The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-01-16
Today

BY Arthur BRIsBANI
Copyright. u2L)

So carry on the work, asked III nc
replaced Franklin. replied, "No
one can replace him, sir; l am
only his successor"
What was true in Jefferson 's
day Is true now. This country has
/ produced no one TO REPLACE
Franklin.
When he was born, on the 18th
Of January, 2l6 years ago, a
great power came into the world.
There might have been no free
United States without Franklin
with one exception, the greatest
man that this Nation has pro
duced.
The week Of Franklin's birth is
made a, "thrift" week. That is
not q bad idea for dull-minded
people that see in Franklin moth
ing moro important than his inn
mature "Poor Richard" moraliz-
ing on pennies and pounds.
1t would be better to celebrate
Franklin's birthday with q
THINKING week. This country
needs thought more than it needs
money.
Those that value the opinion of
foreigners may take special pride
in the impression created by
Franklin wherever he went
abroad. He appeared at the bar
Of the House Of Commons to pro-
test against the Stamp Act, caused
its immediate repeal, and the
great Burke said of Franklin,
simple hearted, deep thinking
Quaker, standing ut the bar, ques-
toned by England's lawmakers,
that the scene reminded him OF
master examtnsd by a parcel Of
schoolboys.
Franklin conquered England,
mentally, when he went there:
physically, when England came
here, seeking to conquer. You can
not say as much OF some other
representatives that America has
sent to England.
Balzac said of Franklin, Frank
lin invented the lightning rod, the
hoax lie canard) and the re-
public" Franklin knew how to
make the hoax useful and anus
ing. He wrote against slavery
seventy-five years before it ended
in this country. James Jackson
of Georgia, quoted the Bible In
defense Of slavery. Franklin in
vented texts that never existed
from the Koran and parodied each
Bible text for black slavery with
a Koran text supposed to have
been used in Algiers in defense OF
Mohammedans holding Christian
In another Franklin hoax. the
Count De ScifaumberR. who got
English money for Hessian troops
sold to fight American colonists,
tells that he is planning 'for a
grand italian opera, needs plenty
of money, and hopes many Hes
SLAMS will be killed to create a de-
mand for more"
Every, American should read
Franklin's autobiography, one OF
the few great autobiographies ever
written. Avoid any silly, expur-
gated edition.
Improvement in human beings
is caused by the strange desire to
possess goodness for its own sake.
which crops up in youth and usual
ly dies early. Franklin had his
attack of goodness. He often con-
uuered 1t, as shown by the list Of
his illegitimate children, and other
incidents, but fundamental good
ness remained with him all his life.
Says he, about this time con-
ceiyed the bold and arduous pro-
iect Of arriving at moral perfec-
ton. wished to live without
committing any fault at any time"
Following this large resolution
he mapped out twelve rules of
conduct. Here they are, con-
densed:
Temperance. Eat not to dull
ness: drink not to elevation.
2-Silence. Speak not but what
may benefit others than yourself.
3--Order. Let all your things
have their places; each part OF
your business its time.
4--Resolution. Resolve to per-
form what you ought; perform
what you resolve.
5-Frugality. Make no expense
but to do good to others than your
self.
6-Industry. Lose no time; be
always employed in something
useful; cut of unnecessary ac-
tons.
sincerity. Use no hurtful de-
ceit, think innocently and Justly;
speak accordingly.
S-Justice. Wrong none by do
ing injuries, or emitting the bene-
FITS that are your duty.
s-Moderation. Avoid extremes;
forbear resenting injuries so much
as you think they deserve.
10-Cleanliness. Tolerate no
uncieanliness in body, clothes, or
habitation.
11--Tranquility. Be not dis
turbed at tribes, or at accidents
common or unavoidable.
12-Chastity.
After he had made up his list of
twelve rules, some friend told him
that he was occasionally vain. 80