Show 1 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN we pay honor this week to the memory of benjamin franklin one of the greatest figures in american his history tory by the observance of national thrift week but those who think of franklin only in connection with his many canny sayings admonishing thrift and prudence do not hold a true conception of the mans many amazing qualities franklin was a philosopher an ad of thrift moderation and good sense every citizen even today may consider these sayings with benefit to himself he was a diplomat possibly one of the greatest diplomats who ever represented america Ain Terica in a foreign court to his genius as a diplomat may be credited the intervention of france in the war of the revolution at a time tin 1 e when the outcome was shrouded in uncertainty ile he was a scientist his experiments wit with h electricity though crude according to present day standards won not only the interest but the respect of all men of science of his time ile he was a practical inventor one oll of the most valuable and practical of all of his ganv inventions was the development of the heating stove in a time when homes homem were heated only by huge open fireplaces his practical invention brought comfort and happiness to millions or of peopled people ile he was an educator is credited the first movement for universal education with vision far ahead of his time ile he saw that democracy can function only when founded on an enlightened 11 intelligent and educated citizenry ile he was a tu business liness man a printer and a publisher and from what we know of his work as a printer and a man oi of great ability who knew how publisher we may assume that he was to profit in business even in the face of adverse circumstances lie ile was a states statesman nian of the first rank this is best exemplified by the notable pait pail he played in bi the constitutional tut ional convention when the charter of our government was Sor there were times during that convention when the clash of interests and opi opinions n almost brought the convention to a breakup break up it was then that t the he no moderate judgement jud gement and wise vise counsel of benjamin franklin saved the day those who have studied his life pronounce him one of the greatest figures in our entire history it is well therefore that we observe his birthday anniversary each year and consider the value of his many great contributions to american civilization |