Ipswich High School - Tiger Yearbook (Ipswich, MA)

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cannot overemphasize the importance of this cooperation and loyalty among the American people, for in order for the nation to survive, the ideals of de- mocracy must be preserved. We have a solemn duty to live up to the ideals which have made the past history of this nation so glorious. May nothing happen through our timidity or un- worthiness to mar its future. THE AMERICAN RED CROSS By Charlotte Lindgren I N all parts of the world today, in America and war torn Europe can be seen that symbol of mercy, the red cross. During times of peace and times of war the Red Cross continues its work. Now when so many countries are engaged in warfare and the safety of so many others is menaced, the Red Cross is be- coming of even greater importance as it always becomes whenever there is a lo- cal or national crisis. The Red Cross has been in existence only a little over sixty years, but in that space of time it has served millions of lives. Whether the danger lies in floods, fire, or war, the Red Cross is always ready to serve. The idea of the Red Cross was first conceived by Henri Dunant, a young Swiss, who was travelling in Italy dur- ing the battle of Solferino. The battle had raged furiously until finally the French army forced the Austrians to retreat. After the battle thousands of men were dying for lack of proper nurs- ing. Dunant organized a group of peasant women to care for the wound- ed, and although they hesitated to care for their enemies, Dunant insisted that the wounded of both sides be treated equally. He did a magnificent piece of work at Solferino, but he did not stop there. After leaving Italy he wrote a book “The Souvenir of Solferino”, which was translated into several langu- ages. In it he stated his plan of having a neutral band of people ready to serve the wounded of all nations. In 1863 sixteen countries met at an international conference in Geneva, Switzerland, to formulate a plan. They decided to honor Switzerland by adopting (for their symbol) the Swiss flag with its colors reversed. Since that time there has been but one objection to using the symbol of the red cross. Mohammedan Turkey, because of the religious signi- ficance of the cross refused to use it. The organization goes under the sign and by the name of “The Red Crescent” in Turkey, Egypt, and part of Russia. Since America was busily engaged in the Civil War at the time of the forma- tion of the Red Cross, she refused to meddle in what she considered foreign affairs. Clara Barton had received recog- nition for her nursing during the Civil War, and at the outbreak of the Franco- Prussian War she was asked if she would aid the Red Cross. After the war she tried to convince the United States that it should join such a worthy organization. Finally in 1882 America 26

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representatives to express our views and uphold our rights in the legislatures. Yet despite the inestimable value of our vote, many Americans neglect their duty and fail to vote at the elections. With- out the support of the people, how can a democratic government function prop- erly? Our working conditions are the best, and our standard of living the highest of any country in the world. The eight hour day with time and a half for over- time is enjoyed almost universally. We enjoy our sports and other recreations in playgrounds and field owned and operated by the community. The home life of the American is the most free and happy to be found anywhere in the world. A varied cli- mate and a high standard of living ren- der it the healthiest possible. Our free educational system provides for the edu- cation of the youth of the nation in the principles of democracy and in the part they must play in the future wel- fare of the country and its people. Yet there is always a high price to be paid for freedom, for it is the most valuable of all commodities. The up- keep of the government necessitates the expenditures of money which must be gained by taxation. Money must be raised to pay for peace time pursuits, for new means of communication, for roads, tunnels, and shipyards. The only satisfactory method of raising the mon- ey is through taxation. Through taxa- tion, the government is enabled to make use of more of our national resources, thus decreasing our dependency upon outside sources for raw materials. At present, taxation, though heavy, is des- tined to become much heavier because we as a nation are menaced by a foreign power whose ideas conflict dangerously with our own. Our duty in this respect is to pay as cheerfully as possible, real- izing that the privileges we enjoy can- not be estimated in terms of money. We doubt if the British are doing much grumbling these days at their high tax rate. No price is too high for them if their liberties are preserved. The American citizen owes it to his government also to report regularly at the polls to vote. In order for more perfect understanding between the gov- ernment and the people, each citizen must express his views. To lose our rights through defeat in war would be deplorable; but to lose them through indolence or indifference would be in- excusable. The proper function of de- mocracy, as we have said, requires that every citizen exercise his privilege to vote and to participate in his govern- ment. The Amercan citizen, above all, how- ever, owes loyalty and allegiance to his country, for America has nourished him and America has protected him. In this time of upheaval and conflict the cooperation of the American citizen is needed to the fullest possible extent be- cause the nation as a whole is united in a great national defense effort. We 25

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signed the treaty, and the American Red Cross was formed with Clara Bar- ton at its head. Although the Red Cross had been started for the purpose of aiding wound- ed soldiers at the battle front, gradually it widened its scope. It aided the vic- tims of the Michigan forest fires. It worked during the flood seasons with the people living in the valleys of the Ohio and the Mississippi. Perhaps its greatest contribution to the cause of humanity was in 1906 at the time of the great San Francisco earthquake and fire. A year before the San Francisco dis- aster Theodore Roosevelt had approved a charter that established the Red Cross as the American National Red Cross and placed it under government super- vision. The president of the United States is now always the president of the Red Cross. The United States, however, has never yet passed any laws regulating Red Cross work. The real test of the strength of the Red Cross came during the world war. The Red Cross remained absolutely neutral, and wounded soldiers of all nations were cared for alike. All the nations promised to recognize the red cross as a symbol of mercy, and am- bulances carrying this sign could not be fired upon. Although there were numerous reports circulated during the war that the sign was deliberately fired upon and that, in some cases, the flag was being used as a screen by enemies with hostile intentions, they were never proved and are decidedly open to doubt. The Red Cross proved its worth. Not only did it send thousands of nurses, but it also established hospitals and ambulance companies. Women at home, under Red Cross supervision, made rolls of bandages. Red Cross canteen women followed the soldiers to the front. Food and clothes were sent to seven- ty-two prison camps in enemy terri- tory. After the war the Red Cross cared for the wounded veterans and their families. In speaking of the Red Cross, we should not leave out the Junior Red Cross which President Wilson organ- ized in 1917. This organization has now spread all over the world. These junior societies learn how to live health- ily and how to accept civic responsibil- ity. I need not tell any more of the his- tory of the Red Cross. Its heroic deeds are well known by everyone. We know that in time of flood, fire, drought, or storm, the Red Cross is always ready to serve. It has on its roll the names of many efficient social workers who will help in time of need, and thousands of well-trained nurses ready to volunteer their services. Its local societies are kept busy making surgical dressings, hospital supplies, and knitted garments. The Red Cross is not, as many people believe, international. Each of its fifty national organizations is in- dependent although they meet together 21