Malcolm Rivera
At 81 years old, Benjamin Franklin closed the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, with a speech that addressed the imperfections of the Constitution. Despite his doubts, Franklin signed the Constitution, famously stating, I agree to this constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general government necessary for us…Thus, I consent, sir, to this constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best. Franklin's attendance at the convention and his sage advice influenced several key aspects of the new constitution, including the role and framework of the national executive branch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age when signing the Constitution | 81 years old |
| Views on the Constitution | Believed it was near perfection, despite having several parts he did not approve of |
| Views on Government | Thought a general government was necessary, but could only end in despotism |
| Views on Monarchy | Opposed a single executive-for-life, preferred a small council with frequent changes in members |
| Views on Signing the Constitution | Wanted unanimous consent of the states, even if individuals had objections |
| Views on Objections | Believed that expressing objections could prevent the Constitution from being generally received |
| Views on Compromise | Recognized the diversity of opinions and the importance of unanimity, willing to set aside personal opinions for the greater good |
| Influence on the Constitution | Offered sage advice and influenced several key aspects |
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What You'll Learn
Franklin's views on the necessity of a general government
Benjamin Franklin was 81 years old when he attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He was in poor health and hoped for a well-deserved rest. Despite this, he played an important role in shaping the Constitution, offering sage advice and influencing several key aspects of the new constitution.
Franklin recognized the diversity of opinions among the delegates and the challenges of reaching a perfect consensus. He acknowledged that the Constitution had its faults and aspects that he did not approve of, but he was open to changing his opinions based on better information and fuller consideration. He humbly expressed doubt in his own judgment and respected the judgments of others, recognizing that no individual or group could claim absolute truth.
Franklin's pragmatism and willingness to compromise were evident in his efforts to convince three delegates who refused to sign the Constitution due to their objections. He proposed a form of signing that affirmed the unanimous approval of the Constitution by the states present, rather than personal endorsement. This approach, suggested by Gouverneur Morris, allowed delegates to express their approval of the Constitution's unanimous support without explicitly endorsing it themselves.
Franklin's influence extended beyond his ideas, as his presence at the convention, alongside George Washington, lent weight and importance to the gathering. He actively participated in debates, such as those surrounding the role and framework of the national executive branch, advocating for a shared power structure instead of a single executive-for-life.
In conclusion, Benjamin Franklin's views on the necessity of a general government were shaped by his belief in the importance of unity and the potential for any form of government to be a blessing if well-administered. He approached the Constitution with pragmatism, openness to change, and respect for diverse opinions. His contributions to the Constitutional Convention, including his influence on key aspects of the Constitution and his efforts to secure unanimous approval, were instrumental in shaping the foundation of the United States.
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Signing the Constitution despite personal objections
Benjamin Franklin was an 81-year-old delegate at the 1787 Constitutional Convention, which would be his last moment in the spotlight of American history. He was in poor health, afflicted with gout and a kidney stone, and hoped for a well-deserved rest. Despite this, he played a crucial role in shaping the US Constitution.
Franklin had strong opinions about the need for a general government. He believed that any form of government could be a blessing if well administered. However, he also warned that it could end in despotism if the people became corrupted and incapable of any other form of governance. Franklin's experience with monarchy in Europe influenced his desire to distribute executive power among a small council rather than vest it in a single person. While this proposal was opposed by Hamilton, who favoured a elected monarchy, the delegates reached a compromise by electing a single executive for a limited term.
Franklin acknowledged the imperfections of the Constitution and expressed his doubts about certain provisions. In his farewell speech, he famously stated, "I agree to this constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general government necessary for us…Thus, I consent, sir, to this constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best." He recognised that the document was the product of joint wisdom and inevitable assembly of prejudices, passions, and errors of opinion. Despite his objections, Franklin chose to sign the Constitution, sacrificing his opinions for the public good.
Franklin's signing of the Constitution was a significant act of unity and compromise. He understood the importance of unanimity and encouraged others with objections to set aside their infallibility and join him in signing. The form of the signing, crafted by Gouverneur Morris, allowed delegates to affirm the unanimous approval of the states without explicitly endorsing the Constitution. This compromise was successful in securing the signatures of delegates like Gerry, Mason, and Randolph, who had initially refused to sign due to their strong objections.
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His thoughts on the possibility of a perfect production
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, had a pragmatic view of the Constitution. While he recognised its imperfections, he also understood the necessity of a general government and believed that the Constitution could be well-administered for a course of years.
In his famous speech at the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, Franklin acknowledged that there were aspects of the Constitution that he did not approve of at the time. However, he remained open to the possibility of changing his mind in the future, stating that his life experiences had often led him to change opinions even on important subjects.
Franklin's thoughts on the possibility of a perfect production are reflected in his recognition that any assembly of individuals will inevitably bring together a variety of prejudices, passions, errors of opinion, local interests, and selfish views. He questioned whether a perfect production could be expected from such a gathering. Despite this, he was astonished by how close to perfection the Constitution seemed to be, acknowledging the joint wisdom and diverse opinions that contributed to its creation.
Franklin's pragmatism is further evident in his belief that the Constitution was the best that could be expected at the time, and perhaps the best that could ever be achieved. He understood that a general government was necessary and that any form of government could be a blessing if well-administered. He also recognised that the creation of the Constitution involved navigating complex issues and finding compromises between differing viewpoints.
In conclusion, Benjamin Franklin's thoughts on the possibility of a perfect production were shaped by his realistic understanding of human nature and the challenges inherent in crafting a governing document for a diverse nation. While he acknowledged the imperfections in the Constitution, he also recognised its strengths and the potential for it to be well-administered. Franklin's wisdom and experience contributed significantly to the formation of the Constitution, leaving a lasting impact on the foundations of American democracy.
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Franklin's views on the national executive branch
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, played a significant role in shaping the country's constitution. At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Franklin was 81 years old and in poor health, yet he actively participated in the debates and shared his valuable insights. One of the critical matters he addressed was the role and framework of the national executive branch.
However, Franklin's proposal faced opposition from those who favoured a stronger executive branch. Alexander Hamilton, for instance, argued for a single executive, an "elected monarchy," who would hold office for life. The delegates at the convention ultimately reached a compromise by opting for a single executive, the President of the United States, who would be elected for a term of four years.
Franklin's wisdom and experience were respected by his fellow delegates, and his presence carried significant weight in the proceedings. While he acknowledged that the Constitution had its faults, he ultimately agreed to it, signing it on September 17, 1787. He recognized the importance of unity and compromise in establishing a functional government. In his famous words, "I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered."
In conclusion, Benjamin Franklin's views on the national executive branch reflected his desire for a balanced and democratic system of governance. He sought to prevent the concentration of power and believed in the ability of a collective leadership to make informed and considered decisions. Franklin's influence on the Constitution helped shape the foundations of American democracy and continue to resonate in the country's political system today.
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The Constitution's faults and Franklin's hopes for its administration
Benjamin Franklin, one of the United States' greatest patriots, played a significant role in shaping the nation. Despite his advanced age of 81 and poor health, Franklin was actively involved in the Constitutional Convention, which concluded on September 17, 1787.
While Franklin acknowledged the Constitution's faults, he ultimately agreed to it, signing it with the belief that a general government was necessary for the nation. In his farewell speech, he stated:
> I agree to this constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general government necessary for us…Thus, I consent, sir, to this constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best.
Franklin recognized that the Constitution was not perfect, but he was pragmatic in his assessment, understanding that no form of government is perfect and that any system can be a blessing if well administered. He also acknowledged the diversity of opinions among the delegates, making it challenging to reach a unanimous decision. In his address, he expressed his doubts about the possibility of creating a perfect production from such an assembly:
> From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does...Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best.
Franklin's hopes for the Constitution's administration were optimistic. He believed that it would be well-administered for a course of years. However, he also warned that if the people became corrupted and incapable of self-governance, the system could degenerate into despotism. Franklin's experience and wisdom influenced the convention, and his presence, along with George Washington's presidency, added weight and importance to the gathering.
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Frequently asked questions
Benjamin Franklin was 81 years old when he attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He was revered as one of the nation's greatest patriots and his presence gave weight to the importance of the gathering. Franklin offered sage advice and his thoughts influenced several key aspects of the new constitution.
Benjamin Franklin was pleased with the work of the delegates and, despite its imperfections, he proudly signed the new Constitution. In his farewell speech, he noted that he agreed to the Constitution with all its faults because he thought a general government was necessary. He also said that the system was "approaching so near to perfection" and that he consented to it because he "expected no better".
Benjamin Franklin had several concerns about the US Constitution. He wanted to ensure that the country's executive authority was not entrusted in just one man, as he had seen too much of monarchy. He also acknowledged that there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of, but he was open to changing his mind with better information or fuller consideration.
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