The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-03-31

shall be surprised at the number OF sub
jects there touched upon, and the faculty
he possessed to seize upon, and then class
ify, facts into principles conducive to hui
man welfare.
He was actively engaged nearly all his
life in public affairs, having been chosen
clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly in
1886, at the age of 80, from which
time to the close of his long life he was
almost necessarily employed in the service
of the public. To advance the interests
of his constit tents, he employed his prac-
teal pen, no less than he gave his person
nj attendance. The advancement of i'm
mediate national interests was his direct
aim, and these he accomplished at the
sacrifice of time that might otherwise
have produced well-consideretl, clabo
rate and finished work. But what he
lost in this respect was amply made up
in the vigor and practical utility of his Ia
bors. Anything that concerned his coun-
trymcn,at once enlisted his deepest sympa-
thy, and Immediately, while the minds of
the people were upon it-while the iron
was hot,-Franklin struck the blow, a
wise direction was given to the aw: kened
thought, and the latent idea was embod-
led in action and brought to grand prae;i
cal results.
In the midst of all his pressing occupa-
tons, Franklin preserved his original love
for natural philosophy and all the arts
aud sciences. He was bonn to be phi
losophcr; and unconciously sought after
truth in precisely the way that Bacon
pointed out, so that Lord Brougham re
marks that had n 1t Bacon anticipated him,
Franklin would himself have promulgat d
the indlictive Philosophy. The grand
simplicity with which he discovered the
identity of lightning with electricity, and
tho immediate practical use he made of
the knowledge; the ease with which he
seemed to master the details of the science,
and the accuracy of his predictions, are
all in the true philosophical spirit. His
genirs was Immediately recognized
throughout Europe. All the learned bod
les of Europe admitted him to their ranks,
and the new system was adopted by ae-
clamation, and styled the Franklinian in
honor of its author. And so electricity
was identified with Franklin. As the in
itiator of an absolutely new branch Ct
knowledge, he is in no danger e being
surpassed. He stands at the foundation,
and the whole superstructure ms rest
upon him, no matter how far other minds
may pursue their investigations. Every
subsequent revelation of the wonders of
electricity but add to the fame of the A
1nerican philosopher; and at this day,
when there is a suspected union between
the electric element and the vital prinr.c~i.
we often wish for mind like his 10 trace
the relation. We can but family conceive
with what animation and pleasure Frank
lin would enter, were he now alive, on
series of experiments which might de-
termne whether there is really a connec-
tion between the electric principle and
life, emotion and spiritual development,
ms exhibited in organic forms. and thus set
forever at rest the vagaries and delusions
of the so called "spiritualists." I have
no doubt but be could pierce 10 the bot.
tom of this matter, if it indeed lies within
the possibility of human achievement.
The last years of Franklin's life were
serene and peaceful. He returned from
his long residence at Paris in 1856, in his
SOth year, and writes to friend, 81 am
got into my niche, after being kept out OF
1t twenty-four years by foreign appoint
ments. 1t is very good house that
| built long ago to retire into, without Re-
ing able till now to enjoy it. am again
surrounded by my friends, with fine
family of grandchildren about my knees,
an atfectionato, good daughter and son-in-
law to take care of me. And after fifty
gears public service, l have the pleasure
TO find the esteem of nv country with re-
gard to me undiminished." .-....,
Undimini he'd it certainly was, for even
Mt that advanced age, he could not be
spared from public business, and almost
TO the very year of his death he occupied
some post of trust AMI hon ,r.
To him, a. to all, death came at last,
but it found him contentedly awaiting the
summons, and on the l. 18th of April, 1870
he expired. in the s5th year of his ac,.
If now have been at all succ,s rul in
my delincations of the character of the
two men thus briefly sketchcl, we shall
have no difficulty in detecting the inhu-
ence they have excrted on Am. rican
mind anil institutions. And, first the
influence of Edcards.
During the first era Of New England
history, a stern theocracy was the out
war'l form which the thought and action
of the Puritan mind assumed. At first,
it was a legitimate aud successful one
1t was the Spontaneous production of tn,
men and the tines. 1t was reycreuced
by the people, and obeyed as matter of
choice. But as population increased, AMI
ambition, and bigotry, and the spirit Of
spiritual domination and persecution, were
aroused, strife and opposition sprang up;
the authorities had to relax Their iron rule
the theocracy was gradually abandoned;
persons outside the pale of the orthodox
church were admitted to political equality,
md democracy, radical and entire adj
ministercd the affairs of tho Old Colony.
In this case, however, as in most others,
the reform went too far. The MAX was
ovcrshot, and loose and dangerous doc
trines were everywhere gaining ground
among the people. The reaction from
the few extravagances and inconsistencies
of the Pilgrim Fathers, was drawing the
sons into the more dangerous errors OF
the Pelagians, Arminians and Socini-