Clara Barton Candid ALS on "First aid" & Theodore Roosevelt, Foreshadows Eventual Resignation From Red Cross
Clara Barton
New York, NY, June 6, 1903
Clara Barton Candid ALS on "First aid" & Theodore Roosevelt, Foreshadows Eventual Resignation From Red Cross
ALS
A lengthy, content rich autograph letter from American nurse Clara Barton (1821-1912) in her last year as president of the Red Cross. 4pp of a bifolium, measures 4.75" x 7.75", New York, NY, June 6, 1903. Signed in full as "Clara Barton" in the lower right of interior leaf, writing to an unknown but evidently close confidante. Within, Barton candidly references the ongoing tension between herself and President Theodore Roosevelt ("the popular head of the nation"), in addition to the frustration she felt over the public's opinion of it ("...the people do not listen to reason nor argument, nor truth"). She goes on to foreshadow the establishment of the National First Aid Association, which Barton founded after resigning from the Red Cross. Expected mailing folds present, with light toning and negligible surface marks throughout. Else, near fine.
In full:
"Yes I know dearest that 'nothing can shake your love and trust in me' and if only a few, ay one, holds firm it is yet something to live for. No one knows that plans are being made to overthrow, and with the popular head of the nation to bolster them up, what chance of standing? -
Nothing could be said or done to counteract such efforts, with such support, for the people do not listen to reason nor argument, nor truth; the entire country is a mad rush, and the only way to escape is to get out of its track.
We are going on in the establishment of our work. 'First aid' - commencing to form classes and take membership fees, in the effort to enlarge the body and make it self supporting and above 'charitable help' - you know I have always despized [sic] beggary and I will not make one more effort to pull my life work out of that rut, and teach it to provide not only for itself but the means with which it seeks to help others.
I wish I could pull you here, both - for a little and see what I cannot explain to you - not that I expect ever to see the results that should come from the efforts now being installed, but that some one will, I do expect -
I will try to content myself for it all, and be a little at rest, - not for long, - but it may be little, to do some other things I want and need to do-
I am looking for no triumph, no escape from the toils I am in, no justification from the people, they will always be hard and bitter as now - only growing more so as the misconception gets deeper rooted but I am prepared for this and seek only to keep in turn with my own conscience and self respect. I shall learn in time to disregard the opinions of the world and go on my own silent way.
Dr. wants to send his love. He, with me turns in memory to the dear old field of rest in the high mountains - you will think of us when you are there, and remember me as I was then, less strong in body than now - but in better heart not more loving for you, for that could not be."
Then aged 82 at the time this letter was written, Clara Barton was still working as the sole president of the American Red Cross. Inside its ranks, however, her management style and use of resources were highly criticized. This condemnation, both internally and from the public, led Theodore Roosevelt to appoint a congressional committee to investigate her management. Interestingly, just six years earlier in June 1898, Barton famously met the then-Colonel to provide supplies for his wounded Rough Riders after deployment in Cuba. While the results of the present investigation remained fruitless, she nevertheless resigned from the organization on May 14, 1904.
This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.
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Clara Barton
New York, NY, June 6, 1903
Clara Barton Candid ALS on "First aid" & Theodore Roosevelt, Foreshadows Eventual Resignation From Red Cross
ALS
A lengthy, content rich autograph letter from American nurse Clara Barton (1821-1912) in her last year as president of the Red Cross. 4pp of a bifolium, measures 4.75" x 7.75", New York, NY, June 6, 1903. Signed in full as "Clara Barton" in the lower right of interior leaf, writing to an unknown but evidently close confidante. Within, Barton candidly references the ongoing tension between herself and President Theodore Roosevelt ("the popular head of the nation"), in addition to the frustration she felt over the public's opinion of it ("...the people do not listen to reason nor argument, nor truth"). She goes on to foreshadow the establishment of the National First Aid Association, which Barton founded after resigning from the Red Cross. Expected mailing folds present, with light toning and negligible surface marks throughout. Else, near fine.
In full:
"Yes I know dearest that 'nothing can shake your love and trust in me' and if only a few, ay one, holds firm it is yet something to live for. No one knows that plans are being made to overthrow, and with the popular head of the nation to bolster them up, what chance of standing? -
Nothing could be said or done to counteract such efforts, with such support, for the people do not listen to reason nor argument, nor truth; the entire country is a mad rush, and the only way to escape is to get out of its track.
We are going on in the establishment of our work. 'First aid' - commencing to form classes and take membership fees, in the effort to enlarge the body and make it self supporting and above 'charitable help' - you know I have always despized [sic] beggary and I will not make one more effort to pull my life work out of that rut, and teach it to provide not only for itself but the means with which it seeks to help others.
I wish I could pull you here, both - for a little and see what I cannot explain to you - not that I expect ever to see the results that should come from the efforts now being installed, but that some one will, I do expect -
I will try to content myself for it all, and be a little at rest, - not for long, - but it may be little, to do some other things I want and need to do-
I am looking for no triumph, no escape from the toils I am in, no justification from the people, they will always be hard and bitter as now - only growing more so as the misconception gets deeper rooted but I am prepared for this and seek only to keep in turn with my own conscience and self respect. I shall learn in time to disregard the opinions of the world and go on my own silent way.
Dr. wants to send his love. He, with me turns in memory to the dear old field of rest in the high mountains - you will think of us when you are there, and remember me as I was then, less strong in body than now - but in better heart not more loving for you, for that could not be."
Then aged 82 at the time this letter was written, Clara Barton was still working as the sole president of the American Red Cross. Inside its ranks, however, her management style and use of resources were highly criticized. This condemnation, both internally and from the public, led Theodore Roosevelt to appoint a congressional committee to investigate her management. Interestingly, just six years earlier in June 1898, Barton famously met the then-Colonel to provide supplies for his wounded Rough Riders after deployment in Cuba. While the results of the present investigation remained fruitless, she nevertheless resigned from the organization on May 14, 1904.
This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.
WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
