Isabella Carter
The signing of the United States Constitution was a significant event that took place during the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia. Out of the 74 delegates chosen to attend the Constitutional Convention, 55 participated, and 39 signed the final draft. The signatures on the Constitution represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with individuals having experience in local, colonial, or state government. The decision to sign or not sign the Constitution was influenced by various factors, including personal beliefs, concerns about specific provisions, and the desire to create a sense of unity among the states. Benjamin Franklin, a respected delegate, summed up the sentiments of those who signed, acknowledging their reservations but ultimately accepting the Constitution as the best option at the time.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of delegates chosen | 74 |
| Number of delegates attended | 55 |
| Number of delegates signed | 39 |
| Youngest signer | Jonathan Dayton (aged 26) |
| Oldest signer | Benjamin Franklin (aged 81) |
| First signer | George Washington |
| Signing instrument | Ink and goose quill pens |
| Signing motivation | Signing with reservations, but agreeing with enough and feeling it was the best that could be achieved at that time |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Benjamin Franklin's endorsement of the Constitution
Benjamin Franklin, a printer, inventor, scientist, and statesman, played a significant role in shaping the U.S. Constitution and the vision for the new nation. On September 17, 1787, the 81-year-old Franklin delivered a speech at the Constitutional Convention, expressing his support for the Constitution despite his reservations about its flaws. Franklin acknowledged that there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of at present, but he remained open to changing his opinion with better information and fuller consideration.
Franklin's central idea revolved around his cautious yet supportive stance towards the Constitution. He emphasized the human limitations that influenced the creation of such a system and the need for consensus to ensure its success. Franklin saw the Constitution as the best possible option given the circumstances and urged the delegates to accept it as such. He also highlighted the importance of humility in judgment and advocated for a collective endorsement of the Constitution for the common good.
Franklin's speech was aimed at convincing the three delegates, Gerry, Randolph, and Mason, who had refused to sign the Constitution due to the absence of a Bill of Rights. Franklin personally begged Randolph to sign, and his influential speech ultimately helped to secure the endorsement of the Constitution.
Franklin also left behind memorable quotes in public documents and a vast volume of personal correspondence due to his involvement with the Declaration of Independence and the Constitutional Convention. One of his most well-known quotes related to the Constitution is, "Our new Constitution is now established, and everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes."
Who Signed the US Constitution? Not All Delegates
You may want to see also
The signing ceremony
A signing ceremony is a ceremony in which a document of importance is signed or approved. The act of physically signing a document is seen as adding gravitas to the moment. Signing ceremonies are often associated with legislative triumphs for the executive.
The Signing of the United States Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This ceremony falls under the category of a signing ceremony performed by the President of the United States, making an act of Congress into federal law.
Fifty-five delegates participated in the convention, though thirteen of them dropped out, and three of the remaining forty-two refused to sign. In the end, thirty-nine delegates signed the final draft of the Constitution. The names of the thirty-nine delegates are inscribed upon the proposed constitution, with George Washington, as president of the Convention, signing first. The other delegates' signatures were grouped by states in geographic progression from north to south.
Benjamin Franklin, the oldest signer at 81, delivered an address strongly endorsing the Constitution despite any perceived imperfections. He summed up the sentiments of those who did sign, stating:
> "There are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. I accept the Constitution... because I expect no better and because I am not sure that it is not the best."
Presidential Signing Statements: Constitutional or Overreach?
You may want to see also
The role of the signers
The US Constitution outlines the framework of the nation's federal government and how its three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) should function. The signers of the Constitution were delegates at the Constitutional Convention, and their signatures indicated their support for the document, though not necessarily their agreement with all of its contents.
Of the 74 delegates chosen to attend the Constitutional Convention, 55 participated, and 39 signed the final draft. The signers represented a diverse group of 18th-century American leaders, including those with experience in local, colonial, or state government. Additionally, seven had signed the Declaration of Independence, and thirty had served on active military duty.
The signatures of the delegates carried significant weight. By signing, they gave personal endorsement to the Constitution and indicated their states' support. This was crucial in gaining acceptance for the Constitution and encouraging states to ratify it into law. The signers' names were grouped by state, with the states listed geographically from north to south.
The oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, who delivered an address strongly endorsing the Constitution despite its imperfections. He acknowledged that while he did not approve of every part of the document, he accepted it as the best option at the time. Franklin's sentiments were shared by other delegates who chose to sign, understanding that their signatures represented a compromise and a step towards a stronger nation.
The Constitution's Signing: A Historical Event
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Concerns about a lack of specific statements of rights
The United States Constitution is a document that outlines the framework of the nation's federal government and how its three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) should function. It also guarantees civil rights and liberties to all individuals, regardless of their immigration status, including freedom of speech, press, and religion.
However, during the drafting and signing of the Constitution, there were concerns raised about the lack of specific statements of rights. Three individuals who participated in the convention refused to sign the final draft, and several others left before the signing ceremony. These dissenters likely had concerns about the absence of a bill of rights within the Constitution. The Federalists, for example, argued that a bill of rights was unnecessary and that listing some rights might lend support to the argument that the government had unrestrained power over the rights not listed.
On the other hand, anti-Federalists opposed the ratification of the Constitution due to the lack of a declaration of fundamental rights. They believed that a bill of rights was necessary to protect individual liberties and prevent government overreach. This tension between Federalists and anti-Federalists eventually led to the creation and adoption of the Bill of Rights, which consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution.
The Ninth Amendment, in particular, addresses the concern of unenumerated rights. It states that just because a right is not specifically listed in the Constitution does not mean that people do not have that right. This amendment reinforces the understanding that individuals possess rights beyond those explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.
In summary, while the United States Constitution guarantees certain basic rights, there were concerns about the lack of specific statements of rights during its drafting and signing. These concerns led to debates between Federalists and anti-Federalists, ultimately resulting in the addition of the Bill of Rights and the Ninth Amendment, which acknowledges the existence of unenumerated rights.
The Constitution and New York: Signatures and Stories
You may want to see also
Amendments and the Bill of Rights
The US Constitution, which outlines the framework of the nation's federal government and its three branches, has been amended 27 times. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. James Madison wrote these amendments to limit the government's power and protect individual liberties. The Bill of Rights was influenced by the Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason, as well as the English Magna Carta, Petition of Right, English Bill of Rights, and Massachusetts Body of Liberties.
The First Amendment prohibits the government from establishing a religion or impeding the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to assemble, and the right to petition the government. The Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms, and the Third Amendment prevents the government from forcing homeowners to allow soldiers to use their homes during peacetime or wartime without the owner's consent.
The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable government intrusion into their homes by requiring a warrant. The Fifth Amendment provides several protections for those accused of crimes, including the right to a grand jury for serious criminal charges, protection against double jeopardy, just compensation for property taken, the right against self-incrimination, and the right to due process of law. The Sixth Amendment grants additional rights to the accused, such as the right to a speedy and public trial and an impartial jury.
The Seventh Amendment extends the right to a jury trial in federal civil cases, while the Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishment. The Ninth Amendment clarifies that the listing of specific rights in the Constitution does not deny other rights retained by the people. Finally, the Tenth Amendment states that any powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved for the states or the people.
The Mystery of Sterling C. Robertson's Signature on the Constitution
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
39 of the 55 delegates who participated in the convention signed the US Constitution.
Some people did not sign the US Constitution because they did not agree with everything in the document. Thirteen delegates dropped out, either for personal reasons or in protest over decisions made during the deliberations. Three of the 42 who remained refused to sign.
The top concerns included the lack of specific statements of rights protected and upheld through the Constitution, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press.
Those who signed the Constitution believed that they agreed with enough and felt it was the very best that could be achieved at that time. Benjamin Franklin, a respected statesman, summed up these sentiments in a speech ahead of signing the document.
The signing of the US Constitution laid out the framework of the nation's federal government and delineated how its three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) would function.
