The Ordway new era., 1911-01-20
NUMBER 46
Bon FronkHn

Two hundred and five years ago
today January ~ In the city OF Bos-
ton. Ben franklin was born.
Throughout the country, wherever
men honor their country's notable
contributions to the cause of science,
philosophy and literature since the
brilliant and picturesque son OF the
humble Massachusetts soap maker
coaxed the lightning from the sky,
and demonstrated for an incredulous
world the analogy between 1t and
electricity. his memory strikes re-
spOnsive chord In millions of human
hearts.
In recalling his wish that he might
be preserved for one hundred years in
a cask Of Madeira wine and be brought
back to life at the end OF that time to.
see what his country had wrought In
the meanwhile, his trite remark, "Of
what use is new born babe?" made
to the man who cOntemptuOusly
quized him concerning the value OF
certain experiments then being made
In ballooning by Montgolfer. comes
home with new emphasis in the light
OF recent achievements. Assuming
that Franklin could come back, how
he would marvel at the bewildcr-
Ing array OF wonders that would con-
front him at every corner! His coun-
try, no longer limited to the original
thirteen states with their S27,Si4
square miles Of territory now spreads
Its starry emblem OF freedom over
two continents, embracing 3.02G, 7s9
square miles. Its public debt has
grown from less than s75, 600, 900 to
81 .04s, ,449, 1876. its receipts from $2O,-
100000 to 81, ,287 .O35, 1888, and its an
nual expenditures from SIT, ,OOO, 900 to
81, PIC, 100000. Where there we're
5,0OO, 900 inhabitants there are now
92, ,OOo.o The postofilce system
which he founded with annual re-
ceipts Of 5000. 200, has grown to $685.
56z, 3S3, Powerful steamships have
driven the old sailing vessel and
packet ship almost completely from
the face of the sea. The pony ex-
press has given way to the high pow
cred railway train, the electric trolley
and the automobile.
The tallow candle has gone before
the electric light. some $4,000, 900 OF
which GLOW nightly in the. Emitted
States. Beneath the waters the sub
marine cavorts about the natives OF
the deep and across the horizon the
fleet winged acrOplane scars with the
skill OF the eagle and the buzzard.
In the field Of electricity, interest in
which he did so much to stimulate,
Franklin would find amazing vindica.
tion OF his president Judgment when
he asked his interrogator "Of what
use was new born babe?" Since he
thus spoke have come Professor
Morse's telegraph, Prof. Alexander
Graham Bells telephone. Edison's
phonograph, Delany's 1000 words Il
minute telepost automatic telegraph,
Westinghouse's wonderful mechanical
inventions, Elias Howe's sewing ma
chine, McCormick's reaper, Marconi's
wireless and a Thousand and one
other wonderful electrical and me-
chanical devices that multiply mans
usefulness. The high powered cylin-
der press has displaced the foot press
OF "Poor Richards" time and the limo
type the setting of type by hand.
Since he passed away the negroand the
Russian serf have been cmancipated,
Napoleonism crushed from the earth
and the doctrine Of republicanism
widely disseminated We have had
four wars but are greater and more
prosperous than ever, with wealth
OF 1925, 900, OO0-twice that Of Great
Britain and three times that Of Ger
many. Truly might he now say-if
he could come back-"Of what use is
new born babe?"