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
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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
In the autumn of her life honors, like the rich and beautifully colored
leaves from the trees of New England, fell upon Clara Barton in showers.
Twenty-seven testimonials officially were conferred upon America’s
greatest woman philanthropist. The nations thus recognizing her valuable
services to their respective countries are: Germany, Prussia, Austria,
Russia, Switzerland, Servia, Turkey, Armenia, Spain, Portugal and Cuba.
Through official sources it is learned that several of these nations
have under consideration a perpetual Clara Barton memorial, and it is
not improbable that the first great monument to our American
World-Character will be on foreign soil.
Before the organization of the National Red Cross Society, in 1870–71,
Clara Barton was an active participant in relief work on the following
battlefields: Hagenau, Metz, Strasburg, Sedan; in relief work at
Belfort, Woerth, Montbelard; in hospitals at Baden; in relief work in
Paris at the Fall of the Commune; and for some time thereafter
personally assisted in organizing relief work for the sick and wounded
in France.
Clara Barton officially represented the United States Government at the
Red Cross International Conferences. She was appointed by President
Arthur in 1884, as our country’s representative at Geneva, Switzerland;
by President Cleveland in 1887 to the Conference at Carlsruhe, Germany;
by President Harrison in 1890 to the Conference at Rome, Italy; by
President McKinley at Vienna in 1897; by President McKinley in 1902 to
the Conference at St. Petersburg, Russia. In person she attended the
Conference at Geneva, at Carlsruhe, at Vienna and at St. Petersburg.
At Geneva, “Mlle. Barton bien merite de l’human’te,” prepared by an
Italian delegate, was adopted by acclamation by the representatives of
all the governments of Europe—an honor to a woman never before or since
equaled in the world’s history.
At St. Petersburg Clara Barton and party were received by all the
royalty of Russia; entertained by them at dinners, luncheons, on
excursions, given free transportation with an escort, everywhere. At
Carlsruhe she received signal honors at the hands of the Emperor and
Empress of Germany, Grand Duke and Duchess of Baden, Grand Duchess
Luise, Bismarck, Von Moltke, and other statesmen and military officers.
At the palace of the Grand Duchess Louise, she had attendants liveried
in “scarlet and gold”; received all the honors accorded to royalty; and
on leaving for America all Royalty stood hat in hand wishing her _Bon
Voyage_ and _Dieu Vous Benisse_!
XLII
Clara Barton is the greatest woman in the world.
GENERAL W. R. SHAFTER.
Greatness is the courage to exercise common sense in high places.
JUDGE T. M. COOLEY.
General Shafter, while in Santiago as he had been at all other times,
was the kind and courteous officer and gentleman.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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