Eleanor Finch
While Benjamin Franklin was relieved that the American Revolution had come to an end, he was still worried about the future of the United States. In 1787, Franklin, at 81 years old, gave a speech at the Constitutional Convention, where he addressed the parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of. He noted that there were several parts of the Constitution that he did not presently approve of, but he was open to changing his mind with better information and fuller consideration. Franklin also expressed doubt that any other convention could create a better Constitution, and ultimately, he agreed to the Constitution despite its faults.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Absence of a Bill of Rights | Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry refused to sign |
| Contentious issues like slavery were glossed over | 18% of the population was in bondage at the time |
| Determining the number of Representatives in the House | N/A |
| Signing of treaties | N/A |
| Building roads | N/A |
| Digging canals | N/A |
| Weighing tariffs | N/A |
| Benjamin Franklin's advanced age and health issues | He was 81 years old and had gout and kidney stones |
| Franklin's opinion on the likelihood of creating a perfect document | "From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected?" |
| Franklin's opinion on the government form | "there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered" |
| Franklin's opinion on the possibility of a better Constitution | "I am not sure, that it is not the best" |
| Franklin's opinion on the government ending in despotism | "can only end in Despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic Government, being incapable of any other" |
| Franklin's opinion on the unanimity of the Convention | "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" |
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What You'll Learn
- Benjamin Franklin had concerns about the Constitution but ultimately agreed to it
- He thought it was imperfect but hoped it would improve with time
- Franklin believed a general government was necessary for the US
- He thought the Constitution was better than what could be expected from a group of men
- Franklin did not believe the Constitution implied he supported it
Benjamin Franklin had concerns about the Constitution but ultimately agreed to it
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, played a significant role in the creation of the US Constitution. Despite his influential participation, Franklin had his reservations about the Constitution. However, he ultimately agreed to it, recognising the necessity of a general government and the challenges inherent in crafting a perfect document.
Franklin, an esteemed figure in American politics and statecraft, returned to America from France in 1785 and was actively involved in the Constitutional Convention. At 81 years old, Franklin gave a speech addressing the delegates who refused to sign the Constitution due to their objections. He acknowledged that there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of, but he remained open to changing his opinions based on better information or fuller consideration.
Franklin's concerns about the Constitution were not explicitly stated, but they may have included issues such as the absence of a Bill of Rights, the lack of direct address of slavery, and disagreements over the determination of the number of Representatives in the House, among other contentious topics. Franklin recognised the diversity of opinions among the men in the assembly and the challenges in achieving unanimity.
Despite his misgivings, Franklin ultimately agreed to the Constitution, acknowledging its near-perfect approach. He understood the importance of a general government and believed that the Constitution could be a blessing to the people if well administered. Franklin also recognised the limitations of expecting a perfect production from a group of individuals with diverse prejudices, passions, and interests. He sacrificed his opinions for the greater good, hoping for a unanimous endorsement of the Constitution.
In his farewell speech at the convention, Franklin 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." Franklin's pragmatism and willingness to compromise played a pivotal role in the adoption of the US Constitution, a document that continues to shape the nation's governance.
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He thought it was imperfect but hoped it would improve with time
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, played a significant role in shaping the country's early history. Despite his influential role, Franklin had a nuanced view of the Constitution, recognising its imperfections but ultimately consenting to it. In his farewell speech at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Franklin, at 81 years old, acknowledged that there were aspects of the Constitution that he did not approve of. He stated, "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". Franklin's humility and open-mindedness shine through in this statement, as he acknowledges that his opinions may evolve with "better information or fuller consideration".
Franklin's concerns about the Constitution were not without merit. He recognised the challenges inherent in assembling a group of men with diverse opinions and prejudices and questioned whether a perfect production could be expected from such a gathering. However, he was also pragmatic, noting that a general government was necessary and that the Constitution, despite its faults, was likely the best option available. In his speech, he expressed his hope that the government formed under the Constitution would be well-administered for a course of years.
Franklin's pragmatism and willingness to compromise are further highlighted in his efforts to convince three delegates—Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry—to sign the Constitution despite their initial refusal. Franklin understood the importance of unanimity in the Convention's decision-making process. He urged those with objections to doubt their infallibility and set aside their personal objections for the greater good. Franklin even proposed a signing format that would affirm the unanimous approval of the states present without explicitly indicating individual support for the Constitution.
While Franklin may have had misgivings about certain aspects of the Constitution, he ultimately recognised the importance of moving forward. In a letter to his friend Jonathan Shipley, Franklin expressed his hope for America's future, stating, "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." Benjamin Franklin's legacy lies not only in his contributions to science and diplomacy but also in his pragmatic approach to nation-building, acknowledging imperfections but striving for improvement over time.
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Franklin believed a general government was necessary for the US
Benjamin Franklin was a key figure in the creation of the US Constitution. At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Franklin was 81 years old and in poor health, yet he played a pivotal role in convincing delegates to sign the document. While Franklin acknowledged that the Constitution had its faults, he believed that a general government was necessary for the United States. In his famous farewell speech at the convention, Franklin expressed his support for the Constitution, 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 recognized that the creation of a perfect constitution was unlikely, given the diverse opinions and interests of the delegates. He understood that finding common ground among the delegates was challenging. Despite his misgivings about certain parts of the Constitution, Franklin ultimately prioritized the need for a unified government over his personal objections. He believed that a general government could be a blessing to the people if well administered. In his speech, he acknowledged the near-perfection of the Constitution, stating:
> "It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does; and I think it will astonish our enemies, who are waiting with confidence to hear that our councils are confounded like those of the Builders of Babel..."
Franklin's pragmatism and willingness to compromise were crucial in securing the support of other delegates. He urged those with objections to set aside their personal differences for the greater good. Franklin's influence at the Constitutional Convention demonstrates his commitment to establishing a strong and unified government for the newly independent nation. He recognized the importance of presenting a united front to the world and ensuring the success and durability of the new government under the Constitution.
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He thought the Constitution was better than what could be expected from a group of men
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, played a significant role in the creation of the US Constitution. In his old age, Franklin was recalled to America by Congress in 1785 and continued to serve the nation with his wisdom and experience.
Franklin was present at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where he addressed the contentious issues that divided the delegates. Notably, Franklin aimed to convince three delegates—Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry—to abandon their refusal to sign the Constitution due to the absence of a Bill of Rights.
Despite his reservations about certain parts of the Constitution, Franklin ultimately agreed to it, acknowledging its imperfections but recognising the necessity of a general government. In his farewell speech at the convention, Franklin expressed his thoughts:
> "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 pragmatism and willingness to compromise shone through in his address. He recognised that assembling a group of men with diverse opinions and prejudices would inevitably result in an imperfect production. However, he was astonished by how close to perfection the Constitution had turned out to be. Franklin's wisdom and humility were evident as he sacrificed his opinions for the greater good, understanding that perfection was unattainable and that the Constitution was the best they could hope for at the time.
In conclusion, Benjamin Franklin's thoughts on the Constitution reflected his practical nature and deep understanding of governance. He acknowledged the Constitution's faults but consented to it because he believed it was the best option available, and perhaps better than what could be expected from a group of men with differing views. His support for the Constitution, despite his initial hesitations, demonstrated his commitment to unity and the future of the nation.
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Franklin did not believe the Constitution implied he supported it
Benjamin Franklin was a member of the Philadelphia City Council and played an active role in American politics and statecraft for over four decades. He was also a publisher, entrepreneur, and diplomat, known for his sayings or "proverbs" that appeared in his newspaper and almanac.
Franklin is recorded as having had several opinions on the Constitution. In his farewell speech at the convention, Franklin noted:
> "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."
However, Franklin also acknowledged that there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of. In his address to the convention, he stated:
> "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."
Despite his reservations, Franklin ultimately chose to support the Constitution. He recognized the importance of a unified government and believed that the document could be improved upon over time. In his words:
> "I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution. For when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected?"
Franklin's decision to support the Constitution despite his concerns highlights his pragmatism and willingness to compromise for the greater good. He understood that perfection was unattainable and that the document could be refined and amended as society progressed.
Therefore, while Franklin may have had misgivings about certain aspects of the Constitution, he did not let those differences imply his overall opposition to it. He recognized the necessity of a unified government and worked towards ensuring its success, even if it meant setting aside his personal beliefs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Benjamin Franklin signed the Constitution, despite having reservations about it.
Benjamin Franklin believed that the Constitution was not perfect and had faults. He acknowledged that there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of, but he was open to changing his opinion with better information and fuller consideration.
Benjamin Franklin recognised that the Constitution was the result of a diverse assembly with well-reasoned but differing opinions. He doubted that any other convention could create a better Constitution and ultimately consented to it, sacrificing his opinions for the public good.
Yes, Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry refused to sign the Constitution because it lacked a Bill of Rights.
