LXXXII
In rea bill before Congress (1902) proposing an annuity of $5,000 for Clara Barton during life, in an official letter to Congress, she protested as follows: “Any grant of Government moneys, either in aid of this body (Red Cross) direct, or of myself as its President, would be subversive of its principles and methods, and not to be desired.”The Author.
If those now (1904) at variance with me on Red Cross matters will meet me in the same spirit by which I am animated, we cannot fail to adjust all difficulties to our mutual satisfaction, and to the advantage of the cause all should have at heart.Clara Barton.
Unless one is actually going down hill with a load, it is easier to stop than to go on.Clara Barton.
I have nothing to gain from the Red Cross, and never have had.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
In Red Cross work I have no ambitions to serve, and certainly no purposes.Clara Barton.
I am glad that after thirty years our country has been awakened to the thought that it could confer an honor on the Red Cross; and I wish you could know how entirely indifferent I am to thepersonal“honors” conferred.Clara Barton.
No private individual in the world’s history has ever before been able to command through a long term of years, and a continuous succession of almost a score of great public disasters, the unlimitedconfidence of the whole people, so that the response to each successive call has been instant and in generous amount.
Contributions in money and supplies have been received for the relief of the sufferers by these national calamities of more than $1,900,000.
The Officers and Members of the American National Red Cross (in 1903)—in a Memorial to Congress—From House Document No. 552, Volume 49, 58th Congress.
Miss Mabel T. Boardman, after the retirement of Clara Barton, became Chairman of the Executive Committee of the American Red Cross Society. In the following excerpts from letters in 1903, she certifies to theintegrity, good name and fame, of Clara Barton, this being at the time the “MOTHER OF THE RED CROSS” was offered the Honorary Presidency for life, with an annuity of $2,500:
“The character of Miss Barton nobody has assailed.
“No such assault was made, nor intended, upon Miss Barton’s character.
“No loss of confidence in Miss Barton’s personal integrity is meant.
“A proposition of —— which I should not for a moment have thought of assenting to, if I had believed Miss Barton wanting in integrity.
“Believe me, there is no desire for one moment to humiliate Miss Barton nor to withdraw her from any honor due her for past services in the interest of humanity. The very fact of our trying to get up a fund for Miss Barton to place her in an honorable position—issufficient evidence that there was no purpose to attack Miss Barton personally.
“I feel that by accepting the position of Honorary President for life (with an annuity given as a token of appreciation of her past services) Miss Barton will be placed in a most dignified and honorable position.
“Mr. Foster, Mr. Glover, Mr. Chas. Bell, Mr. Walsh and my Father will act as guarantors of the annuity for the first year.
“As to the annuity;—five or six responsible gentlemen, such as Messrs. Bell, Glover, and others, would sign a letter guaranteeing to Miss Barton, for the first year, an annuity of $2,500, and pledging themselves to have set on foot a movement to raise a Red Cross fund, within a year, out of which should be paid to Miss Barton a similar annuity during life.
“People are continually urging that a complete investigation be made of Red Cross expenditures and methods, beginning with the Johnstown disaster, the Armenia disaster, Russian famine, Sea Islands, etc.; but we do not want to have to do this, and will not, if Miss Barton in the true interest of the Red Cross, and in the true interest of her own name and fame, will consent to take the distinguished position of Honorary President.” (The foregoing are excerpts from a letter by Miss Mabel T. Boardman under date of February 20th, 1903, and found in Document 552, House Documents, Volume 49,—58th Congress.)
Under date of February 18, 1903, Honorable John W. Foster, of the Red Cross Society, the ex-Secretary of State, in a letter says: “We have canvassed the matter of a proper person to succeed Miss Barton as President (she accepting the place of Honorary President,)and the best fitted person for the position seems to be Admiral Van Reypen.... It is presumed he would be acceptable to Miss Barton. As to the annuity: five or six responsible gentlemen—will sign a letter guaranteeing to Miss Barton for the first year an annuity of $2,500 and pledging themselves to have set on foot a movement to raise a Red Cross fund, within a year, out of which should be paid to Miss Barton a similar annuity during life.” (From House Document No. 552, Volume 49, 58th Congress.)
The official records show that the highest representative of a former Administration, the minority and majority in the so called “controversy” unanimously commended the name of Clara Barton; and in writing the minority, through Miss Mabel T. Boardman, unanimously solicited Clara Barton to become, and to remain for life, Honorary President of the Red Cross.
Note.—For reasons which seemed good to Clara Barton and her friends the foregoing named annuity andhonorwere declined.The Author.