Benjamin Franklin"s son

[Oldetexian]

With all the divisiveness and rancor over political issues and canidates at this point in our nation's life I thought this might add a wee bit of historical perspective...seems there is nothing new under the sun... it was posted by a friend of mine on FB.

Benjamin Franklin’s son William, raised in his home and given all the advantages an indulgent, doting father could give, (William was appointed royal governor of New Jersey not in small part due to his father’s influence) remained a loyalist through the Revolutionary War and for the rest of his life even taking up arms against the cause of freedom his father supported.

After serving a two year prison sentence for his loyalties William lived in England estranged from his father and the land he was born in. After Benjamin essentially cut William out of his will William attempted to bury the hatchet.

His overtures at reconciliation may have been genuine but Benjamin’s response was short, to the point and expressed succinctly the feelings of a broken hearted father: "Nothing," he wrote in response to William "has hurt me so much and affected me with such keen Sensations as to find myself deserted in my old Age by my only Son; and not only deserted, but to find him taking up Arms against me, in a Cause wherein my good Fame, Fortune and Life were at Stake."

[Doc Nock]

yup...Man surely be an opinionated SOB at times and rational thinking be damned on any side at times...

People do tend to prove that opinions and beliefs trump parental convictions at time...

Que Serra