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

by Charles Sumner Young

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CHARLES E. TOWNSEND
Michigan people have special reason to venerate the memory of Clara Barton.—Charles E. Townsend, of Michigan. Senate, 1911——.

UNITED STATES SENATORS WHO SAW THE WORK OF CLARA BARTON

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JACOB H. GALLINGER
In my investigations (in Cuba) I visited the orphanage under the care of that sainted woman, Clara Barton. I wish I could command language eloquent enough to pay just tribute to her,—a very angel of mercy, and of human love and sympathy. God bless Clara Barton.—Jacob H. Gallinger, of New Hampshire. Senate 1891–1915.

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H. D. MONEY
Everybody knows Clara Barton’s work, and when I mention the name of that lady, it is not only with respect but reverence, for I have seen her work in foreign lands, in hospitals, and amid scenes of suffering and distress.—H. D. Money, of Mississippi. Senate 1897–1911.

where birds sang to her beautiful songs, and where flourished sweetest scented flowers.

Within that house on the Potomac, Clara Barton received from President McKinley the command: “Go to the starving Cubans with your relief ship, and distribute as only you know how.” In haste to carry out that command, when nearing the point of service, she begged that she might have the right of way. “Not so,” said the Admiral of the Navy; “I am here to keep the supplies out of Cuba; I go first.” Clara Barton replied: “I know my place is not to precede you. When you make an opening, I will go in. You will go and do the horrible deed; I will follow you, and out of the human wreckage restore what I can.” Having herself achieved a place in unusual fields of public service, in this war timely the advice of Clara Barton: “Woman, there is a place for thee, my hitherto timid, shrinking child; go forth and fill it, that in thee mankind may be doubly blessed.”

Following the precedent of him who was “first in war, first in peace,” in war and in peace at her own expense and without salary, Clara Barton served her country. Hers was the patriotism of a Washington, “What is money without a country.” In the early days of the Civil War, as to the probable capture of the City of Washington by the Confederates, she exclaimed: “If it must be, let it come, and when there is no longer a soldier’s arm to raise the Stars and Stripes above the Capitol, may God give strength to mine.” In defiance of sentiment as to the propriety for a “lone-woman” to go with the soldiers on the battlefield, she conformed to her father’s patriot-sentiment, “Go, if it is your duty to go.”