Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 74, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 May 1899 — BEN FRANKLIN. [ARTICLE]

BEN FRANKLIN.

George HL Abused Him and Lost the American Colonies. Chief among these new members was Benjamin Franklin, the most famous American then living, known throughout Europe by his scientific discoveries; known in England besides as the fearless champion of the colonies; great in science and statecraft; a statesman and diplomatist; a man of letters and a popular writer, whose wit and wisdom were read in many tongues; just returned from London, and the wisest and most influential man in Congress. It is worth while to pause a moment to look at Franklin, standing forth now as a leader of revolution, for he was one of the great men of the century. He was then in his seventieth year, but vigorous and keen as ever in mind and body. He could have done more than any other one man to prevent colonial revolt He was eminently conservative and peaceloving, as well as loyal to the mother country. The ministry that would have listened to him and been guided by him, would have held America, and fastened It tighter than ever to the empire. Instead of this, official England sent her solicitor general to vilify and abuse him in the presence of the privy council and before the English people. Franklin listened in silence to the Invective then heaped upon him, and the most powerful friend to peace, union and conciliation was lost to England. Now he had come back to guide his countrymen in the dangers that beset them, and to win allies for them from beyond the seas. In the man of science, letters and philanthropy we are apt to lose sight of the bold statesman and great diplomatist. We think of that familiar face with the fire forehead and the expression of universal benevolence. But there was another aspect Look at the picture of Franklin where the fur cap is pulled down over his head. The noble brow is hidden, the pervading air of soft and gentle benevolence has faded, and a face of strength and power, of vigorous will and of an astuteness rarely equaled, looks out at us and fixes our attention. This versatile genius, "with the sternness of the Puritan mingling with the skepticism and tolerance of the eighteenth century philosopher, was not one to be lightly reviled and abused.—Senator Lodge in Scribner’s.