Talking Turkey

Now that we have the nation’s birthday behind us I wish to talk about one of our founding fathers and the myth that he preferred the wild turkey over the bald eagle as our national symbol.   That’s right – there is a persistent story about Benjamin Franklin wanting the choice of national symbol to go to turkey over the bald eagle.    

Say what you will about a bird that easts roadkill vs. a bird that has a sense of sight beyond that of any mere mortal bird.  The truth of the matter is that Old Ben was not a decider on this subject so all of this talk is nothing by speculation and myth.      

It is a fact that in a letter to his daughter (excerpts follow) Franklin does wax philosophical upon virtues such as morality and respectability bestowed-upon each species - and he does make some good point sin the respectability department.    

For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.        

With all this injustice, he is never in good case but like those among men who live by sharping & robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district. He is therefore by no means a proper emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our country…        

I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America… He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.     

click on images for a closer look

 

It is reasonable to presume that this may have contributed to the persistence of the mythology.  

Read this take on the subject and clear your head…..