Franklin's Plea: Support Constitution, Secure Our Future

On September 17, 1787, Benjamin Franklin, in his longest speech at the Convention, urged the delegates to support the Constitution. Franklin, who was in poor health at the time, believed that the Constitution was 'near to perfection'. While he acknowledged that there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of, he argued that it was the best document that could be produced and that no other convention would create a better one. Franklin's reputation as a scientist and statesman lent credibility to his argument, and his speech was reprinted in newspapers across the country.

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Franklin believed the Constitution was near to perfection

On September 17, 1787, Benjamin Franklin, in his longest speech of the Convention, expressed his belief that the Constitution was "near to perfection". Despite his advanced age of 81 and painful afflictions with gout and kidney stones, Franklin's speech aimed to convince the three delegates who refused to sign the Constitution—Gerry (MA), Randolph (VA), and Mason (VA)—to set aside their opposition.

Franklin acknowledged that while there were aspects of the Constitution that he did not approve of, he remained open to changing his opinions based on better information or fuller consideration. He consented to the Constitution, sacrificing his opinions for the public good. Franklin's wisdom and experience shone through as he recognized that no other convention would create a better document. He understood the importance of unity and compromise, valuing the collective wisdom of the Convention over individual concerns.

In his speech, Franklin also referenced the story of the Builders of Babel, 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; and that our States are on the point of separation, only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting one another’s throats. 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 belief in the Constitution's near perfection was grounded in his recognition that a perfect system was unattainable, and his willingness to set aside personal objections for the greater good. His reputation as a scientist and statesman lent significant credibility to the Convention, and his support for the Constitution carried considerable weight.

He thought it would impress the nation's enemies and prevent infighting

Benjamin Franklin was a well-known figure in America, and his reputation as a scientist and statesman brought credibility to the Constitutional Convention. In his longest speech at the Convention, Franklin expressed his belief that the Constitution was "near to perfection", and he encouraged all delegates to sign it.

Franklin's advanced age and poor health did not deter him from actively participating in the Convention. In his closing speech on September 17, 1787, Franklin addressed his support for the Constitution, 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 humility and openness to changing his opinions over time helped to persuade delegates who had refused to sign the Constitution due to their own objections. Notably, Franklin believed that the Constitution, despite its imperfections, was the best document that could be produced, and that no other convention could create a better one.

Franklin also thought that the Constitution would impress the nation's enemies and prevent infighting. He stated:

> "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...and that our States are on the point of separation, only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting one another’s throats. 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 strategic thinking considered the potential impact of the Constitution on foreign relations and the unity of the States. By signing the Constitution, he believed they could project an image of unity and strength that would impress their enemies and prevent internal strife.

He wanted to prevent partisan divisions that would hinder its reception

Benjamin Franklin, in his longest speech at the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, expressed his support for the Constitution and urged the delegates to sign it. While he acknowledged that the Constitution was not perfect and had certain parts that he did not approve of, he believed that it was "'near to perfection'" and that no other convention would create a better document.

Franklin's primary concern was to prevent partisan divisions that would hinder the Constitution's reception among the American people. In his speech, he stated, "If every one of us in returning to our Constituents were to report the objections he has had to it, and endeavor to gain partizans in support of them, we might prevent its being generally received, and thereby lose all the salutary effects & great advantages resulting naturally in our favor among foreign Nations as well." He recognized that openly expressing criticisms of the Constitution and attempting to garner support for those views could create divisions and undermine the unity needed to establish the new government.

Franklin's speech addressed the delegates who refused to sign the Constitution, including Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry, who objected due to the absence of a Bill of Rights. Franklin's advanced age and infirmities added weight to his words, as he spoke from a lifetime of experience and wisdom. He emphasized that his opinions on the Constitution's errors would remain within the walls of the Convention, sacrificing his personal views for the greater public good.

Franklin's reputation as a scientist and statesman, coupled with his wit and anecdotes, played a crucial role in alleviating tensions among the delegates. His support for the Constitution carried significant influence, and Federalists highlighted his deference to the collective wisdom of the Convention as an example for the public to follow during the ratification process. Franklin's closing speech, with its appeal for unity and compromise, became a pivotal moment in the adoption of the United States Constitution.

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He believed no other convention would produce a better document

Benjamin Franklin, despite his ailing health, played a crucial role in the Constitutional Convention of 1787. With his reputation as a scientist and statesman, Franklin lent considerable credibility to the proceedings. His speeches, often laced with anecdotes and humour, helped ease tensions among the delegates.

Franklin's stance on the Constitution was nuanced. In his longest speech at the Convention, he acknowledged that the document was "'near to perfection.'" However, he also recognised that there were aspects he did not approve of, 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." This humility and openness to change demonstrated Franklin's willingness to compromise and evolve in his thinking.

Franklin's belief that no other convention could produce a better document stemmed from his understanding of the challenges faced by the young nation. He recognised that the Convention had achieved something extraordinary, bringing the states together and preventing their separation. Franklin's pragmatism and commitment to the public good led him to consent to the Constitution, despite its imperfections. He understood that seeking perfection could lead to inaction and potentially jeopardise the unity of the nation.

In his closing speech at the Convention, Franklin, then eighty-one years old, eloquently expressed his thoughts: "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 wisdom and experience shone through as he urged delegates to set aside their differences for the greater good.

Franklin's support for the Constitution carried significant weight, and his encouragement for all delegates to sign it was pivotal. While some saw his stance as a resignation to an imperfect document, others viewed it as a wise acknowledgement of the challenges faced and a pragmatic decision for the nation's future. Franklin's belief that no other convention could produce a better document reflected his realistic outlook and his desire to unite the states under a shared governing framework.

He urged the delegates to sign despite their objections

Benjamin Franklin, despite his own objections to the Constitution, urged the delegates to sign it. In his longest speech at the Convention, the 81-year-old Franklin, who was afflicted with gout and a kidney stone, began on a note of humility, acknowledging that there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of. However, he urged the delegates to set aside their objections for the greater good, stating that he consented to the Constitution because he did not expect anything better and was unsure if a better document could be produced.

Franklin's speech was addressed to the Convention's president, George Washington, and aimed at convincing the three delegates who had refused to sign—Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry—to abandon their opposition. These delegates refused to sign due to the absence of a Bill of Rights in the original Constitution, among other issues. Franklin's speech acknowledged the imperfections of the document, but he ultimately believed that no other convention would produce a better one.

Franklin's reputation as a scientist and statesman lent significant credibility to the Convention. His speeches were often infused with anecdotes and humour, helping to alleviate tension among the delegates. While some saw his support for the Constitution as a warning, given his concerns about it, others viewed his deference to the collective wisdom as an example for the public to follow.

Franklin's motion regarding the form of the signing passed 10-1, and thirty-nine names were eventually appended to the final document, including Franklin's. Despite the disagreements among the delegates, the signing of the Constitution did not legally enact it. It required ratification from nine of the thirteen states to go into effect.

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