Simone Lawson
On September 17, 1787, an 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, one of America's Founding Fathers, delivered an emotional closing speech at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Franklin, who had already accomplished many notable achievements, including the publication of the famous political cartoon Join, or Die, and serving as the editor of the Declaration of Independence, was now signing the Constitution that would establish the United States government. Franklin's speech, which closed the convention, reflected on the challenges of the past four months and the difficult task of convincing the American people to embrace the new form of government. He also shared his personal observations about the chair that Washington had been sitting in during the Convention, noting the emblem of half of a sun, which he interpreted as a rising sun, symbolizing a new beginning for the nation.
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What You'll Learn
Benjamin Franklin's role in the creation of the Declaration of Independence
Benjamin Franklin played a crucial role in the creation of the Declaration of Independence. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1706, Franklin was independently wealthy and retired by 1775, when he was elected to the Continental Congress.
In 1776, Franklin was appointed to a group tasked with creating the Declaration of Independence. This so-called Committee of Five included John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and the primary author of the document, Thomas Jefferson. Franklin's role was primarily that of an editor, and his changes to Jefferson's original text are believed to have been minimal. However, when the document went before the entire Continental Congress, it was more thoroughly changed by the larger body.
Franklin's international experience meant that he was chosen by the Continental Congress as one of its first ministers to France. He was also the United States' first Postmaster General, a treaty agent, and a signer of the peace with Great Britain.
In addition to signing the Declaration of Independence, Franklin also signed the Treaty of Paris, which ended the American Revolution, and the Constitution, which established the United States government.
Franklin was also an abolitionist and a social activist who advocated for the protection of the rights of American aboriginal peoples. He was a prolific writer and publisher, and he owned the Pennsylvania Gazette, a Philadelphia-based newspaper in which he published the political cartoon "Join, or Die" in 1754. This cartoon, which is usually attributed to Franklin himself, was originally designed to rally the American colonies behind the British cause in the French and Indian War (1754-1763).
On September 17, 1787, an 81-year-old Franklin closed the Constitutional Convention with these words: "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 motion related to the form of the signing passed 10-1, and the delegates then proceeded to sign the engrossed copy of the United States Constitution.
Franklin's role in the creation of the Declaration of Independence was just one aspect of his remarkable life, which may be, as one source states, "the most profound statement of what an American strives to be."
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The significance of the signing of the Constitution
The signing of the Constitution was a significant event in the history of the United States, marking the culmination of months of secret debates and compromises among the Founding Fathers. The Constitution established the US government as we know it today and was the result of the efforts of a group of men, including an 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who worked tirelessly in a stifling hot room in Philadelphia to develop a framework for governing the newly independent states of America.
The signing of the Constitution also held symbolic value. Benjamin Franklin, in a personal observation during the signing, noted the emblem of half a sun on the chair that George Washington had been sitting in during the Convention. Franklin's interpretation of the emblem as a rising sun symbolised the optimism and hope for the future of the nation. This interpretation added a layer of significance to the signing, suggesting that the Constitution represented a new beginning and the potential for growth and progress.
Additionally, the signing of the Constitution demonstrated the commitment of the Founding Fathers to creating a general government that they believed was necessary for the country. They recognised that the form of government was not as important as its effective administration. By signing the Constitution, they laid the foundation for a governing structure that could adapt and evolve over time.
Overall, the signing of the Constitution was a pivotal moment in American history, marking the establishment of a new government, the resolution of contentious debates, and the unity of the states. It set the foundation for the nation's future growth and the development of its democratic processes.
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The challenges of establishing a new government
The first challenge was assembling a group of men with the task of creating a new government from scratch. As Franklin himself noted, when a group of men come together to create something, they bring with them their prejudices, passions, errors of opinion, local interests, and selfish views. The question of how to form a government that would serve the interests of the people, rather than the interests of a few, was a significant hurdle to overcome.
The second challenge was the sheer number of contentious issues that needed to be addressed and resolved. There were strong disagreements on issues such as the number of Representatives in the House, how treaties should be signed, and how infrastructure should be built. One of the most significant points of contention was the absence of a Bill of Rights in the original Constitution, which caused some delegates, such as Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry, to refuse to sign. Another issue that was barely addressed was slavery, despite 18% of the population being in bondage at the time.
The third challenge was the need to compromise. Many of the delegates had strong and differing opinions, and finding common ground was not always easy. Some, like Randolph, believed that the Constitution should be presented to the American people with the option to amend it, rather than just accept or reject it in its entirety. Others, like Franklin, believed that a general government was necessary and that the Constitution was the best that could be hoped for at the time.
The final challenge was gaining acceptance and ratification from the states. The Constitution would only go into effect when nine of the thirteen states chose to ratify it, and so the real difficulty lay in convincing the American people to embrace the new government. The delegates knew that their work might be in vain if the states did not get on board, and this added a layer of pressure to the entire process.
In the end, thirty-eight men signed thirty-nine names to the engrossed copy of the United States Constitution, including Benjamin Franklin. Despite the challenges, they had succeeded in establishing a new government, and Franklin's famous words about the rising sun captured the hope and uncertainty of the moment.
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The impact of personal beliefs on Franklin's decision to sign
Benjamin Franklin's personal beliefs had a significant impact on his decision to sign the United States Constitution. Franklin, an 81-year-old at the time, is recorded to have had several notable opinions and concerns regarding the Constitution and the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention.
Firstly, Franklin recognised the inherent challenges in assembling a group of men to create a perfect constitution. In his address, he acknowledged that any assembly of individuals would bring their own prejudices, passions, errors in opinion, local interests, and selfish views. Despite these imperfections, Franklin expressed his consent to the Constitution, acknowledging that it might be the best possible outcome and that he did not expect a better alternative.
Franklin also emphasised the necessity of a general government for the newly independent states of America. He believed that any form of government could be a blessing to the people if it was well-administered. However, he also cautioned that it could end in despotism if the people became corrupted and incapable of any other form of governance.
Additionally, Franklin is recorded to have made a symbolic observation about the chair that George Washington sat in during the Convention. The chair had an emblem of half of a sun, which Franklin used as a metaphor for the uncertain outcome of the Convention. He noted that he had often looked at the sun, unsure if it was rising or setting, but he was now happy to know that it was a rising sun, signifying a positive outcome.
Franklin's personal beliefs and sentiments influenced his decision to sign the Constitution. He recognised the imperfections and challenges inherent in any governmental system but ultimately consented to the Constitution, believing it to be the best option for the newly independent states. Franklin's closing speech at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 captures his complex thoughts on the matter.
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The potential consequences of a lack of unanimity
Benjamin Franklin, at 81 years old, closed the 1787 convention with a speech that is thought to be the reason for his tears when signing the Constitution. In his speech, Franklin stated that he doubted that any other convention could make a better constitution. He acknowledged the challenges of assembling a group of men with diverse perspectives and biases and yet expressed astonishment at how close to perfection the final document was. Franklin also noted the potential consequences of a lack of unanimity, suggesting that their "councils are confounded" and that their "states are on the point of separation". He emphasized the importance of unity and avoiding separation, alluding to the potential for civil strife and conflict if the states were to fragment.
Franklin's proposed form for the signatures also caused some debate. While some, like Randolph, refused to sign at all, others signed with varying intentions. Blount of North Carolina, for example, signed to attest to the Convention's unanimity rather than to express support for the Constitution. Pinckney of South Carolina wanted the form to be more emphatically supportive, while Ingersoll of Pennsylvania took a middle position, signing neither in support nor as a mere attestation of unanimity.
The lack of unanimity among the Founding Fathers and the states they represented had significant potential consequences. Firstly, it could have delayed or even prevented the Constitution from taking effect. The Constitution required ratification by nine of the thirteen states to come into effect, and without unanimity, achieving this threshold may have been more difficult. Secondly, the lack of unanimity could have led to further division and fragmentation among the states. Each state had its own interests and perspectives, and without a unified agreement on the Constitution, the potential for conflict and separation increased.
Additionally, the lack of unanimity could have undermined the legitimacy and stability of the new government. With some states refusing to sign and others signing with varying levels of support, the government established by the Constitution may have faced challenges in governing effectively. This could have led to a weaker federal government and a more fragmented nation. Finally, the lack of unanimity could have had long-term consequences for the development of the United States. The issues that were contentious during the Constitutional Convention, such as slavery and representation, continued to shape the country's history, and the lack of consensus on these issues contributed to future conflicts and struggles.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no evidence to suggest that Benjamin Franklin cried when he signed the Constitution. However, he did give a speech in which he expressed his doubts and hopes for the future of the country.
Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers who participated in the Constitutional Convention of 1787. He was 81 years old at the time and played a significant role in shaping the document.
Benjamin Franklin had mixed feelings about the Constitution. He recognised its imperfections but ultimately supported it because he believed a general government was necessary for the newly independent states of America. He also acknowledged the challenges of creating a perfect document with a group of individuals with their own prejudices and interests.
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