Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-01-12

Bust Of Franklin
IN the Hall Of Fonne
BY ELMO SCOTT WATSON

VINO will exclaim "Whatl Rem
XH< 1amln FRANKLIN greater American
@A than George Washington %
Several years ago historian an
sWefed tnat question In the affirmative and gave
as his reasons the following.
1 The expression Of Franklns greatness did
not depend ON events beyond his control
= he would have been great man In any
period or worlds history. In any land
Q he would have been among the great even
II his endeavors had been confined to one only
OF sereval lines Of actlvity In which his achieve
ments were OF the highest rank.
= he would be great man II he were living
today.
s. Franklin was known throughout the world
as great man long before the Revolution. IN
which ne played a part as big as that OF anv
other great man of the period WashIngton,s
greatness began with the Revolution.
O. Inere Is no exact standard hy which human
greatness can be measured or compared But
one criterion Is the opinion Of citizens OF other
natlons-free from the prejudices. either for or
against, held by the fellow-citizens of graat
man. Outside the United States Franklin wonld
De named more than any other American as the
greatest American and as one of the few greatest
men of all time
And In comparing these two great Americans
what inner tribute could be paid to the greatness
Of Benjamin Franklin than was once mid nv
washington himself? Writing from New YORK
on September %, 1852 to express his sympathy
Tor an illness which had struck Franklin down
washington said would to God nv dear
oir that could congratulate you upon the re-
noVal OF fnat excruciating pain, under which YOU
fssar, and that your existence might close with
as much ease to yourself rs Its continuance has
Deen Denehcal to our country and useful to man.
kinn' or, II the united wishes of free neonle
M nn1xx
Joihen WIN the earnest prayers OF every friend
OF science and humanity. could relieve the body
from pains or Innrmties; that yon could claIm
an exemption on this score But this cannet be
and You have within yourself the only resource
70 which we can confidently apply for relief. a
phlosophic mind. Tfato be venerated for
Denevolence. II to be admired for talents If
10 be esteemed for patriotism If to he
ioved Tor philanthropy can crafty the human
mind, you must have the pleasing consolation
TO know that YOU have not lived in vain"
But. dispensing with any invidIous comnarI
son between two great men. the listing of the
Following outstanding achievements of BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN should be ample proof of the business
of characterizng him as "The Greatest
American.
He discovered that lightning is electricity.
proved 1t first by observation and loejc~and sac.
ond by actual test with his KITE. also invented
the lightning rod which Or Charles stenmatr
said Is still the best and most reliable protection
we have against lightning
lie was the first to discover that a current 81
electricity has magnetic effect l. e. that II can
magnetic piece OF steel This is the funda
mental principle on which the telegraph. the tele
phone and the electric motor are based
ne gave the world the best theory OF cleo
tricity and modern science has adopted his earlv
conclusions. These were that electricity consists
-nf m mr. ttaIac
pass between the atoms or ordinary matter
They are now called elecrons and have made
possible the radio.
lie invented the Franklin stove the first sue
cessfnl woodworking stove used In this country
ana ne invented the Invaluable contrlvance by
which fire consumes its own smoke. and made
the first smoke consuming stove or furnace
He helped establish the first chartered fire IN.
surance company In America
Among his many inventions should be In
cludad three-wheei clock, library chair that