The thoughtful mind will readily perceive that these responsibilities incurred by relief societies involve constant vigilance and effort, during periods of peace. CLARA BARTON. The Red Cross has stood, unrecognized in the shades of obscurity, all the eighteen years of its existence among us, waiting for sure, alas, too sure the touch of war to light up its dark figure, and set in motion the springs of action. CLARA BARTON. The fundamental principle of good citizenship is willing acquiescence. CLARA BARTON. It will be history by and by to whom Cuba belongs and, while one has to study to learn past history, it is not worth while to let slip that which is all the time making history in our day and generation. CLARA BARTON, in 1874. With funds, or without, the Red Cross has been first on every field of disaster. CLARA BARTON. The cause the American Red Cross is meant to promote stands first in my affections and desires. CLARA BARTON. The Cuban field gave the first opportunity to test the co-operation between the Government and its supplemental hand-maiden, the Red Cross. CLARA BARTON. Thirty years of peace had made it strange to all save the veterans, with their gray beards, and silver-haired matrons of the days of the old war long since passed into history. Could it be possible that men were to learn anew (in Cuba)? Were men again to fall and women to weep? CLARA BARTON. The able and experienced leadership of the President of the Society, Miss Clara Barton, on the fields of battle and at the hospital at the front in Cuba. PRESIDENT WILLIAM MCKINLEY. PRESIDENT MCKINLEY SENDS CLARA BARTON TO CUBA President McKinley personally had subscribed $1,000 to a fund to relieve the starving Cubans. He issued an appeal to the American people; the people responded with barely $50,000. Discouraged, he sent for Clara Barton. Not knowing the President’s desire to see her, Private Secretary Pruden told her that the President was very busy, and probably would not be able to see her until the next day. As she was about to leave Major Pruden said: “Wait a minute, Miss Barton, I’ll take your card in.” Returning, Major Pruden said: “Miss Barton, the President wants very much to see you.” Entering, Miss Barton found the President in conference with Secretary of State Day on the very matter of sending her to Cuba, to take charge of furnishing relief to the starving reconcentrados. The conference, which was to have been held next day, was held at once. At this conference Miss Barton outlined a complete plan of action. The plan was approved by the President, but provided only that Miss Barton herself should go to Cuba to take charge of the relief work. The President, in highest appreciation of her, said: “My dear Miss Barton, this is your work; go to the starving Cubans, if you can with your relief ship, and distribute as only you know how.”