Benjamin Franklin's speech before Constitutional Convention
I posted this in another thread. But it is so awesome, I felt I could'nt leave it buried so deep.
This speech has had lasting impact on my life.
DOC'r FRANKLIN rose with a speech in his hand, which he had reduced to writing for his own conveniency, and which Mr. Wilson read in the words following: (Because of Franklin's frailty, he was unable to stand at length to read. He had to be carried in his chair to proceedings.)
Disapproving and Accepting the Constitution
Mr. President:
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.
Most men indeed as well as most sects in Religion, think themselves in possession of all truth, and that wherever others differ from them it is so far error. Steele a Protestant in a Dedication tells the Pope, that the only difference between our Churches in their opinions of the certainty of their doctrines is, the Church of Rome is infallible and the Church of England is never in the wrong. But though many private persons think almost as highly of their own infallibility as of that of their sect, few express it so naturally as a certain French lady, who in a dispute with her sister, said "I don't know how it happens, Sister but I meet with no body but myself, that's always in the right. "Je ne trouve que moi qui aie toujours raison."
In these sentiments, Sir, 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, and 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. 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. If every one of us in returning to our Constituents were to report the objections he has had to it, and endeavor to gain partisans in support of them, we might prevent its being generally received, and thereby lose all the salutary effects and great advantages resulting naturally in our favor among foreign Nations as well as among ourselves, from our real or apparent unanimity.
Much of the strength and efficiency of any Government in procuring and securing happiness to the people, depends, on opinion, on the general opinion of the goodness of the Government, as well as well as of the wisdom and integrity of its Governors. I hope therefore that for our own sakes as a part of the people, and for the sake of posterity, we shall act heartily and unanimously in recommending this Constitution (if approved by Congress and confirmed by the Conventions) wherever our influence may extend, and turn our future thoughts and endeavors to the means of having it well administered.
On the whole, Sir, I can not 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.
He then moved that the Constitution be signed by the members . . .
And they did.
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AKA Dave Lingner ChristianOutdoorsman.com Equipping men for the Ultimate Destination[/size]
RE: Benjamin Franklin's speech before Constitutional Convention
An amazing man, Benjamin Franklin, we could use him today. I wonder though, if he were alive today, would we recognize his brilliance and would his talents be put to good use? The men that lead the revolution and those that wrote the constitution were undeniably the best available at the time. Men of principle and dedicated to a cause. Would they be able to lead us today or have we become so self centered and unprincipled as to be incapable of recognizing or accepting enlightened leadership?
RE: Benjamin Franklin's speech before Constitutional Convention
Coastie, we (as a nation) would reject them... in fact we reject them daily as we disregard the constitution and the lives sacrificed for it's inception...
I found this quote to be quite prophetic...
Quote:
and 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.
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AKA Dave Lingner ChristianOutdoorsman.com Equipping men for the Ultimate Destination[/size]
RE: Benjamin Franklin's speech before Constitutional Convention
Hip, I am not doubting what you say. But can you provide us with sources on that information? When you make slanderous accusations, I think you should back it up with credible sources. If you cannot or will not, I will discount it completely.
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AKA Dave Lingner ChristianOutdoorsman.com Equipping men for the Ultimate Destination[/size]
Benjamin Franklin's speech before Constitutional Convention
