The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-21
TWO zsPatsEnrArryE srArEs-

HEN,
 Something mors than a century and q quarter ago the court circles of Paris. the saysst and most friyoIeus city in the civilized world, were astonishsd by the appearance of an ols,cial who ran con Etrary to all the traditions. habits and re- auirements Of the French court. The German historian. schlosser. writes that This appearance was an event of great importance to the whole of Europe, Ills dress, the simplicity of his external ap- pearance. the friendly meekness of the old man. and the apparent humility of the Quaker, procured for Freedom mass or yotartes smens the court circles"
 This old man, fer he had already lived three score and ten years. vas Benjamin Franklin, one of the Commissioners ap- pointed by the Cnnsfess of the new Re public to visit the gay court of Louie XVI and endeavor to secure the aid ana assistance Of the French people in the Homenteus struggle for independence which had just begun. That he created a sensation ts not to bs wondered at Dreis- cd h, ! suit of honne-snads wooien. with coarse home-knit wtollen stockings and broad -brimmed Quaker hat, he presented such a contrast to xhe silk. satin ana broadcloth, the tinsei. geid lace and jew els of the titled men and women cf rafis' that we are not %urprised at the wonder and curiosity he caused,
 Hut if the people thought this ssurdT old man, with his massive frame, ms hsnevolsnt cnuntenance. his long whlts hair and his coarse dress. was simple ton. they were badly deceived. To these of the court who were best informed. ne was not altogether an unkHovn man. for his fame as scientist and 2 philosopher was alreaAy known to the world. ana N was soen learned that the air of meekness and simplicity surrounding him was part of the nature of one of the most astute and far-seeing statesmen who had ever visited the court of France He was there to enlist the sympathy of the Gov ernment and people for the Republic which had just begun it's light for life and for place among the nations of the earth. He knew what vas wanted and what was expected of him, and he went at it in the manner which characterized all his efforts. And he succeeded. Not all the opposition of unfrtendly ofaeiais in Paris, nor the hostility of the British Minister could thwart his purposes. and he was successful, not only in securing the moral support of France. but in set ting men, money and materials for the young Government at home. How well he succeeded, and how thoreughly he satis- fled the American Congress is shown by the fact that he was kept at the French court as Commissioner. Minister and Am bassador until the final treaties of peace were signed, and not till i7S5, when he was almost eighty years old was he re- lieved and allowed to return homo to a Republic which he had done 80 much to make free and independent.
 We have been led to these reflections and "reminiscences by events which have re- gently transpired at another European court where all the pride and pomp of royalty is strictly and tenaciously ob- served. Dr. J. L. M. Curry. special envoy to represent our Government at the Court of Spain on the occasion of the corona ton of Alfonso. resembles in many re- spects the Quaker statesman-philosoph of l7Ts He. too. has passed his three score and ten. and he. like Franklin, car ries with him a. reputation known throughout the world. Statesman, sol- dier, educator. minister abroad, profound scholar and thinker, he is a worthy repre- sentative from the greatest of modern countries as Franklin was of the young est. And Dr. Curry. too. disdaining court dress and all the trappings of those who stand near the throne, appeared before their majesties in the simple but appro- priate dress of an American citizen. He represents the people of Republic and public. The cordiality of his reception and the honor and respect shown him prove that it Is the man. not the clothing. which wins respect and attention even from royalty, and Dr. Curry in Madrid Is the same honored citizen that Dr. Curry in Washington or Montgomery would be- The Spanish court will honor him, as the French court honored Franklin, with out demanding that he appear in court dress. We of Alabama are proud of our countrys representative at Madrid, and all the sensible people of the Union win join US In our commentators.
 
 rFs.sA