The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-02-09
AN GRAFTON -. 80.
ON THE LIFE AND CHARACTER or BEN
~ ~ JAMiN FRANKLIN,


81 N JAMiN FRANKLIN.
sEFonE TUE rRAnKLlNlAS SOCIETY on
WILLIAM AND May coLLgcE, JAN. II, lS40.
Br JOHN TYLER, in.
Chance having thrown in our way copy Of this
ton at the period Of is delivery and publications.
when fictitious interest attached itself TO the name
of the author, we present IL TO our readers 10 70
them an opportunity Of participating IN tho pleasure
we have ourselves derived from It's lerussl
Nj Tyler possesses the hereditary gin Of eloquence
and his style Is characterized by eearnsss, earnest
ness and force. The life OF Benjamin Fralkin is a
suhjec, emnenty capable Of iurnshing an American
with Inspirations and though often treated Of !, de-
rives grace from the manner IN which II Is now
treated. Many Of Mr. Tyier's incidental views en-
hbl, thoughiiulness ard reflection rarely found in
the proIuc ions Of young man in his minority, and
also shows less exub, rance and more polish lhso
iphl have been looked for, rendering the Oralisn
such one as would have been extremely credi,sbe
to an author Of maiurer powers. We have no doubt
it vii, be read with interest, Pleasure, and profit.
The copy we have was published at the reques, OF
the Society and, it is worthy Of remembrance, W. $
written while Mr.. Tyler was a student.
Mr.. President, and
Fsiio.o- nnensSers Of the Fianklinidn Society;
IL is ever instructive 10 dwell upon the past From
its full bosom he Statesman draws his deep lessons OF
wisdom and the Philosopher tho'e truths which be
exhibits 10 the world, and leaves as rich legacy TO
mankind. Events which ransplre in our own DAY,
are for the part presented TO Us IN the false col
III Itpsil ha in.
but when viewed far down the long vista ofages, sur
rounded by times mystic halo, they appear subl,meiy
beautiful, and stand bright beaeons TO all future
generations. The Patriot searches on among The
spir Is Of the mighty dead for examples worthy OF I'M
laton The ocmD voice Of the graveis the only voice
which stays vain in his rasl aud impe uous ca
reer.
We have assembled for the purpose OF INDUCING IN
this instructive contemplation. As band Of broth
ers Joined in the noble Of learning and phan-
thropy, come to pay our annual tribute Of respect
TO The deeds of other times, and to him who was tho
favorite disciple of liberty and the darling child oil
philosophy. Here in this place consecraed TO scr
ence, and around which memory loves to linger, we
meet to speak of Franklin-to dwell upon his virtues,
and testify 10 his acts.
We are yet young, but our school-boy hours are
vanishing rapidly away and all Of US will, shortly
stand upon The shore OF the boiserous ocean OF busy
life. Our feelings keenedged and thrilling; our
hopes lofty and unbounded, and our aspirations
would lead US 10 scan he wide world but our hab-
its are unsettled characters informed and reso-
luton untried We ae destitute Of chart and CON-
pass, those true and fixed principles which can only
guide US, safely over its trackess and almost llliml
liable cxpanse. Would you provide yourselves with
these Learn TO initiate the example OF Rankin,
for his principles lasting as the mountains.
The bographer, il but too often happens, overooks
what he considers the minor traits in the character OF
those whose lives he would portray SO it with US,
gentlemen, when meet 10 speak Of Franklin En-
chanted by those brilliant acts Of his more advanced
years which for him the admiration Of all civilized
nations forget the days Of his YOUTH and the radu
al steps which led to his almost unparalleled success
We are always disposed TO view him standing in the
midst Of the ghtning's glory. There seems to be a
disposition with all to pass over, without q
thought the humble Of the animate as well as
inanImate world. The gentle beauties OF the lowly
VALE with most of u.s. lost in the gorgeousy dyed
sunset in nights gliitering vault But 10 the child
of nature, he who is the true philosopher there is
lovelness in the tender grass, aud the newly blown
flowers, and the young and delicate plants, lar more
enticing than The spendors Of the flaming empy rean
What period of existence, forms more pleasing
study to the moralist than that Of our youth Wha
there be more interesting than the gradual bud
ding forth Of the flowers Of mind'
IL becomes me, then, gentlemen, to speak OF Frank
Inns early lifc-to begin with him when, thrown upon
the world he stood untuored boy, poor and friend
less-to view him Drawing The storms Of adversely
with youthful form erect, and thoughtful brow-tc
trace the development Of his character, and to pre-
sent him 10 you, by his silent lamp al dark midnghp'
hour, holding solitary communion with nature and ma
lures God, and acquiring those principles aud gath
ering in that knowledge which ialsed him from hi'
low condition, from his poverty and his ignorance 10
the highest and proudest seat among the elders Of
the land"
In the performance of this important portion OF
nv task, have none Of those wouder-stirrng events
which act upon the Imagination, or those romantic
incidents over which the fancy loves to luxuriste 10
offer 20 your admiration. strict application TO
his business, conduct Of spotless purity, and q
strong desire TO be useful 10 his day and generation
constitute the traits of his early life. Placed an
apprentice in a printing office, under the sway Of .
tyrannicsl master one, regret TO say, allied to him
IN blood as brother, without one word OF encour-
sgement a single hope, what consolng antci-
patton drew from the iuture-sently and assiduous-
he performed his daily svocations Still each de.
clning sun brought with it deep lesson Of expert
encc, and each successive night impressed upon his
rejecting mind solid thought and a
more lasting principle. Though young, he was 90
fully impressed with the importance OF the passing
moment, that the short time allowed him for relsxa
ton invariably devoted 10 the labor Of making
himself intimately acquainted with the chaste and
beautiful style Of Addison the severe reasoning OF
Locke, or the sublime character Of Socrates. In
this a display Of those elevated sentiment
which he received from nature, aud In the facts to
which have alluded may be found the cause Of that
energy sDO ufuintS "hich cnabled MN 70 lcsNe the
home OF bis childhood for the new and perous
scenes Of untrIed land, well that uncompro-
missing hostility which he ever afterwards eyinced TO-
wards tyranny and despotism.
In 1923, at the age OF seventeen he reached Phia-
deiphia, with but single dollar In his pocket which
constituted the whole Of his worldly possessions. -
Nor was there one among the gay crowd which
swept by him who cast upon him cheering glance
so poor, and destitute OF friends and patrons
was he Thus do those IN ahluence most
commonly pass the needy. Poverty is regarded by
them as fault, aud not misfortune They forge,
It is never dshonorablc when the effect or com.
panion Of ideness, inempercnce, sloth or folly and
that II Is often associated with all the virtues Let
those who are ashamed Of being poor In the vanite.