In memory of Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, at the signing of the United States Constitution:

.Set: Amor Patriae, Benjamin Franklin, Law, Philosophy, Philosophy-Political, Politics, Primary Objective, Vision and Strategy, Wisdom

April 26, 2023

Gregg Zegarelli

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In memory of Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, at the signing of the United States Constitution:

[S]ir, 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.

I believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and 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.

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?

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.

~ Benjamin Franklin, The Federalist Papers, Signing of the Constitution, Sept. 17, 1787

From the notes of Dr. James McHenry, one of Maryland s delegates, it was written that, at the close of the Constitutional Convention, a Mrs. Powel anxiously awaited outside for the results. As Benjamin Franklin emerged, she asked him directly: