New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-15
FRANKLIN.
A GREAT EXAMPLE OF sELF-sACRIFIoING
PATRIOTISM

frankly declares: Mr.. Parton has gwen US such
an admirable biography, so exhaustive anu 90 ~
marlxably happy in setting the real man Ni'i''iS
heforc tho reader that feel that must give sonle
thing between reason and an apology lor inc
existence of this volume The fact is Simply this :
without life of Franklin this series would nave
apneared as absurdly imperfect as library oil
English fiction with Scott or Ihackeray apseho
from the shelves 1t was, in short case OF
necessity. and though the arbitrary limitations OF
snace compelled the biographer to arrange his mate
rial on the most precise and economical hhes' VIC
are bound to say that, considering the clrcum-
stances he has succeeded beyond reasonable eN-
notation. Between the covers OF so small vol
ume if was impossble 10 bring the wealth oil de-
tail which enabled Mr.. Parton to make his picture
If Franklin and his times minute and realistic.
The present conditions eXacted broad outlines,
swift treatment of complex subjects general
ization rather than circumstantiaI chronicle, IN
effect. This has been accomplished, however, with
a Judgment n discrimination and an eye Tor essen
tials which Justify high praise, and the general
result is sketch which really impresses the person
ality of the subject very strongly upon the reader
Mr. Morse has also succeeded in bringing into
strong relief certain phases Of the philosophers
public life which have been, from unquestonably
worthy motives. somewhat too lightly touched
upon by earlier biographers. We refer especially
IN the relations be tween Franklin and the Congress
during his arduous tenure Of the French Mission.
The behavior Of the Congress during the war OF
Indcpendcnce must always be one OF the least
satisfactory subjects of study to Americans.
Whether as regards the maintenance OF the army
i'm the field. or the conduct OF that European
dinlomacv upon the success Of which the whole
contest dependcd so largely, there is only too
CONSPICUOUS want of energy, public spirit,
capacitv and moral scnSbity. Franklin and
Washington were equally sufferers from these
faults. and both of them were compelled re-
peatedly 10 take responsibilities which ala not
rightfully belong to them, and TO perform tasks
which were altogether outside the sphere OF thelr
legitimate duties. The position OF Franklin NJ the
Court of France was soon rendered so Illuminating
and difficult that the mere fact OF his staying
there is most significant proof OF the strehgth OF
his patriotism and the real greatness oil MS NATURE
lie has been accused. and with some grounds, of
unbusinesSlike methods during this period; but
had he pursued the business aptitude and the
precse habits Of John Adams it seems quite posi-
ble that his experience of Congressional modes of
transactng business would have driven MN OUT
NJ his mind His philosophical equanimity and
indifference TO details may have been the means
Of preserving his mental vigor under trials GER
tainIv severe enough to have upset any ordinary
intellect.
For Congress acted all this time as no sane OF
responsible legislature or governing body ever
acted before. Having dispatched It's agents to
Europe to borrow money without credit or col
lateral security, it began to draw bills upon them
while they were still at sea, and continued to do
,-i+b waiting hear whether
they had arrived safely or been captured on the
way. whether they had been cordially or coldly
received by the Governments to which they were
accredited. whether their solicitations had been
successful or the reverse. There IS something
comical and of the nature OF opera bouife about
the methods of the Congress, but assuredly poor
Franklin could not see the humorous side of the
situation for he, being the only American IN
Europe who possessed q reputation, and the only
one in France either liked conhded in by the
Government, it followed that upon his shoulders
the whole weight of European fnancierng fell,
and that he was expected by every other American
agent to come TO the rescue when their own efforts
TO raise money proved futile. OF course The self
interest Of France in manner compelled her to
keep up the output Of money in aid OF the re' oed
British colonies when once that policy OF IN
direct assistance hal been adopted; and, there
fore Franklin had the one point of access to
available funds in his hands. But Congress was
like the daughter of the horse-lcech, crying ulve
Give. without ceasing: and unfortunately Tor IFS
good name it never hcstated to break Its most
solemn pledges. never slranl from mendicity
of the most abiect type, never spared Its loyal
and devoted agent one pana of shame when It's
necessities urged 1t TO make fresh ana even OUT
rageous demands.
0inPhC6 floun oh soma
times he protested and unfortunately for himself
he actually stimulated the reckless and dishonest
course of Congress by so cXerting his great abil
ties that the most unexpected and eXorbitant dc
mands were nearly always met. No banking OF
mercantile house was ever subjected to such risks
as this old man had TO confront, for Congress never
took the trouble to warn him IN advance when OF
to what amount it was going to draw upon him
and the bills fell in by shoals, every day and al
day and for amounts aggrcgaing very large
sums That Franklin should have succeeded
even by the most desperate and persistent begging
in keppng the credit Of the United States out o
The gutter is one Of the most remarkable fcatS in
history That Congress is entitled TO no com
mcndation for this is equally clear. But the mos
discussing feature of the whole case is the baSt
and mean ingratitude of that body 10 the man who
after Washington, had done most for the country
Even at this day it is impossible TO recall the cir
cunstances without Indignation The truth j
that Congress from first to last was rather a hin
drance than "A help to independence, and that it,
standards of capacity, Of morals, Of sentiment, wcr
discrcdltably low. II never showed the least ten
derncsS Of conscience in regard to the keeping O
its engagements. Ii was ever ready to adopt dis
honorable financial methods, to cheat its creditors
TO deceive its agents, to humbug it's allies, 70 g
more its promises, TO repudlaie the most vital SET
vices. 10 abandon the army 20 famine and cold
TO throw upon Franklin, with cowardly prompt
tude, the whole burden of sustaining that Nh
tional credit which It's own fagitious practice
were every day undermining.
/ No other man living could have done wha
Franklin did for the United States and In
| representatives Of the latter would not even pa