the Red Cross realized $110,000,000; in
the second drive, $135,819,911.56; a total in the two drives of
$245,818,911.56.
In less than eleven months the American people contributed more than
$300,000,000 to the Red Cross; through the World War up to February 18,
1919 $400,000,000. This enormous amount of money was used for the
benefit of the millions of soldiers and others, of this country and of
the allies. The foregoing memberships and financial strength have
verified Clara Barton’s conception of the Red Cross possibilities:
“The Red Cross is capable of becoming the largest organization in the
United States and one of the most useful.”
Of what she had done in her life-time, Governor W. R. Stubbs of Kansas
said: “Looking over history as far back as Mary of Galilee, I cannot
recall where God has chosen a maid servant—who has done more for
humanity than Clara Barton.” In prophecy of the future results of her
life’s work, Honorable George F. Hoar in the United States Senate said:
“Known not only throughout our land, but throughout the whole civilized
world, countless millions and uncounted generations will profit by the
humanity of which Clara Barton has been largely the embodiment.”
LXXXI
Clara Barton—America’s foremost philanthropist.
Pasadena (Calif.) _News_.
Clara Barton—the usefulness of this extraordinary woman.
San Jose (Calif.) _Herald_.
Clara Barton—the most useful woman of her day.
Bangor (Me.) _News_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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