Rock Island Argus., 1906-01-15

cities. London and Paris, and he
brought the young American nation
prestige and popularity throughout Eu-
rope.
Franklin's first service as u repre-
sentative OF the colonies came long be
fore the Revolution, when he went to
London on behalf of Pennsylvania to
bring about the taxation of the Penn
proprietary estates. These great hold
ings had been exempted, which made
the burdens of taxation fail more heay-
lily on others. In this effort he was
finalIy successful. He afterward spent
years in London, representing Pennsyl-
vania and indirectly the other colonies
in the growing troubles with the moth
er country. His tactful, able and con-
vincing testimony before a parliamen-
tary committee had much TO do with
the repeal OF the obnoxious stamp act.
He wrote anonymous pamphlets in be-
half of the colonies that were so unique,
so witty and so full OF meat that they
had great vogue even in England,
where public opinion was hostile. I'll
nally, when the feeling grew more bit
ter, Franklin, because of some letters
he had received and would not divulge,
regarding them as confidential, was
subjected to an outra geous cross ques-
tioning and castigation by Mr.. Wedder-
burn and was deprived of his office OF
deputy postmaster general for the col
onies. To Wedderburn's accusations
he answered not q word, but stood Sc
rene and unmoved to the end. when he
took his departure This composure
test even in the eyes OF his foes.
1t was probably with sincere regret
that Franklin decided to- leave Eng
land. He had been Immensely popular
there. had been made a member of
nearly ull the learned societies, had
been given degrees from the leading
universities and had been on terms of
friendly Intimacy with most of the
celebrities In London. He had also
striven to prevent a break between the
colonies and the mother country to
such an extent that at times he had
gained the iii will of both. Relations
had grown so strained. however, that
il was useless for him to remain
longer, so with a sore heart he re-
turned to Philadelphia on the eve of
the Revolution.
Benjamin Franklin's last diplomatic
mission and most celebrated OF all was
to Paris. Here he went as the repre-
sentative of the united colonies shortly
after the outbreak Of the war for indie
pendence. His reception was even
more fiattering than 1T had been in
London His fame as scientist, au-
thor and friend Of liberty made him a
popular idol. He became the fashion.
His quaint sayings, which he issued
from time to time from little printing
press which he set up at his rooms,
were quoted by every one. Even the
plafnness Of his dress did not detract
from the universal esteem in which he
was held. 1t Is said that when Frank
I'm sent to the king request that he
might be permitted to wear the sort of
clothes he bad worn at home. knit
stockings and all, the king smiIngly
gave his assent. and his court soon for
got the LONELINESS of the Quaker
statesman's attire In the brilIiancy of
his mind. In the language of his friend
Paine. he was willing to "iet those
wear fine clothes who need them" His
inner adornment was such he did not
require the outer.
Frankiin's great popularity in Paris
eootfnued to the end, and that in spite
Of the fact that Lee, one Of his fellow
commissioners, tried to create preju-