Omaha daily bee., 1906-04-28
HONOR FRANKLIN'S MEMORY
Celebration in Paris on Occasion Of Unveil-
ing Statue Of American.
MCCORMICK AND SMYTH MAKE SPEECHES
Orator of Day says that Statesman
and Scientist was Personihca-
tion of New Ezra in
Civilization.

I'm CeleDTatOn preceding the unNelLnB To-
day of the statue Of Benjamin Franklin
presented to the city Of Paris by John II.
Harjes. the American banker Of this city,
was held in the palace OF the Trocadro
this afternoon.
The great auditorium of the Trocadero
has been handsomely decorated for the
occasion with the flags and emblems of
France and the United States intertwined.
The formal exercises we're as follows;
Address by Ambassador Mccormick.
Grafton on Franklin by the delegate
appointed by the United states govern
ment, Prof Alfred Henry smyth of the
Boys High school, Philadelphia.
Reply by the representative Of the
Work Barthou.
The ceremony was then transferred TO
the Trocadero square, where the exercises
Presentation of the statue Of Franklin
to the city Of Paris by Mr.. Hartes. =
Hautaurd, president Of the municipal
council of Paris.
Address by Mccormick.
In opening the ceremony, the Ameri-
can ambassador said in part:
When my friend and eompatriot, Mr.
John H. Harjes, esteemed at home and
abroad, informed me OF his intention to
present a statue of Benjamin Franklin to
the city OF Paris 1t seemed to me that the
onstraton Of that warm friendship which
exists. between the worlds two great re-
publics and for which Franklin so firmly
laid the foundation. The happy coincidence
of the approach of the bicentenary Of
F'ranklin's birth opened the way for us
to broaden the unwilling ceremonies into
the fete which you have been asked to
honor with your presence. The spontane-
Gus and hearty cooperation of the French
government has given to this fete the in
ternational character which brings into re-
lief that chapter in Franklin's life which
belongs to France as well as to the United
States and which ] trust will ever be held
dear to the hearts Of citizens OF both
These celebrations have their practical
value in keeping the fres of patriotism
alive with that love of country which in
| lily to take up arms for the defense Of its
honor and its rights.
Advances Cause of Peace.
On the initiation of Frances ally, his
RE Hague tribunal was established that
| governments might have a court Of arbitra-
| ton ready to their hand for the settle
| mitted to IL. But today the voice of pub
/ lie sentiment holds from or impels govern
-ments to action, and that better acquainlt-
which such international celebrations as
this warm into life or keep alive makes as
/ never before for the cause of general
/ peace and the wellbeing of mankind.
| The president of the United States has
already shown In the most practical form
| and with notable success his desire TO
contribute to this end. In appointing
! suitable person to speak for the United
States on this occasion II was th ere bIe
| centenary OF Benjamin Franklin, and by
! this Joint celebration link closer the ties
| that bind France to the United states, DUO
| with that broader aim which has found its
strongest International expression N the
establishment Of The Hague tribunal: A,
| 1 have now the honor to present Mr. Al
Of the United States for the Franklin BIZ
| centennial celebration in Paris.
Address of Mr.. Smyth.
Mr.. Smyth said in part:
The story is told that at a certain ex-
hibition of historical portraits Thomas Car
lyle was seen absorbed In the contempia-
| A small crowd. attracted by curiosity.
gathered about him, to whom the sage OF
Chelsea said, as he pointed pointed 70 tne P tbe
Il would seem that Carlyle expressed
the sentiment and opinion OF mankind; for
upon this two hundredth anniversary of
the birth of the greatest American, the
world has united IN spontaneous ana splen.
and matchless public service.
The history of the career of Franklin is
the story of a struggle. 1t is the record
Of a life. that began in humble and OBJ
scure surroundings and ended In spienoOri
It contains, therefore, the substance OF sne
4 kind. Every one Is familiar with the IN
oidents of his flight from Boston to Phil
adelphia, where on a Sunday morning ne
walked the quiet streets of the sober city
a ridiculous figure munching his roll-how
he found shelter the first night In strange
city at the old Crooked Billet In water
The strange mutations of life! This va,
grant, adventurous lad ISgsea efod ave I'VE,
with shirts and stockings, and Dutcf
dollar his whole stock OF cash-this humble
the most conspicuous and admired figure
OF two continents, to stand before kings
to converse with scholars and to n receive srs
denies Of learning could bestoW.
Franklin IdOIIzed.
Never lived there a man more idolized
Everything about him was initiated anC
can, his brown coat, his bamboo cane.
1t is impossible TO trace in few wordl
the growth Of Franslin.s vast europe 5n IA,
scientific achievements. the MIND o
Europe bordering with all the intensit!
of first enthusiasm upon natural science
was thrilled and amazed by the magnitude
and meaning OF Franklin's researches. A
} once he became, in world enaInore1 o
natural science, the object OF universal IN
terest and admiration Louis Nv, throusl
: Able Mazeas, returned his thanks am
{ compliments to DIR. Franklin of Pennsyl
vania for his discoveries in electricity AT
lists printed him with beginnings plAylnl
on the background OF the picture, OF il6nt
! ing up his benign features. Condorce
Addressed him as the modern Prometheus
Voitaire erected a lightning rod upon hi
IT'S II was not alone in the domain of cleo
D tricity that Franklin made important con
tributions to knowledge. He establsne
, the science of meteorology, demonstrate,
: the geological theory of the earth IN al
/ vance OF Kant, held views upon light an
|, heat that are perfectly consistent Wit
b those held by Cavendish and Clerk MAX
. well, wrote upon contagious colds and IN
G colica pictonum so successfully that
+. was elected TO membership in the roysl 80
cieties of medicine in London and Paris
ara touched informingly upon every sur
1ect, familiar and unfamiliar, in IN
eighteenth century. II 10 not strange ina
. / me world came 70 regard him as an ency
, ! elopaedia OF universal knowledge. Men Q
leaning the foremost in their professioni
approached him in the attitude OF pupil
! | soliciting his eXplication OF OLD problem
and his Judgment upon new theories,
Filangteri Telentlessly examined the Eure
pean system of law, civil and criminal, an
l. | al each step OF his progress turned
, | Franklin for direction. Lorenzo Mani
l. created the Cisalpine republic and lesne
IS upon the encouraging arm OF trankIl
l. The physiocrats, Dupont de Nemours, pl
: | bourg Mrabeau, Turgot, Morellel, an
q the venerable apostle, Quesnay wei
i strengthened by the presence OF trankh
N in their speculative group.
= Living Presence of New Age.
Il Franklin was the living presence OF II
y the successful antagonist of tyrants, Il
builder Of happy states founded upc
n freedom and justice. Franklin was as al
h conscious as any fair dame or giddy cou
- tier that strong current whose compulsil
- course was carrying the nation rapidly al
irresistably 10 ruin. During his residen
In Paris he enjoyed familiar intereou