The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-19
III FIRST AMERICAN,

PHILADELPHIA, April 1s,-Thirty years
ago every country on the globe sent 10
Philadelphia representatives who were 10
take part in celebrating the birth OF a ma
ton. To-day the civilized world SENDS
hither, through representatives OF its uni.
versi1es and learned societies. a body oil
men, fewer in number than those present
at the Centennial Exposition, but equally
distinguished in pure and in applied SCI
ence, in statecraft. in letters, to celebrate
the birth Of a man, To those attending
the American Philosophical Society's ceie-
bration OF the b~icentenary OF BENJAMIN
Franklin's birth, it almost seems hat Frank
lin, instead of remaining an individual
however great, has, by reason OF his multi-
form activities and services to
become practically an institution.
Gathered here in the conservative, SELL
respecting, transformations town where
Franklin spent the best years OF his lie
are those who have travelled thousands OF
miles, from England, Scotland, France,
Germany, Holland; bearing not merely
evidence of their own achievements, typi-
fed by their rich gowns and hoods, but also
the dignity and solidity Of the universities
and learned societies which sent them.
What amazement would all this impressive
magnifcence beget were the scenes OF his
mature years to be revisited by the unaf-
fected, chubby, smooth faced old gentle
man In fur cap and s%pectacles! 1t Is only
within the last half century that the world
at large has rightly comprehended the ex-
tent and Aexibihty, the approach to uni
versatility, one might say, OF Frankfn's
mental genius. 1t Is possible that he
may have imagined some OF the far reach
ing results Of his labors, day by day, in a
hundred fields; but this is not probable.
Judging from the simple records OF his
career, and from the general hone OF the
tributes now being paid his memory, he
was one who, to use modern slang, kept
his eye on the ball all the time He wrote
and taught and experimental and organized
for his immediate present time; not for the
uncertain future with its shifting condi-
tons. Sound common sense, intense prao-
ticability, as distinguished from formula
ton Of purely academic theories, 10 what
has given him a place apart from other
great philosophers. This seems to be the
keynote ringing through all the addresses
presented thus far at the biceptenary
celebration. This is one Of the things that
give these sessions their profound signih-
canoe.
In his opening address DR.. Edgar F.
Smith, president Of the American Philo-
sophical Society, told briefly why 1t was
founded, quoting from Franklin's Proposal
for Promoting Useful knowledge Among
the British Plantations in America Frank
lin, aver at that early date, understood
something of the possibilities Of this great
country. He realized that in New Eng
land, as in New York, New Jersey, Virginia,
Carolina, men were finding new herbs,
plants, woods, fish, animals, grains, fruits,
and were severally adapting them to indi-
vidual uses. He feared that, owing to
the lack Of means for free communication,
much Of this knowledge would perish with
the discoveries; and largely that the
people as a whole might be benefited by
the efforts Of individuals working here and
there, in regions far separated, he sug-
gested the formation Of a scientific asso'
citation, which was organized not long after
ward and which has endured until the
present, gaining influence, distinction, re-
spect, decade by decade. 1t will be noted
of course, that in it's very inception Franklin
proposed a society for promoting useful
knowledge. How we'll his ideas were car
ried out is proved by the attendance this
week of the body Of men who have come ia
pay honor to his memory and respect ia
Tho snoipty