The Monitor-register. [volume] (Woodstown, Salem Co., N.J.) 1892-1972, 1897-09-03
What Ben Franklin Did.

nearer the hearts of the people OF this
hour than Benjamin Franklin, with the
single notable exception of Gen. George
Washington, of course. And it must De
acknowledged that no one of all the
fathers of the nation, not Alexander
Hamilton, Thomas j fferson or any one
of them, has done so much to deserve
we'll of his countrymen as this Yankee
printer who moved to Philadelphia. 1t
may be admitted that the people as a
whole are familiar with the salient points
of his life; but how few there are who
know to-day that in the city OF Boston
those who have most distinguished them
selves in the public schools will receive
this year, as they have every year since
1893, medal provided for them by the
munifi ,ence of this good old patriot and
citiz IN.
Apart from this encouragement OF
youth, which was characteristic oil
Franklin, he has done other things for
his native land which are worth recount
ing. Ali of US who are at all acquainted
with the history of the Revolution recall
his services to the continental cause
during his heightened sojourn in France.
We know, too, that he invented the
lightning rod. There, it is to be feared,
most of US must stop. But not so Curtis
Guild, Boston author of reputation and
merit, who has recently published
list of things which grace the life
of his distinguished townsman. They
are carefully prepared and are the result
of considerable research. The list fol-
lows:
Berja amin Franklin founded the Phila-
delpha library, the leader in the field,
and 10 be followed by hundreds of SINH
lar institutions.
He edited the best newspaper in the
colonies aud gave start to the press in
America.
He exsmplitied the value of adVertis'
ing in modern business.
His Poor Richard" maxims we're wit
and wisdom that brought home valuable
truths to readers such as they could
understand and make practical service.
He established the post Office system in
America.
1t was he who caused Philadelphia to
be paved, lighted and kept clean.
He invented, when fuel became scarce,
the Flank lin owe, which economical 1t,
and made free gift of his invention to
the public, besides sugges ing various
other heating inventions later on, in
which this country leads all others.
He was the remover of the once uni.
versal nuisance-smoky ohimDeys.
He was the first effective promulgator
of the gospel of ventilation.
He made important electrical discover
les and as it is said, "robbed thunder of
its terrors aud lightning of its power to
destroy"
He was instrums ntal in founding the
first high school in Pennsylvania; and
note this important and wise protest-Ae
protested until his death against using
the funds of that Institution in teaching
youth the languages of Greece and Rome,
when G eImap, Spanish and French were
80 much more IT qnired in regular com
mercial transactions.
He organized the American Philoso-
phicsl society, the first organi cation of
the friends of science in this country.
His aid was valuable in founding the
Pennsy lvania hospital.
He led that state in it's struggle of
thirty years against the tyre my of the
| Penns.
When the Indians were carrying on
bloody marauding expeditions within
eighty miles of Philadelphia he com
msnded and led the troops of the city
that were sent against them.
He was the author of tho first scheme
for until g the colonies, his plan contain
ing many features that bind the states in
the Union to-day.
More than any other man he was in
strumental in causing the repeal of the
sta mp act and more than any other man
he educated the colonies up to indie
pendenof.
He discovered the temperature of the
Gulf Stream, and that northeast storms
Gin the Atlantic region> begin in the
southwest.
| 1t was he who directed attention to the
advantage of building ships with w.tsr-
tight compartments, getting the idea
from the Chinese.
In Paris he saved the alliance (oetween
France and the colonies) from being
destroyed repeatedly, and brought the
negotiations fJr peace to successful
close.
He labored for the abolition Of slavery
toward the end of his life, and aided those
who had been emancipated.
In short, he proved the strength and
truth of his assertion that it is incredible
the amount of good that may be done 10
country by a single man who will make
business of it and not suffer nself to
be diverted from that purpose