LXXV

The Red Cross Organization has been built up largely by the heroic work of Clara Barton.Frederick H. Gillett, Chairman (1900) House Committee on Foreign Relations; now Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Honor to whom honor is due.St. Paul.

Never did an organization select so wisely and elect so judiciously as did the National Red Cross Association when it chose Clara Barton to preside over its beneficent work.

Johnstown (Pa.)Democrat.

In Cuba, the Red Cross Society snatched thousands from the grave and made the sufferings of other thousands much lighter. But for Clara Barton America would today have been a stranger to the Red Cross and its beneficent work.Doctor Henry M. Lathrop.Author of “Under the Red Cross; or the Spanish-American War.”

Miss Barton’s well-known ability, her long devotion to the noble work of extending relief to suffering in different lands, as well as her highest character as a woman, commend her to the highest consideration and good will of all people.

President William McKinley.

Officers and men unite in saying that too much praise cannot be given those noble Christian women, Clara Barton and her assistants, for their gentle care, their tender solicitude and untiring efforts in aiding and comforting our sick and wounded soldiers. They came as ministering angels to the suffering army at Santiago.

General John J. Pershing(in 1919).

WILLIAM McKINLEYThe President, March 4, 1897–September 14, 1901.Whatever Clara Barton says, and does, is always honest and right.William McKinley.Miss Barton, I have long wanted to thank you for what you did for my boys in Cuba.William McKinley.Mr. President, I could not have done what I did in Cuba, if you had not stood by me so nobly.Clara Barton.

A RED CROSS RED LETTER DAY

For thirteen years Clara Barton had tried to secure from Congress and the President a National Charter for the Red Cross. The bill had been before the 56th Congress, and passed. It was then before the President for his signature. He sent for Miss Barton. She went, accompanied by a few personal friends. They were at the White House, at the appointed hour. After a few moments of waiting, the President came into the room, receiving Miss Barton in a beautiful manner. He put his left arm around her, and holding her right hand in his said:

“Miss Barton, I have long wanted an opportunity to thank you for what you did for my boys in Cuba.”

She replied: “Mr. President I deeply appreciate your thanks, but I could not have done what I did in Cuba if you had not stood by me so nobly.” Then the President said:—

“Miss Barton, I am proud of this opportunity to sign this bill.” Miss Barton then introduced one by one her friends to the President. With his usual graciousness, he chatted for a few moments with his guests, then sat down at his desk where Secretary Cortelyou had placed the bill. With a plain steel pen he signed his name: “William McKinley, June ,” and then stopped, looked over his desk and asked, “Captain where is my calendar?” An old soldier looked high and low but couldn’t find the missing calendar. The calendar was standing on one corner of the broad, flat-topped desk, in another part of the room. Seizing it, one of the party tore off “June 5th,” and placed it before the President. He said “thank you, sir,” then signed “6th, 1900.” Rising from his seat, and extending his hand, he said: “Miss Barton, I will make you a present of this pen.” Graciously appreciative Miss Barton replied: “I thank you, Mr. President. I will preserve it in the archives of the Red Cross as a treasured memento of this occasion.”

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