Ben Franklin's Take On The Us Constitution

Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, played a significant role in shaping the country's Constitution. In 1787, at the age of 81, Franklin participated in the Constitutional Convention, where he delivered a notable speech addressing his thoughts on the Constitution. While expressing humility and acknowledging his disagreement with certain parts of the document, Franklin also emphasised the importance of compromise and respect for the judgments of others. He ultimately consented to the Constitution, recognising the diversity of opinions present among the delegates and believing in the necessity of a general government. Franklin's influence extended beyond the Convention, as he also authored quotes in public documents related to the Declaration of Independence and engaged in extensive personal correspondence, including discussions about the Constitution and its ratification.

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Benjamin Franklin's closing remarks at the 1787 convention

On September 17, 1787, 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin delivered his closing remarks at the Constitutional Convention, bringing an end to four months of secret debate and compromise. Franklin, who was President of Pennsylvania and thus the unofficial host of the convention, began his speech on a note of humility, acknowledging that there were aspects of the Constitution with which he disagreed. However, he expressed his willingness to change his opinions in light of better information or fuller consideration, a sentiment that had grown with age. Franklin emphasized the diversity of opinions among the delegates and the difficulty of achieving unanimity. Despite his doubts, he consented to the Constitution, believing that it was the best option available and that a general government was necessary. He appealed for unity, urging delegates with objections to set aside their infallibility and sign the document, affirming their unanimous approval.

Franklin's closing remarks at the 1787 Convention showcased his pragmatism and respect for the judgments of others. He recognized the imperfections of the Constitution but trusted in the potential for good administration. Franklin's speech played a crucial role in securing the signatures of delegates who had initially refused to endorse the document, ensuring its future ratification by the states.

The full text of Franklin's speech, which he was unable to deliver himself due to health issues, provides valuable insight into his thoughts on the Constitution:

> "I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them: For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others. Most men indeed as well as most sects in Religion, think themselves in possession of all truth, and that wherever others differ from them it is so far error...Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best...On the whole, Sir, I cannot help expressing a wish that every member of the Convention, who may still have objections to it, would with me, on this occasion, doubt a little of his own infallibility, and to make manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument."

Franklin's closing remarks at the 1787 Convention were not his final words on the Constitution. In November 1789, he wrote a letter to French scientist Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, expressing his concerns about the French Revolution and providing an update on the major event in the United States—the Constitution's ratification and the establishment of a new government. Franklin's famous quote, "Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes," demonstrates his pragmatic outlook on the young nation's future.

Franklin's opinion on the need for a general government

Benjamin Franklin, in his response to Elizabeth Willing Powel's question, expressed his opinion on the need for a general government. Franklin, eighty-one years old at the time and suffering from gout and kidney stones, began his address with a note of humility. He acknowledged that there were aspects of the Constitution with which he disagreed, but he remained open to changing his mind based on new information or further consideration.

In his speech, Franklin expressed his agreement with the Constitution despite its potential faults. He stated, "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". Franklin's perspective highlights his pragmatism and willingness to compromise. He believed that the effectiveness of a government depended more on its administration than its specific form.

Franklin's support for a general government was also tied to his concerns about the potential for despotism. He argued that a general government could end in despotism, just as other forms of government had in the past. However, he attributed this outcome not to the form of government but to the corruption of the people. Franklin suggested that a despotic government might become necessary if the people became so corrupted that they were incapable of functioning under any other form of government.

His thoughts on the constitution's durability

Benjamin Franklin, an 81-year-old publisher, entrepreneur, and diplomat, was present at the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, where he gave a speech to convince the three delegates—Gerry, Randolph, and Mason—to abandon their refusal to sign the Constitution. Franklin admitted that there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of at the time, but he remained uncertain about his future approval. He acknowledged that his advanced age had made him more doubtful of his judgment and more respectful of others' opinions. Franklin consented to the Constitution despite its flaws, believing that a general government was necessary and could be a blessing if properly administered. He recognized the diversity of opinions among the well-reasoned men in the room, which made finding common ground challenging.

In Franklin's own words:

> "I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them: For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others. Most men indeed as well as most sects in Religion, think themselves in possession of all truth, and that wherever others differ from them it is so far error."

Franklin's thoughts on the Constitution's durability were expressed in a letter to French scientist Jean-Baptiste Le Roy in November 1789, where he wrote:

> "Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes."

This quote highlights Franklin's cautious optimism about the Constitution's longevity. While he believed that the Constitution seemed promising and had the potential to endure, he also acknowledged the uncertainties of the future.

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Franklin's humility and willingness to change his opinions

Benjamin Franklin, an 81-year-old publisher, entrepreneur, and diplomat, was a key figure in the creation and adoption of the US Constitution. Franklin's humility and willingness to change his opinions were evident in his thoughts and actions during the Constitutional Convention.

Franklin began the proceedings with a prepared speech, acknowledging that there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of at the time. However, he expressed openness to changing his opinions with better information or fuller consideration, a sentiment that carried extra weight due to his advanced age and experience. This humility stood in contrast to the strong convictions and infallibility expressed by some of his contemporaries. Franklin's humility extended beyond himself, as he encouraged other members of the Convention with objections to the Constitution to doubt their infallibility and unanimously approve the document.

Franklin's humility and open-mindedness were also reflected in his actions during the Convention. Despite his own reservations about the document, he actively worked to convince delegates who refused to sign the Constitution to abandon their opposition. He even gave a second speech personally begging Randolph, one of the delegates, to sign, demonstrating his commitment to finding common ground and building consensus.

Franklin's humility and open-mindedness had a lasting impact on the adoption of the Constitution. By expressing his own doubts and encouraging others to consider multiple perspectives, he helped foster an environment of collaboration and compromise. This environment was crucial in securing the unanimous approval of the states present at the Convention, even if some delegates continued to have personal objections. Franklin's actions and words during this pivotal moment in US history exemplify his humility and willingness to change his opinions for the betterment of the nation.

The form and significance of signatures on the Constitution

The signatures on the United States Constitution are of 39 delegates, representing 12 states (all except Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates). The signatures were obtained on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and endorsed the Constitution that was created during the four-month-long convention. The signatures were not just an endorsement of the final document but also served as a closing protocol. This included a declaration that the delegates' work had been completed and that those signing the document agreed with its contents.

The signatures were obtained in a specific order. George Washington, as president of the Convention, signed first, followed by the other delegates, grouped by states in progression from north to south. When the first column of signatures ran out of space, a second column was started to the left. Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, was the youngest to sign the Constitution, while Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest. Franklin was also the first signer to pass away, in April 1790.

The form of the signatures was carefully considered. Benjamin Franklin proposed that the signing be done in the form: "Done in Convention by the unanimous consent of the States present, the seventeenth of September, &c." This form was designed by Gouverneur Morris and given to Franklin so that Franklin's prestige would lend it credibility. The wording of the form did not explicitly state that the signer endorses the Constitution. Instead, it meant that the signer is affirming that the states present in the Convention unanimously approved of the Constitution. The idea was to get the dissenting delegates, Gerry, Mason, and Randolph, to sign by making their personal objections irrelevant to their signatures.

The signatures on the Constitution were significant as they symbolised the unanimous support of the delegations from each state. The ambiguous form of the signatures was a result of political manoeuvring to win support for the Constitution during ratification. This helped to secure support by highlighting pro-Constitution points that would resonate with the ratifying public and limiting the ability of the signers to retract their support once ratification battles began.

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