The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-05-26

political world; man who sent the
terror OF his name across land and
sea; man whose will was feared as
destiny: man who broke down the
barriers of the Alps and made them
4 highway: man whose fame was
spread beyond the boundaries OF civ
iIization 10 the steppes Of the Cos
That he did much evil there is little
doubt; that he has been the origin
OF much good, there is just as little.
Through his means, intentional or
not, Spain, Portugal and France
have risen to the blessings OF free
constitutions and the feudal system
with its whole train OF tyrannic
satellites, has fed forever. Kings
may learn from him that their safest
study is the welfare of the people;
and the people are taught by him
that there is no despotism so stupen-
dous against which they have no re-
course.
When the Mayfower departed
from European shore she took
thence the seed, which transplanted
on the soil of the new world, was
destined to grow and ripen into the
greatest liberty-loving nation OF tho
universe. From these colonies-col-
onies planted in poverty and taxa
ton, and fated to remain so for
many years-came forth some of the
greatest men the world has ever
produced; men who were born poor,
who had many obstacles to sur
mount; but men, who in spite of
these difficulties, by their bold and
ceaseless work raised the name of
their country from the depths of in
significance and obscurity to a po-
sition honored by every nation in the
world
In that proud circle of great war
riors and great civilians who illumi-
mated the history of the. United
States, none should stand in brighter
light than the diplomats of the Rev.
olution. The life of Ben jamin Frank
lin is one of the most extraordinary
instances on record of what can be
and a conscientious nurture of the
faculties. He was born in a humble
sphere; he began his career as an ap-
prentice; he mastered almost all
branches of knowledge, aided alone
by his own perseverance and deter
he rose to become the ar
bitter of nations; the champion of
sovereigns; ascending step by step
from the humble printers shop to
these exalted positions. While
was fighting our battles
for us at home. Franklin was abroad
funds. negotiating treaties,
loans, and otherwise adj
the cause of American
AS philosopher his
lame spread to the uttermost ends
If the earth; as diplomat he re-
,eived a hearing in the most polished
court of Europe, and successfully |
conducted the affairs of his country |
through perplexities and difficulties
If the most trying kinds; and as a /
patriot he gained the love and adj
of all virtuous and honor
.ble men.
Just as George Washington was
he hero of the first struggle with |
Great Britain for American indie |
)endence, so was the back woods |
nan, Andrew Jackson the hero of !
he second struggle fought for the
same cause. He learned to read and
write in log cabin school house in |
he piny woods of North Carolina;
md the first great political truth |
hat reached his heart twas that all
men are free and equal" The first |
great fact that beamed on his under
was his country's independ |
ence. As boy of thirteen he wit
1essed the scenes and horrors that
war and when but a year
older, with an elder brother, he
his musket and went |
forth to strike a blow for his coun- |
try joyous era for American hui
but for him the events of
war were full of agony and grief, for
the war deprived him of brother,
father and mother. Behold then!
Our orphan hero sternly earnest,
to humanity from child
hood by sorrow, so young and yet so
and therefore, bound the
more closely to collective man. Be-
hold him elect for his lot to go forth
and to assist in laying the founda-
ton of society in the great valley OF