Ben Franklin's Voice: Constitution's Soul

Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father of the United States, was a key figure in the creation of the U.S. Constitution. At 81, Franklin was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the document that would become the foundation of the new nation. Franklin, a renowned publisher, entrepreneur, and diplomat, is known for his influential speeches and quotes, including his famous last words on the Constitution, acknowledging its faults but conceding to it nonetheless.

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The 'Great Compromise'

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. At 81, Franklin was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and his conciliatory voice was instrumental in forging the landmark "Great Compromise."

The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was a pivotal agreement reached by the framers of the U.S. Constitution during the sweltering summer of 1787. The issue of representation threatened to derail the convention, with delegates from large states arguing for proportional representation in both the Senate and the House, while small-state delegates demanded equal representation in both chambers.

Benjamin Franklin, recognizing the need for compromise, agreed with Roger Sherman's proposal that each state should have an equal vote in the Senate on all matters except those involving money. This proposal, however, was not adopted as the final solution. Over the Fourth of July holiday, the delegates crafted a compromise plan that set aside Franklin's proposal.

On July 16, 1787, the convention narrowly adopted the Great Compromise, which provided a dual system of congressional representation. In the House of Representatives, each state would be assigned a number of seats proportional to its population, while in the Senate, all states would have the same number of seats, ensuring equal representation. This compromise averted a potential collapse of the convention and laid the foundation for the U.S. Senate as we know it today.

At the end of the Constitutional Convention, Franklin delivered a persuasive speech, urging delegates to accept the document as the best collective effort. Franklin, who viewed the new federal government as an experiment to be refined by future generations, signed the Constitution, expressing optimism and belief in the durability of the new government. Franklin's role in the Great Compromise and his support for the Constitution exemplified his commitment to finding common ground and shaping the principles of the emerging nation.

Freedom of the press

Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father of the United States, was a strong advocate for freedom of the press, even before the First Amendment was established. Franklin's support for freedom of the press is evident throughout his life, including his early career as an apprentice to his brother James, who published the Colonies' first independent newspaper, the New England Courant.

Franklin's belief in the importance of a free press was likely influenced by his own experiences as a publisher and entrepreneur. He contributed to and published various written works throughout his life, including his newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette, and Poor Richard's Almanack, a publication he wrote for 25 years under the pseudonym "Richard Saunders." Franklin's writings in these publications, often in the form of proverbs, offered insights and wisdom that resonated with the public, making him one of the most-quoted public figures of his generation.

In addition to his own publications, Franklin played a significant role in shaping the U.S. Constitution and the vision for the new nation. As the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Franklin's conciliatory voice contributed to the "Great Compromise," which balanced representation in the House and the Senate to address the concerns of both large and small states.

While Franklin acknowledged that the Constitution had its faults and aspects he did not approve of, he ultimately consented to it, recognizing the necessity of a general government and believing it to be the best option available. In his famous quote, Franklin accepted the imperfections, stating, "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."

Franklin's support for freedom of the press extended beyond his personal beliefs and was a lifelong commitment. Even in his later years, Franklin remained engaged in public affairs and corresponded with international figures, such as French scientist Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, to whom he wrote about the ratification of the Constitution and the establishment of a new government in the United States. Franklin's contributions to the foundation of American democracy and his advocacy for freedoms like freedom of the press continue to be a distinguished part of his legacy.

Slavery

Benjamin Franklin's views on slavery evolved over his lifetime. In his early years, he owned slaves, carried advertisements for the sale of slaves in his newspaper, and benefited financially from the slave trade. However, by the 1750s and 1760s, his views began to change, and he started arguing against slavery and promoting the education and integration of African Americans into U.S. society. He also published Quaker pamphlets and advertisements against slavery and condemned the practice in his private correspondence.

In 1787, Franklin became the President of the Philadelphia Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, also known as the Abolition Society, which was formed by a group of Quaker abolitionists. He signed a public anti-slavery appeal, stating that "the Creator of the world had made 'of one flesh, all the children of men,',". In the same year, he wrote a famous public address condemning slavery and urging Congress to act. He also enclosed a copy of the new federal constitution with a letter to Thomas Jefferson, the American minister to France.

Franklin's last public act was to send a petition to Congress on behalf of the Society for the Abolition of Slavery, asking for the abolition of slavery and an end to the slave trade. The petition, signed on February 3, 1790, called on Congress to "devise means for removing the Inconsistency from the Character of the American People" and to "promote mercy and justice toward this distressed Race." Unfortunately, the petition sparked heated debates in both the House and the Senate, and no action was taken.

Franklin's writings and actions as an abolitionist were significant, but they also highlighted the complexities and contradictions of the time regarding race and slavery in America. His early involvement in the slave trade and his changing views later in life reflect the evolving social and political landscape of the nation.

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Signing the Constitution

On September 17, 1787, Benjamin Franklin, at the age of 81, gave a speech to close the Constitutional Convention. Franklin, who was in poor health, was unable to deliver the speech himself and delegated the task to Wilson (PA). The address was formally directed at George Washington, the Convention's president, but its actual purpose was to persuade the three delegates—Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry—who had refused to sign the Constitution to abandon their resistance.

Franklin's speech acknowledged the diversity of opinions among the delegates and the challenges of reaching a consensus. He humbly admitted that while there were aspects of the Constitution that he did not approve of at the time, his views could change with better information or fuller consideration. Franklin's conciliatory tone reflected his belief that the Constitution was a collective effort and that no single individual could create a perfect document. He expressed his support for the Constitution, recognizing its potential blessings for the people and his expectation that it would be well-administered.

Franklin's address played a crucial role in influencing the delegates' decision to sign the Constitution. He urged them to set aside their personal objections and focus on the greater good. Franklin proposed a signing form created by Gouverneur Morris (PA), which emphasized that the signer was affirming the states' unanimous approval of the Constitution rather than personally endorsing it. This strategy aimed to make the reluctant delegates' individual objections irrelevant to their signatures.

Franklin further emphasized the importance of unanimity in the signing process, stating: "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 influential speech, combined with the strategic signing form, successfully persuaded the reluctant delegates to sign the Constitution, marking a significant step toward the establishment of the United States government.

The 'death and taxes' quote

Benjamin Franklin, a printer, inventor, scientist, and statesman, played an influential role in the Revolutionary War era and the fight for American independence. He was also a key figure in shaping the U.S. Constitution and the vision for the new nation. Franklin was the oldest signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, bringing seasoned intellect, insight, and patriotism to the creation of these documents.

One of Franklin's most famous quotes, which has become a staple in American popular culture, is the "death and taxes" proverb. In November 1789, Franklin wrote a letter in French to the scientist Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, expressing concern as he had not heard from Le Roy since the start of the French Revolution. The letter was later translated for the 1817 printing of his private correspondence. In the letter, Franklin inquired about Le Roy's health and the events in Paris over the past year. He then provided an update on the major event in the United States: the Constitution's ratification a year earlier and the formation of a new government under it.

Franklin's exact words were, "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 became famous in future centuries, and while Franklin was not the first to express this sentiment, his usage is considered the most renowned, especially in the United States. Earlier versions of this idea appeared in the 18th century, including in Daniel Defoe's "The Political History of the Devil" (1726) and Christopher Bullock's play, "The Cobbler of Preston" (1716).

Franklin's "death and taxes" quote has endured in American popular culture and is often used in various contexts, such as promoting life insurance and tax-filing deadlines. It is a reminder of the inevitability of death and the certainty of taxes, and it showcases Franklin's wit and wisdom in expressing the uncertainties of the world.

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