The Irish standard., 1902-04-19

When the American House Of Repre-
sentatives in Washington rendered its
official hospitality to Mr.. Parnell, in
the first week of February, 1880, it was
not altogether creating precedent in
courtesy, SO far as Ireland was con-
cerned. In fact, it was simply paying
back previous act of graciousness
which the Irish House of Commons
had extended to distinguished Amer
lean citizen just one hundred years be-
fore, and complying with the hope ex-
pressed by that distinguished citizen
at the time. Writing from Dublin on
the Both Of January, 1772, to his son
William, Benjamin Franklin, having
described the courteous fashion in
which Ireland's representatives in Col
lege Green had behaved toward him in
admitting him to the floor of their
house, added: II hope our assemblies
will not fall short of them in this po-
likeness if any Irish member should
happen to be in our country" AS was
shown by Mr.. Parnell's experience, the
American legislature, when the oppor-
tunity arose, did not fall short in the
politeness Of which Franklin spoke,
writes Daniel Crilly in the Dublin In
dependent.
1t would not be far amiss, 1 think,
to say that of all American citizens
who have landed on Irish soil, he
stands out as the most conspicuous
figure by reason of his high per-
sonal character, his rare and wide-em-
bracing mental endowments, and the
monumental services which he render
ed to his nation. Certainly no man,
as an outsider, ever came to close quar-
ters with the Irish problem to diagnose
it and report upon it, with a mind bet
ter suited to the purpose than this
American statesman, who had begun
life as a printers apprentice. That
mind was cast naturally in an exact
and scientific mold, but all it's original
character had been strengthened and
sharpened by years of diplomatic con-
1ict in the affairs of his country, with
the ruling caste in London, whose in
science and stupidity were eventually
to drive the American colonies into
successful revolt.
When Franklin landed in Dublin,
on the 5th Of September, 1771, from
the Hillsborough packet, which had
carried him over from Holyhead, he
was IS years Of age, but even then
there still lay before him some of the
most momentous events of his life.
Altogether Franklin remained in Ire
land for about seven weeks, and dur
ing that time he could certainly not
complain that his daily life lacked va
riety. OF course, with his character
and achievements every public man
then moving in the Irish metropolis
was perfectly familiar, while he, on his
side, was quite aware Of the political
conditions which existed in and around
the Irish parliament. He had gone to
Ireland mainly for the purpose of a
holiday, but it would have been en-.
tirely foreign to his lifelong habits If
he had allowed his shrewd and active
faculties to slumber idly on that ac-
count. He had taken accurate note Of
the rising power of the Patriot Party
in Irish politics, and he was not slow
to seek an advantage for his own coun-
try at this moment In letter to his
son he observes: cat Dublin we saw
and were entertained by both parties,
the courtiers and the patriots. The
latter treated me with particular re-
spect." In another letter he says: 'In
Ireland among the patriots 1 dined
with DR.. Lucas. They are all friends
Of America, in which said every
thing could to confirm them" In a
third letter, written to Mr.. Thos. Cush-
ing, he reverts once more to this point.
Before leaving Ireland" he remarks,
Il must mention that, being desirous
Of seeing the principal patriots there,
I stayed till the opening of their parlia-
ment. I found them disposed to be
friends of America, in which I endeav-