THE STORY OF THE RED CROSS
V.
SOCIETIES SUGGESTED.
“Why did I write ‘Un Souvenir de Solferino’”? M. Dunant asks himself, and replies:
“That societies, like those suggested, with a permanent existence should be organized so that they could be ready to act the moment war was declared. They should receive official recognition from their respective governments, with permission and facilities for continuing their noble work to the end. Among their officials should be the most honorable and esteemed men. In our century of egotism what an attraction for generous hearts and chivalrous characters to brave the same danger as the soldier, with a voluntary mission of peace and consolation! History proves there is nothing chimerical in counting upon such devotion. Two facts especially confirm this. While the Sisters of Charity cared for the sick and wounded of the French army in the Crimea, the Russian and British armies witnessed the arrival from the north and the west of two legions of noble women nurses. The Grand Duchess, Helene Paulowna, of Russia, widow of the Grand Duke Michael, engaged nearly 300 ladies of St. Petersburg and Moscow, provided them with supplies, and sent them to the hospitals in the Crimea, where these good women were blessed by thousands of the soldiers.
“Miss Florence Nightingale, having received from the Minister of War a pressing appeal to help the sick and wounded English soldiers, left for Scutari in November, 1854, with 27 other women. In 1855 Miss Stanley, with 50 more women, went out. The image of Florence Nightingale, her little lamp in hand, passing at night down the vast wards of the military hospitals and taking note of each of the sick and wounded will never be effaced from the hearts of the men who were the objects of her noble charity, and the story of her work will remain forever engraved in history.
“In many cases of similar devotion, ancient and modern, how many proved of little value because they were isolated and were not supported by the sympathy of others intelligently associated together for a common end? Had trained nurses and hospital orderlies been at Castiglione those terrible days of June 24, 25, and 26, how many human lives would have been saved? The sight of so many brave young soldiers crippled by loss of arm or leg returning disconsolately to their homes must arouse a feeling of remorse that no measures had been taken beforehand to prevent such consequences of wounds which would have healed had proper care been given them at first.
“For the accomplishment of such a work help must be immediate, for he who can save the wounded to-day can not save them to-morrow. Why could not such humane work be organized, permanent, and universal, instead of desultory, temporary, and restricted? It appeals to the men of all countries and all ranks, from the monarch to the workingman, for all may take their part in this good work, from the high-born lady to the simple housewife—all who desire to contribute to their neighbor’s welfare. It appeals to the general, to the marshal, the minister of war, the writer, who by his publications may plead for a cause that interests all humanity.”
Dunant also urged the calling of special conferences to formulate an international treaty for the protection of the sick and wounded and the hospital personnel in time of war.
The result of these reflections was the formation in 1863 of the universal work of the Red Cross, which should not only be useful on the battle field in war time, but also in time of epidemic, floods, fires, and catastrophes generally, and in 1864 the first treaty of Geneva, since accepted by all the civilized countries of the world, was signed.
The Bishop of Orleans pronounced this “a beautiful and Christian idea of M. Dunant’s,” observing that “he who does good is the compatriot of all, and deserves a universal passport.”