New-York tribune., 1906-03-27
FRANKLIN.

The time Of the Franklin celebration draws
near, and every patriotic American will rejoice
to know that the commemorative exercises are
literally planned, TO be worthy Of the nation
and the cause. On both sides of the Atlantic
which Franklin so often crossed I'm his mission
to promote the fraternity of mankind-the name
and memory Of that statesman and philosopher
will be splendidly honored. France will join
hands with America, doing homage to the shade
Of him who was, to both countries. so true
friend. On April 20 a statue of Franklin, the
gift OF Mr.. John II. Harjes, by him presented to
the city of Paris, will be unveiled and formally
dedicated, in the Rue Franklin, in that capital.
Elaborate ceremonies will occur, in which
national government will participate. The Pres
ident of the United States has appointed as a
special Envoy, to represent this nation, Professor
Albert Henry Smyth. of the American PhilOsoph-
ical Society, Of Philadelphia Franklin's most
recent and best biographer, and editor of the
complete and final edition of Franklns works,
now passing through the press, and everywhere
received with grateful admiration. BY men Of
letters throughout the country this appointment
will be hailed with cordial satisfaction; for it
is certain that honor could not be better be
slowed. In making the appointment President
Roosevelt has well designated Professor Smyth'S
mission as one of great public service" The
vocation Of literature is worthily honOred, for
plished of American scholars a man Of high
ideals and exemplary life; wise in counsel; saga
cious tactful; a cosmopolitan traveller, known
and admired in many foreign lands as well as
in his own; a patriot; an orator Of exceptional
grace and power; and, in every way, charming
personality. Professor Smyth's Grafton on
Franklin will be delivered in the great hall of
the TrocaderO Palace, which accommodates an
audience of about six thousand persons; and it
is pleasure to reflect that, for the trying Occa-
sion which awaits him, the orator possesses both
the commanding presence and the cOpiOus and
persuasive voice that such an emergency re-
quires. The committee of arrangements in
cludes the President of the French Republic and
the American Ambassador. After the Grafton
has been delivered Professor Smyth will be
escorted, by the French troops and the United
States marines, to the Rue Franklin, where he
will unvel the statue of Franklin and present
it to the President of France, who will reply for,
the French government and the city of Paris.
On the same day, in Philadelphia, exercises
commemorative of Franklin will occur, under the
auspices of the American Philosophical Society,
concluding with a dinner at the Bellevue-Strat-
ford Hotel at which President Roosevelt and
the members of his Cabinet are expected to be
present together with numerous delegates from
the universities and other learned societies Of
Europe, and at which the French Republic will
be represented by a special Envoy. The cordial
good will of France and the United States can
not be otherwise than warmed and strengthened
by this interchange of cOurtesies and friendly
sentiments, awakening remembrance OF a frater-
nal past, and stimulated by kindly thought of a
great character and a noble example Of which
both nations are proud.