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The Constitutional Convention was in a deadlock over how large and small states could be represented equally.
Some delegates gave up and left.
Then, on JUNE 28, 1787, 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin spoke and shortly after, the U.S. Constitution became a reality.
As recorded by James Madison, Franklin stated:
"Groping as it were in
the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it
when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not
hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights...
In the beginning of the
Contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had
daily prayer in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were
heard and they were graciously answered.
All of us who were
engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a
Superintending Providence in our favor...And have we now forgotten that
powerful Friend? or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?"
Franklin concluded:
"We have been assured,
Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that 'except the Lord build the House,
they labor in vain that build it.'...
I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed...no better than the Builders of Babel."
Ben Franklin warned the
Constitutional Convention, 1787, of what the future held, in his address
on the Dangers of a Salaried Bureaucracy:
"Sir, there are two
passions which have a powerful influence in the affairs of men. These
are ambition and avarice - the love of power and the love of money...
And of what kind are the
men that will strive for this profitable preeminence, through all the
bustle of cabal, the heat of contention, the infinite mutual abuse of
parties, tearing to pieces the best of characters?
It will not be the wise and moderate, the lovers of peace and good order, the men fittest for the trust.
It will be the bold and
the violent, the men of strong passions and indefatigable activity in
their selfish pursuits. These will thrust themselves into your
government and be your rulers...
Besides these
evils...there will always be a party for giving more to the rulers,
that the rulers may be able, in return, to give more to them.
All history informs us,
there has been in every state and kingdom a constant kind of warfare
between the governing and the governed; the one striving to obtain more
for its support, and the other to pay less.
And this has alone
occasioned great convulsions, actual civil wars, ending either in
dethroning of the princes or enslaving of the people..."
Franklin continued:
"We see the revenues of princes constantly increasing, and we see that they are never satisfied, but always in want of more."
The more the people are
discontented with the oppression of taxes, the greater need the prince
has of money to distribute among his partisans, and pay the troops
that are to suppress all resistance, and enable him to plunder at
pleasure.
There is scarce a king
in a hundred who would not, if he could, follow the example of Pharaoh -
get first all the people's money, then all their lands, and then make
them and their children servants for ever..."
Franklin added:
"There is a natural inclination in mankind to kingly government.
It sometimes relieves
them from aristocratic domination. They would rather have one tyrant
than five hundred. It gives more of the appearance of equality among
citizens; and that they like."
Ben Franklin concluded:
"I am apprehensive,
therefore - perhaps too apprehensive - that the government of the
States may, in future times, end in a monarchy...
A king will the sooner be set over us."
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