After months of intense debate and disagreement, not one of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention stepped forward to sign our Constitution because not every word –not every phrase—pleased every man there. They all had disagreements with many of its clauses and principles of government. It was not until these words of Benjamin Franklin were read in the hearing of the delegates did 39 men or the 42 men present finally step to forward to sign the Constitution so it could be sent to the States for ratification.
Benjamin Franklin: Speech in Constitutional Convention, Excerpts
17 September 1787
Delegate Benjamin Franklin wrote: “Mr. President: I confess that there are several parts of the 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 subjects, which I once thought I was 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…
“In these sentiments, sir, agree to this Constitution with all its faults if they are such because I think a General Government necessary for
us-…and believe this is likely to well-administered for a course of years and can only end in despotism as other forms have done before 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?”
“…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…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.-
Benjamin Franklin
Click here to read full speech
Note: The final session of the Constitutional Convention on 17 September began with the reading and correction of the engrossed Constitution. Then, according to Maryland delegate James McHenry, “Dr. Franklin put a paper into Mr.James Willson’s hand to read containing his reasons for assenting to the constitution. It was plain, insinuating persuasive. Two days later the Pennsylvania Gazette reported that the speech was “extremely sensible” and that Franklin’s support of the Constitution would recommend it to all his Pennsylvania friends.
Submitted by: Frankie S. Anderson, Nationally-Known Lecturer, and Educator
https://wecanbeheroesfoundation.org/speakers-directory/
Reference: http://www.benjamin-franklin-history.org/constitutional-convention/