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Were all the crowns and laurels of earth won by the kings of earth within my reach on one hand, and on the other there rested the One Never Dying Jewel—made brilliant and lustrous by Clara Barton’s good deeds—I would count myself most blessed of men to—in reverence—touch the latter rather than become the owner of all the others.T. V. Powderly.
Clara Barton’s name was mingled with the orations of statesmen, the elegance of the pulpit, the command of royalty, the commands of generals—engraved in the halls of fame, in books of story for children and adults, and engraved on jewels of costly make and rare art. Bangor (Me.)Commercial.
What have kingsThe privates have not, too, save ceremony?Shakespeare.
What have kingsThe privates have not, too, save ceremony?Shakespeare.
What have kingsThe privates have not, too, save ceremony?Shakespeare.
What have kings
The privates have not, too, save ceremony?
Shakespeare.
A crownGolden in show is but a wreath of thorns.Milton.
A crownGolden in show is but a wreath of thorns.Milton.
A crownGolden in show is but a wreath of thorns.Milton.
A crown
Golden in show is but a wreath of thorns.Milton.
The crowned heads of Europe were quick to perceive the benign uses of Red Cross Associations, and bestowed upon the Central Committees of their countries money, credit and personal approbation.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Secretary of State Frelinghuysen, insisting that illness was not a good excuse, and that Clara Bartonmustrepresent the United States at the International Conference at Geneva, in 1884, said: “All the country knows what you have done and is more than satisfied. Regarding your illness—you have had too much fresh water, Miss Barton—I recommend salt and shall appoint you.”
The Author.
The Author.
The Author.
The Author.
I saw Paris when the Commune fell; the Army of Versailles shot down its victims on the streets by the ghastly glare of blazing palaces.Clara Barton.
In 1872, at the time of the Reign of Terror there, Clara Barton walked into the city of Paris. When the people saw her entering the stricken city on her errand of mercy, they cried out: “God, it is an angel!”Percy H. Epler, Author.
As Clara Barton and her faithful attendant, Antoinette Margot, a fair haired Swiss maiden, were on their way in Europe to the front they heard “Turn back, turn back; turn back; the Prussians are coming.” “Yes,” said Miss Barton, “that is why we are going, we are on our way to care for the wounded of the battle.” And the people cried out: “Dieu vous benisse!”Percy H. Epler.
For services among the Armenians, Turks and Kurds, Sultan Abdul-Hamid of Turkey decorated Clara Barton with the order of Shefacat and diploma for charity, and referred to her as “A Missionary of Humanity.”W. H. Sears.
Miss Barton was President of the Red Cross at the time of the Russian famine. The total contribution from America was estimated at $800,000.
In 1902 Clara Barton, and party, was invited to Moscow, Russia, where she had a royal reception lasting three days.
Referring to her relief work in Russia, to Clara Barton the mayor of St. Petersburg said: “The Russian people know how to be appreciative.”The Author.
The Czar of Russia personally decorated me (1902) with the highest honor conferred on anyone not of royal blood. I was entertained in the royal palaces and the imperial railway trains were placed at my disposal.Clara Barton.
In 1902 the delegates were received by the Czar, and as such they passed in review. Everyone bent over and kissed his hand. When it was Miss Barton’s turn, she attempted to bend over to kiss his hand, but he pulled his hand away and said: “Oh! no,Miss Barton, not you,” and shook her hand, instead.B. F. Tillinghast, Delegate to Quinquennial Conference of the International Red Cross Society, in 1902.
To honor me, the likes o’ me, not so! Poor little me who has not seen the present ruler (1909) of her own country.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
Clara Barton.
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 herBon VoyageandDieu Vous Benisse!