Malcolm Rivera
On September 17, 1787, 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, in his longest speech at the Convention, expressed his opinion on the newly drafted Constitution. Franklin, who was in poor health, noted that while there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of, he was open to changing his opinion with better information and fuller consideration. He agreed to the Constitution despite its faults, believing that a general government was necessary and that the Constitution was likely to be well-administered for a course of years. Franklin's wisdom and integrity, as demonstrated in his speech, played a crucial role in shaping the nation and influencing the adoption of the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age | 81 years old |
| Health | Poor, afflicted with gout and kidney stones |
| Opinion of the Constitution | Approves of the Constitution despite its faults |
| Opinion of Government | Believes a general government is necessary |
| Opinion of the Convention | Did not expect a perfect production from the Convention |
| Opinion of the Future | Hopeful for America's future |
| Opinion of Warfare | Believes there is no such thing as a good war or a bad peace |
| Actions After the Convention | Busy receiving dignitaries and wrapping up loose ends from his diplomatic mission |
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What You'll Learn
Benjamin Franklin's final quote on the Constitution
On September 17, 1787, an eighty-one-year-old Benjamin Franklin, in his longest speech of the convention, expressed his opinion on the Constitution. Franklin was in poor health, suffering from gout and kidney stones, but he still managed to deliver a powerful and influential message.
Franklin began his speech by acknowledging that there were aspects of the Constitution with which he disagreed:
> "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."
Despite his initial disagreements, Franklin ultimately agreed to the Constitution, recognising the importance of a general government and the potential for it to be a blessing to the people if well administered. He also acknowledged the challenges of assembling a perfect production from a group of men with diverse perspectives and interests.
Franklin's final quote on the Constitution reflected his pragmatism and hope for the future:
> "Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best. The opinions I have had of its errors, I sacrifice to the public good. I have never whispered a syllable of them abroad. Within these walls they were born, and here they shall die."
Franklin's words emphasised his belief in the potential for the Constitution to be well administered and his willingness to set aside personal objections for the greater good. He concluded by expressing his wish for unanimity among the members of the Convention, hoping that they would set aside their infallibility and work together for the benefit of the nation.
In November 1789, Franklin wrote a letter to the French scientist Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, reflecting on the Constitution's ratification and the establishment of a new government: "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, known as the "death and taxes" proverb, became a staple in American popular culture.
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Franklin's thoughts on the necessity of a general government
In 1787, Benjamin Franklin, at 81 years old, gave a speech at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. In his speech, Franklin expressed his thoughts on the necessity of a general government, acknowledging his doubts about certain parts of the Constitution but ultimately agreeing to it.
Franklin began his speech by acknowledging that while there were aspects of the Constitution with which he disagreed, he remained open to changing his mind:
> "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."
He went on to emphasize the importance of humility and respecting the judgments of others, recognizing that no individual or group can claim to possess all truth. Franklin's words highlighted the complexities of decision-making in a diverse society, where various prejudices, passions, and interests come into play.
Franklin then expressed his support for a general government, acknowledging its necessity for the nation:
> "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."
He believed that the effectiveness of any government depended on the public's perception of its goodness and the integrity of its leaders. Franklin hoped that the Constitution would be well-administered and bring happiness to the people. He also acknowledged the possibility of it ending in despotism if the people became corrupted and incapable of any other form of government.
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Franklin's opinion on the likelihood of despotism
In his longest speech at the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, Benjamin Franklin, an 81-year-old man in poor health, expressed his opinion on the likelihood of despotism under the newly proposed Constitution. While Franklin acknowledged that there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of, he also recognized the possibility that his opinions could change with better information or fuller consideration. He respected the judgment of others and believed that no individual or group possessed absolute truth.
Franklin agreed to the Constitution despite its faults because he believed in the necessity of a general government. He thought that any form of government could be a blessing to the people if well administered. However, he also acknowledged the possibility of the government descending into despotism, as had happened with other forms of government throughout history. Franklin attributed this potential outcome to the corruption of the people, suggesting that a despotic government might become necessary if the people themselves became corrupted and incapable of functioning under any other form of government.
Franklin's perspective on the likelihood of despotism under the Constitution was shaped by his understanding of human nature and the inherent limitations of any governmental system. He recognized that even the best form of government could fail if those administering it were not wise and virtuous. Franklin's concerns about the potential for despotism underscored the importance he placed on the integrity and competence of those tasked with governing.
Furthermore, Franklin emphasized the role of public opinion in shaping the effectiveness of the government. He believed that the strength and efficiency of the government in securing the happiness of the people depended on the general opinion of the government's goodness and the wisdom and integrity of its leaders. Franklin hoped that the Founding Fathers would act unanimously in recommending the Constitution and focus their efforts on ensuring its effective administration.
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Franklin's views on the joint wisdom of men
In 1787, an eighty-one-year-old Benjamin Franklin, in his longest speech at the convention, expressed his views on the joint wisdom of men. He acknowledged the imperfections of the Constitution, stating that there were parts he did not approve of at present. However, Franklin's perspective on the matter was shaped by his life experiences, which taught him the importance of remaining open-minded and respecting the judgments of others. He recognized that people's opinions and beliefs could change over time as they acquired better information or considered things more thoroughly.
Franklin's speech highlighted the challenges inherent in assembling a group of individuals with diverse prejudices, passions, errors of opinion, local interests, and selfish views. He questioned whether a perfect outcome could be expected from such a gathering. Despite these concerns, Franklin was astonished that the Constitution approached so near to perfection. He believed that a general government was necessary and that any form of government could be a blessing if well administered.
Franklin's wisdom and humility shone through as he expressed his willingness to set aside his personal objections for the greater good. He understood that publicly voicing his criticisms could hinder the Constitution's acceptance and potentially harm the nation's reputation among foreign nations. Instead, he chose to sacrifice his opinions for unity and the betterment of the country.
Franklin's address emphasized the significance of unanimity and the need for members with objections to doubt their infallibility and work towards a unified front. He recognized that the strength and efficiency of a government depend on the public's opinion of its goodness and the wisdom and integrity of its leaders. Franklin's closing remarks at the convention reflected his pragmatic approach, acknowledging the Constitution's faults while recognizing the necessity of a general government.
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Franklin's relief at the end of the American Revolution
Benjamin Franklin was relieved that the American Revolution had ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783. He was optimistic about America's future, with its boundless resources, but he was still worried about the terrible cost of the war in terms of lives and property. In a letter to his friend Jonathan Shipley, Franklin expressed his disillusionment with warfare, stating that he believed there had never been nor ever would be such a thing as a good war or a bad peace.
Franklin returned to Philadelphia in September 1785, recalled by Congress and revered as one of the nation's greatest patriots. Despite his age and poor health, Franklin continued to work tirelessly, receiving dignitaries and tying up loose ends from his eight-year diplomatic mission. He also played a crucial role in shaping the nation's future by participating in the Constitutional Convention, which began in May 1787.
During the Constitutional Convention, Franklin offered his wisdom and experience to the debates, despite being in his eighties and in poor health. He gave a lengthy speech, which was formally addressed to George Washington, the Convention's president, and aimed to convince three delegates who opposed signing the Constitution to abandon their opposition. Franklin acknowledged that there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of, but he respected the judgment of others and was open to changing his opinions based on better information or fuller consideration. He agreed to the Constitution because he believed a general government was necessary and that it could be a blessing if well-administered.
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Frequently asked questions
In his longest speech at the convention, Franklin expressed that while there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of, he was open to changing his mind with better information and fuller consideration. He agreed to the Constitution with all its faults because he believed a general government was necessary and that it was likely to be well-administered for a course of years.
Franklin gave this speech on September 17, 1787, at the age of 81. It was his farewell speech at the convention, and he hoped for a well-deserved rest after his diplomatic mission. The speech was addressed to George Washington, the convention's president, and aimed to convince three delegates to abandon their opposition to signing the Constitution.
Benjamin Franklin acknowledged that the Constitution had faults and that he had his own opinions of its errors. However, he kept these opinions private and did not share them with his constituents, sacrificing them for the public good.
Benjamin Franklin recognized the importance of a general government and believed that the strength and efficiency of the government depended on the public's opinion of its goodness and the integrity of its governors. He hoped that the Constitution would be well-administered and unanimously recommended by the Convention members.
