70 Eliot: Franklin 



on civilized mankind. Nevertheless, it omits all con- 

 sideration of the prime motive power v^^hich must impel 

 to right conduct, as fire supplies the power which actuates 

 the engine. That motive power is pure, unselfish love, — 

 love to God and love to man. " Thou shalt love the 

 Lord thy God with all thy heart . . . and thy neighbor 

 as thyself." 



Franklin never seems to have perceived that the su- 

 preme tests of civilization are the tender and honorable 

 treatment of women as equals, and the sanctity of home 

 life. There was one primary virtue on his list which 

 he did not always practice. His failure in this respect 

 diminished his influence for good among his contempor- 

 aries, and must always qualify the admiration with which 

 mankind will regard him as a moral philosopher and 

 an exhorter to a good life. His sagacity, intellectual 

 force, versatility, originality, firmness, fortunate period 

 of service, and longevity combined to make him a great 

 leader of his people. In American public affairs the 

 generation of wise leaders next to his own felt for him 

 high admiration and respect; and the strong Republic 

 whose birth and youthful growth he witnessed will carry 

 down his fame as political philosopher, patriot, and 

 apostle of liberty through long generations. 



