Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-01-10
C0MzE DE- EERGz1KYzS

who closed bis eyes or looked the other way
when cannon was surrepttiously removed from
royal arsenals and loaded OIL ships with an I'M
known destination |"
Nor was Franklin's work made any lighter by
his associates. However. Deane. though .honest
but totally incompetent and laundering In his
relations to the French government" was soon
recalled. Lee, an "enviOus marpot eaten up with
jealous hatred for Franklin" certainly was more OF
hindrance than help, until Franklin brushed
him aside as he would wasp" John Adams who
succeeded Deane was a man OF greater caliber
but he had strong prejudices and he did not like
Franklin, whose head was turned he thought BY
admiration and fattery." Not only did he tell
Franklin that he dsapproved OF all his conduct
but Adams constantly wrote letters back to Amer
lea. critcizng Franklin and apparently doing all
he could to discredit him at home Fortunately
however, congress had enough confidence in
Franklin to allow him free hand and So despte
all the difficulties he finally triumphed-in the
treaty OF alliance with France. the loans Of large
sums OF money and the aid Of French troops all
Of which contributed materially to the success
of the Revolution
Although the story of Benjamin FRANKLIN
Ambassador" In Paris is the more important
story In American history, the story of BENJAMIN
Franklin THE man. has a greater element of
human interest 1t lis doubtful II the world ever
seen
this simple unaffected American colonial winning
the hearts Of whole nation as did he Steell's
book Is fnll OF this story--of Frnnkns friendship
for the great men OF France at time when she
was producing great men--philosophers, econo-
mists, statesmen .and scholars. And perhaps most
human Of all Is his conquest OF the hearts of the
good ladies'" For there In no DENYING the focf
that Benjamin Franklin "had way with him"
when women were concerned. The record OF his
friendship, based mutual admiration for those
qualities OF mind and heart shown by both parties
to the friendship, with the blind Madame du Def.
fond famous for her love affair with Horace Wal
pole and her friendship with voltare with Mime.
Helvetius, with Nine. d'Houdetot and with a host
or other brilliant women forms one OF the most
romantic pages In the history of human society
And certainly 1t is all the more to his credit
that the attention which he received from such
brilliant women did not turn his head lesser
man than Franklin probably would have under
the circumstances, furnished another SHINING
example OF women making a fool of man" In
this regard Steell's comment is interesting. He
says:
The list of French men and women ,vbo aaot~oa
and courted him might be enlarged n az ~ ~
ciude every parsonage OF fashion or fame then Nv
ing IN raris, ......,.- Franklin was acknowledged
oy tout Paris 10 be great wit when this capital
appreciated wit above all else and his genius for
friendship would have kept him in remembran nee
han he ~ oiner claim In his lighter as In his
more serious mood, IN his "philanderings" as In
his business contacts, the Franklin liz ALWAYS
there, never TO be mistaken for another who lived
wrote and talked In his time. lie worshIped sell
ence-naturai history IN the lead: he loved good
talK ana az the other good things OF fe he ad
.mred great men, and he dotted on pretty women
10 BON sexes he was an intelligent-and under
standing friend
without being statesman header or even an
organizer, what he Accomplished FOR his country
Win me gus ne had remains unexamped In hui
man accomplishment His political institutions
we're not based on long tradition and life long
study Of precedent. better than wide reading and
hFoadfeAliure they reveal sane thinking and sound
judgment
man must indeed be great who coIrfea by
women, does not appear ridieufoiI4s NM h3yl,s
welEhta III lhat Envy and Scandal can say ii we
ehttAafo rankin thus surrounded we see even
palmer fhs Rinulv qualities az md A.art