honor steady to a common end, and prefer the interests of mankind to any narrow interest of their own."

The End of the War

Late in the year of 1918 the Great War ended. Bulgaria, Turkey, Austria, and Germany saw that they were defeated and asked for peace.

The Allies compelled the rulers of these countries to yield to many things.

They made sure that these nations could never start another such war.

Then the people of Germany and Austria saw that they had been deceived by their rulers.

They turned their kings and emperors out of office.
New nations were formed out of Austria.
Germany became a republic.

The great war for democracy had succeeded.

LESSON 4

GREAT AMERICAN CITIZENS

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin has been called the first great American.

Franklin was born in the city of Boston, January 17, 1706.

He was the fifteenth of seventeen children.
He started life as a poor boy.

Franklin became a printer by trade, but he found time to do many other things besides.

He helped the Colonies to become free from England.

He was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and of the Constitution of the United States.

Franklin wrote and printed "Poor Richard's Almanac."

In this Almanac Franklin taught the colonists to be saving, hard-working, self-reliant, and honest. Here are some of the sayings from the Almanac : "Early to bed and early to rise,

Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." "God helps them that help themselves."

"Never leave that till to-morrow which you can do to-day."

As the "friend of humanity," Franklin invented the stove, discovered a cure for smoky chimneys, and found a new fertilizer for farmers to use.

It was for his "fellowmen" that he improved the post office and that he paved the streets of Philadelphia.

It was for them that he founded schools, libraries, and hospitals.

D

Franklin was the first of democrats who lived with his fellowmen and for his fellowmen.

Franklin has written the story of his life. It is called the "Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.” Some day you may want to read this interesting book.

George Washington

George Washington is called the "Father of his Country."

He was born in Virginia on February 22, 1732.

During the War of Independence he was the Commander in Chief of the American Army and Navy.

After the war was over a new government was to be made. Some of the officers wished to make Washington the king. Washington was indignant. He would not listen to them.

He believed that America had suffered too long because of tyrannical kings.

Then the people elected him the first President. As the President, Washington laid a strong foundation for our American government.

He arranged the money affairs of the country. He helped to build a strong and orderly central government.

Because of his good work, America was respected in other lands.

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson, the "Friend of the People," was born in Virginia, April 2, 1743.

He was a great lover of liberty.

When he saw how England oppressed the American Colonies he became a true patriot.

He helped to make the plans for the war against England.

Jefferson was at the head of a committee of five to write the Declaration of Independence.

During the war Jefferson was busy building a state in Virginia.

He established complete freedom of religion in Virginia.

He helped to make better laws for immigrants. He did away with laws that imprisoned people for debt.

He planned better schools for the people.

When he became President, he helped to pass many laws which made America more democratic.

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was born February 12, 1809, on a Kentucky farm.

From boyhood he always worked hard.