THE SCIENTIST. 
183 
ness life and to that class of people 
who are obliged to work for a living. 
SiK'h is his fame in this respect that 
his maxims are known by nearly 
every child, and practiced by nearly 
every enterprising adult. 
Being skilled in the art of print- 
ing, he established a newspaper in 
Boston, and the first magazine of 
the country. The daily newspaper 
is perhaps the most influential agency 
now in existence in forming public 
sentiment. Mr. Franklin's library 
in Philadelphia is known as the 
'^Mother Library of North America" 
and the original library of Philadel- 
phia. 
Mr. Franklin may be called a 
philanthropist. He is quoted as 
saying that he believed the greatest 
service rendered to God was the ser- 
vice rendered to man. In every 
question of public or private interest 
he is always found on the side of 
humanity. He has rightly been 
called the "working man's friend." 
He certainly knew how to sympa- 
thize with the mechanic and the 
laborer, and never rose so high in 
literary or scientific life that he for- 
got tlie days spent in hard toil and 
servitude. Yes, even more, I fancy 
those men who Avere working so 
diligently in shops and stores felt 
an inspiration as they looked on the 
benignant countenance of Franklin, 
so void of conceit, so full of sympa- 
thy — of whom even the wise sought 
counsel — to know that he had risen 
from the ranks where they now 
StOOil. 
Whoever dishonors America's far- 
mers or mechanics, dishonors the 
greatest men America has ever liad. 
As a politician he was one of the 
shining lights of his time. The 
favorite counselor of most of grave 
difiiculties of that period of ^Vmeri- 
can history. 
It is said that Washington and 
Franklin were two great instruments 
of the revolution. Washington by 
destroying enemies. Franklin by 
making friends. 
Mr. Franklin acted an important 
part in four very important political 
events. He was the principal man 
in having the stamp act repealed; 
was embassador to France and made 
negotiations with that country to 
aid America in the revolution; took 
part in signing the Declaration of 
Independence and helped frame the 
American Constitution. 
Infacthis political lifcAvascrowned 
and crowded with good deeds, noble 
impulses and effective resolutions, 
and he was a great factor in Ameri- 
ca's early life and helped to train 
the young tree which is now the 
pride of nations. 
If we appreciate our freedom as 
American citizens, if Ave glory in 
our union, if we honor the stars and 
stripes, if we love our country, if we 
can say with the poet — 
"My native country thee, 
Land of the noble tree, 
Thy name I love. 
T love thy rocks an<l rills. 
Thy woods and templed hills. 
My heart with rapture thi'llJs, 
Like that above," 
then we must not forget that Ave 
owe a large share ot" our national 
