Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-01-10
BY ELMO SCOTT WATSON


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If BENJAMIN FRANKLIN were alive
today
While 1t may, perhaps. be idle
IE2 kzI business to speculate upon the
lkAa Mi suits Of such an event as stated In
IZ1 the foregoing, In these modern days
OF American participation in world
affairs and with a admnstra-
tion facing the solution of important
international problems, 1t might be particularly
advantageous for this country to have a modern
Benjamin Franklin Ambassador OF good
will" in helping solve them. For Benjamin Frank
lin, Americas first Ambassador" in fact, even II
not officially entitled to that distinction.
OF the most skillful diplomats who represent
ed the United States abroad
AS January II approaches to mark the ami
versary Of Franklin's birth, Americans likely
to remember him principally because Thrift week,
which begins on that date, recalls to their minds
the fact that Franklin. through his poor Richards
Almanac the first American apostle OF
thrift The printers and newspaper men OF Amer
lea will remember him then because January II
Is the beginning OF Newspaper week and recalls
his great service as pinoeer In the journalism OF
this country. And such the versatilit, of this
man that various other groups will have occasion
to remeneDef him because he an inventor
scientist philosopher and writer But few
OF us know much about him In another role-that
OF unofficial ambassador to France whose ac
compishments were OF incalculable value to the
cause OF liberty and but for whom the struggle to
gain that liberty might not have been successful
For that reason the appearance of a new book ia
particularly timely. 1t Is BENJAMIN Franklin Of
Paris 1776-1785," written by Willis Steell and pub
lished recently by Minton. Bach and company.
When Franklin was selected in 1778 as one OF
three commissioners OF equal powers In France to
angle for aid for the revolving colonies a post
al n,1y1 l--t -
ding OF delicate international questions, the
choice happier one than the Continental
congress realized at that time. For this was not
Franklins first visit to France. He had been there
In 1867. AS philosopher and scientist, he had
been welcomed by the best minds Of the time la
France and had been invited to become a member
OF the School Of Economists. Doctor Quesnay
former physician to the famous Madame de Pom
padour, but more noted "ThelApostle of the
Economists, wrote a note to Mirabeau which said
Doctor Franklin has just left me - he ia
the sage we pictured, that and more, humorist
philosopher old regime gentleman, miracle out
OF uninhabted country : . He was nre-
sented at the court Of Louis XIV and made friend
ships which were destined to be OF great value
later Again in 1860 he returned to France, after
an extended stay in England where he served as
agent for Georgia, New Jersey and Massachusetts
and had been looked upon as a colonial amhassn.
DOR at time when the first storm clouds OF the
Revolution were beginning to loom up on the
horizon. On this visit Steel records. THE old
friends ran to him in crowds md brought others
by their panegyrcs Mile. Bihuron modelled him
in wax, popular artists asked him to sit and II he
declined sketched him from memory The Econ.
omlsts held special session inShis honor Dupont.
Duhourg. the Count and Countess Maurepas de-
yised entertainments with Franklin as the guest
OF honor Now. In fact. and to his satisfaction.
Franklin made the acquaintance OF an exceeding
number OF good ladies'"
The popularity OF this man. who had once been
q penniless boy In Philadelphia. and wander.
Ing printer In England and who when he was
later chosen as a commissioner to France de-
scribed himself MS flag end" because his name
came up for consideration In the Continental con.
gress as. nm afterthought, In Paris the cester of
the most brilliant sophstfcated and intellectual
social and diplomatic life in Europe Is explained
by Steel as follows:
when Franklin came to Paris and met the mer
ana women OF society, with their graceful Iogi.
their enticinE vices. he to Judge hut to
hccepf with open mind all the views and standards
of a rationalistc civilization
lie had no pride and reserves; all men in
terested him md he could interest any man He
had early learned how to choose the right words
10 nay exa ~ That he meant to express to hide