A Founding Father's Advice

On this day in 1787, the fledgling United States ratified the document that would become the cornerstone of the new American Government from then until the present: The U. S. Constitution.

Throughout American history, the Constitution has been often tested and has occasionally been found wanting. The founding fathers knew this would be the case, which is why they included a procedure to amend the document. Even with this ability, disagreements and interpretations have often lead to conflict, both within governing bodies, such as the Brooks-Sumner Affair of 1856, as well as outside government.

Lately, the disagreements and debates we have all been having have become almost as divisive and disrespectful as they were in the mid 19th century. I have read articles and opinion pieces that believe that we are just as divisive, or more so, than we were just before and after the Civil Way

Therefore, I am not writing this blogpost to reinvigorate some debate using my own personal talking points. I have already concluded that nothing I can write, say, or do will change anybody’s mind or beliefs. We as a society have become extremely stubborn and unwilling to listen to the positions or knowledge of others. I include myself in this assessment.

Instead, on this anniversary, I decided to let the words of one of our Founding Fathers offer a lesson that everyone in America should reflect upon:

Monday, September 17, 1787, was the last day of the Constitutional Convention. Pennsylvania delegate Benjamin Franklin wanted to give a short speech to the Convention prior to the signing of the final draft of the Constitution. At 81 years old, Franklin was too weak to make the speech himself. He had fellow Pennsylvanian James Wilson deliver the speech.

The following is as reported in Madison's notes on the Convention for Monday, September 17, 1787.

"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 — Il n'y a que moi qui a 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 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 as among ourselves, from our real or apparent unanimity.

Much of the strength & 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 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 & confirmed by the Conventions) wherever our influence may extend, and turn our future thoughts & endeavors to the means of having it well administred.” (Speech of Benjamin Franklin)

If a person as wise and intelligent as Dr. Franklin can acknowledge that

1. He has on occasion changed his opinions based on new knowledge and 
2. His own knowledge may not be perfect.

Perhaps more of us should consider doing the same.

-- Food for Thought