The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1949-10-13
PLATO AND FRANKLIN

There to be nothing about the to pro-
methods that being used by the political planners to
bring free proud and prosperous American people to
condition of servitude servy and poverty If you doubt
that statement please read what Plato the eminent Greek
philosopher had to say the 4th Century c. on the SUBJ
ec of champions of the people, TYRANNY and high taxes
The people have always some champion whom thew set
over them and nurse into greatness This and no other
is the which tyrant springs when he first an
pears he is protector In the early of power he
is full of smiles and he saues everyone whom he meets
When the tyrant has disposed of his foreign enemies
by conquest or treaty and there nothing fear them
then ne always stirring up other order that
the people may require leader.
has he not another object which is that they may be
Impoverished by payment OF taxes and thus compelled
devote themselves to their daily and therefore less
likely to conSpire against him."
The foregoing sounds though Plato 1900 years
when he made those remarks regarding taxes was
the United States America Are the reckless
spending the plans for progate spending and
the exhoroan taxes just part of carefully calculated plot
to keep the average American citizen busy harassed
that he cannot muster the necessary energy to wage
successful fight against the demagogues? possible that
the political planners who nfest the nations capital have
PLANNED IT THAT WAY?" ~
Small wonder it that thinking Americans are gravelv
concerned about the future of this nation These patros
cannot be caalogued pancky aarms having serious
doubts that The American Way survive the ONSLAUGHT
America seems to be passing through that dangerous phase
which, sooner later every republic has experencedha
nexplcabe period when the czenry becomes srfeited
responsibility ' NiN
After the Founding Fathers had drawn up our glorious
Constitution Benjamin Franklin was asked what the anab
deliberations had brought forth replied "A repubc
II we can keep it Shortly thereafter in letter friend
he made this further comment Our constitution in actual
opeTaon everything appears promise that will last but
IN TINS world nothing is certain but death taxes"
Wise old Ben believed that with the drawing up of our
Constitution framework had been erected Upon which
free and prosperous nation could be built How right he
Was For century and half abided by that Constit
ton and justified Franklins judgment.
But Franklin had read history and he had keen under
standing of human nature That expressed doubt
that we could keep Republic History had revealed to
hlr the many nations that had been wrecked rocks
OF benevolent dictatorship He knew inevitable
sooner later, demagogues would the who
would bid support of the by promising large groups
special economic and social would practice
the trick, almost old time ITSELF of arrayng the shave
notS' against the. "haves"
Oh! for 10th Century Plato Benjamin Franklin to
lead this nation out of the something nothing morass
in which it oundering back to the high dry ground of
individual toll and accomplishment that made us the strong
est most free and most nation all