The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1942-02-12
THE THIRD GREAT son OF FEBRUARY

OUTSTANDING AMONG many great Americans
~ who have made America a great nation are
three sons of February, George Washington, Abra-
ham Lincoln and Thomas Edison. America cee-
brates the nnetyfifth birthday of the Third Great
Son, Thomas Edison, whose inventive genius,
courage and kindness have enhanced and enrich
ed the America as we know it; the America faith
cred by Washington and preserved by Lincoln.
This year, the President of the United States
has proclaimed Wednesday, Feb. II Thomas Ava
Edison Day. calling for display of the flag Of the
United States and inviting the people of America
to observe the day in schools, churches and other
suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies.
Why should such unique honor held until
now by only two past presidents of the United
States, be accorded a private citizen? What does
America owe to Edison that his birthday should
be set aside as one of public observance by PreSi-
Dental proclamation Why has he become The
Third Great Son of February?
Here are few good reasons
Thomas Alva Edison, with an amazing wizard
ry for invention, devoted his entire life to foster
ing the welfare Of Americans in particular and
mankind in general. He helped to make America
great and in so doing he endowed the lives Of
peoples world wide with added comfort, health and
"a myriad Of conveniences. His inventions have
created vast industries, valued at countless billions
of dollars and giving lucrative employment to
many millions of Americans in all walks Of life.
Among the greatest of his inventions is organ
Zed research, Tor out OF the nation great lndliS
trial laboratories which have sprung from this
system come added enrichment economic and So
cial betterment the basis of new industries, more
productivity of already gigantic American insti-
tutions. BY fatherng organized research Edison
widened the horizon of mans potential attain
ments beyond the realm of human conjecture, and
made great America greater.
His birthday is set apart as a tribute - a
tribute to The Third Great Son Of February, and
justly So for in rush to capture and enjoy the
benefits he created we have not paused as long
las we should have to realize fully the true great
ness of Thomas Alva Edison, to realize the herit-
age which he has handed to us and to fully
appreciate the force for good and progress Of man
kind born with Edison. He is more than entitled
to such homage for he is truly an inspiration for
a Americans. He rose to the heights of his
liability and left behind not only better world, a
greater America in which to live, but the founda-
tions upon which daily progress is being made and
future progress will be made
Americans can look upon the life of Thomas
Alva Edison as a life of conquest and achievement
a life Of conquest over a humble beginning,
many hardships and multiple disappointments
and Of achievement Of the things worth achieving.
His way Of life embodied all the finest ideals Of
America today, and the America Of tomorrow for
which we hope and should all work.
These reasons are why he is the Third Great
Son Of February-and Of America. We should
Ia recognize our debt to Thomas Alva Edison and
pay humble homage by remembering today as his
birthday and day for thanksgiving.